Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ETHICS; AMENDING SECTION 1-19 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); SUPERSEDING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Senator Steve Geller)
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Why Action is Necessary
Board action is necessary to enact an Ordinance.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows for the Board’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
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☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
The Broward County Code of Ethics generally requires County Commissioners and elected municipal officials in Broward County (collectively, “Elected Officials”) to disclose their campaign fundraising activities for other candidates for elected office. Disclosure is currently required when an Elected Official is listed as a member of a host committee or has signed an endorsement card that authorizes the Elected Official’s name to be used for fundraising activities, even when the Elected Official has not personally solicited contributions to the candidate’s campaign. Disclosure is not currently required when an Elected Official merely endorses a candidate or speaks at a fundraising event but does not solicit funds. These provisions fail to establish a bright line as to when disclosure is required, thereby creating a risk of inadvertent violation.
The proposed Ordinance would modify these disclosure requirements by requiring disclosure only when an Elected Official personally solicits campaign contributions for another candidate and not when an Elected Official has merely signed a candidate endorsement card or been listed as a member of a host committee.
Timely notice has been published in accordance with the applicable requirements to permit the Board’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Source of Additional Information
Annika E. Ashton, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and Budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.