FLC Presidential Updates
President Marks' Five-point Plan for Florida's Cities
During the Florida League of Cities 83rd Annual Conference, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks was sworn in as the League’s 88th president. In his installation speech, President Marks announced his platform for the upcoming year. An excerpt of his speech follows. Look for additional information as the platform is further developed.
"I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about our future and my vision, and lay out an agenda for the upcoming year."
Over the past few years, our cities have faced some significant legislative and constitutional challenges from both the legislative and executive branches of state government.
These challenges have been tantamount to an allout assault on Home Rule. And while we have been successful in defeating a number of ill-advised bills, legislative initiatives and executive policies, we know that more is possible, and in these uncertain economic times, more is yet to come.
If we are going to meet these challenges, we cannot sit and wait. We must be proactive. It is not enough to react when confronted with a challenge. And let us not miss an opportunity in this election year to let those elected officials – and those who are seeking election – know where we stand. For the first time in more than 100 years, all four
Cabinet positions are open, and there are no incumbents. Many seats in the House and Senate will be up for grabs. We need to find out who are our friends . . . who can we count on for support.
So today, I propose a five-point plan that I believe will help our cities succeed.
Point 1: Keep Local Government Local
City government is closest to the people, and we know best how to solve our own problems. There is no “one size fits all” solution to the challenges facing Florida’s cities. That is why our state’s government should focus on state-level issues and let the free market of ideas take hold at the local municipal level. That should dictate how we provide services to our citizens – not some artificial, ill-advised, not-well-thought-out idea.
The freedom for cities to operate with minimal state interference is critical to developing solutions that work for all Floridians. Respect for citizens’ right to Home Rule and local self-government – that is the authority of local government, our cities, counties and school districts, and the community stewards who are elected therein – are imperative for a representative democracy to function.
We will actively seek to decrease the involvement or interference of state government in municipal affairs. We will vigorously oppose legislation that increases the involvement of state government in municipal affairs. In short, we will support policies that allow municipalities to govern themselves with minimal state interference.
Point 2: Help Cities Succeed: When Florida’s Cities Succeed, Florida Succeeds!
We all know that when Florida cities succeed, our citizens prosper and succeed! A key element of that success is sustainable economic growth.
The prospect for Florida’s economic growth starts with recognizing the value of the economy at the city level. As populations move “inward” to revitalized urban areas, new growth, new development and new ideas are taking hold in our cities.
I would like to outline what I believe are three of the building blocks for Florida’s economic future.
A major component will be investing in the infrastructure of our cities through the expansion of concepts and initiatives such as the deployment and adoption of broadband technology, the creation of new economies with green initiatives, and investments in a new creative approach to transportation.
Therefore, we will focus on supporting policies that strengthen and fund community redevelopment agencies that invest in core cities’ redevelopment.
Our lobbying efforts also will include support of funding for local transportation projects that move people and not vehicles, and expansion of broadband in unserved and underserved communities. And we will continue to seek funding for city green and energy-saving initiatives.
This fundamentally means we must embrace advanced technologies, understand the relationship between smart growth and transportation, and have executive and legislative leadership that will give our state a meaningful energy policy.
Point 3: When It Comes to Cities... Citizens Come First Because our cities are the government closest to the people, they are truly of the people, by the people and for the people!
Our citizens work, raise their families, worship and live in cities where they value the quality of life that they have chosen. The reason why so many city residents enjoy a high quality of life is because of the stewardship provided by our cities that includes a broad array of services as well as transparency and direct accountability of each person’s tax dollars.
But there have been so many efforts by state and federal government to disrupt the relationship between citizens and their city elected officials’ authority to make decisions. These efforts interfere with a city’s ability to provide for the quality of life expected by the citizens. It also interferes with the people’s pursuit of a high quality of life and the right of self-determination. What can we do
We will continue to vigorously oppose policies that impose arbitrary caps on:
- Property assessments
- Municipal expenditures
- Local revenues
We must let our citizens control their own destinies! Again, we will fight for a tax structure that is equitable and offers flexibility to provide the level of services that our citizens desire.
Point 4: We Will Build a New Partnership
While we know that cities are closest to the people, some of the trust that had been fostered over the years has diminished. No one is perfect, and mistakes have been made. But we must seek to build new partnerships that create an environment of trust and cooperation and that strengthen the bond between citizens and all levels of their government.
We also want and will rigorously seek better intergovernmental relationships between state and city government.
And, we will continue to expand opportunities for citizens to engage their government through more civic education.
Moreover, we will create a new framework for evaluating policies and their impact on cities.
Point 5: What Happens in Tallahassee Should Stay in Tallahassee
State government is full of so-called “great” ideas. But too often, Tallahassee lawmakers have “great” ideas that they want someone else to pay for. Too often that “someone else” is our cities. These initiatives may be worthwhile . . . as state priorities, but they should be funded fully with state resources and should not irresponsibly tap our local tax dollars.
Many costly initiatives coming from state government allow state politicians to take credit for what may be good ideas. But those same politicians do so with no risk because they force local governments to find a way to pay for them. Unfortunately, many times the only way to pay for those state mandates is by forcing local governments to raise taxes.
So, we will continue to vigorously fight against unfunded mandates. Moreover, we will support policies that eliminate loopholes and require full funding of state initiatives and mandates to cities. Furthermore, we will continue to oppose policies that diminish our control over things like municipal employee pension plans.
I know that this is an aggressive agenda. But united, we can achieve our goals!
And, I will work with you and our League’s staff to see these issues addressed. I will be calling on you to help us in our efforts. We must continue to stand together as city officials. These are issues that require our immediate attention! In this election year, we must get the attention of others.
These are issues that can and must be addressed by those seeking elected office.
Today, I ask each of you for your support and dedication in making this vision your agenda. I will rely greatly on your support, your ideas and your commitment to our League goals.
I am deeply honored to be here today and grateful for this opportunity to serve as your new president. I look forward to working with each of you. Your support and involvement in the year ahead will be the key!
President Mark's Five-point Plan PDF