In August City Council voted 4:3 to join more than two dozen Florida jurisdictions in a lawsuit challenging certain parts of a new State law, Senate Bill 180.
The bold move by City Council has paid off with Senator Nick DiCeglie, the sponsor of SB 180, quoted as calling the law “an overreach” and saying he plans to file a follow-on bill to limit overreach.
The Bill was developed ostensibly to support those rebuilding from Hurricane’s Irma and Ian, preventing local cities and towns from making burdensome land code changes. But the Bill goes beyond disaster recovery, and is instead a sweeping preemption that strips local governments of authority over building codes, zoning restrictions, density, and height. Decisions once made by residents through their elected City Council would instead be dictated by the state legislature, handing power to outsiders and special interests.
Home Rule is the constitutional right of Florida cities to govern themselves on matters of local concern, unencumbered by state lawmakers. It is the guarantee that those who live with the consequences make the decisions. Three Senate Bills that diminish local authority have been introduced in the last three years. Defending Home Rule protects our local democracy and the voice of the residents.
Now a Senate Bill Specifically Aimed at our City Threatens our Largest Asset
The Naples Municipal Airport is the City’s largest asset, wholly owned by the City and managed by City residents who are appointed by City Council to the Naples Airport Authority (NAA).
However, Senator Kathleen Passidomo and representatives Yvette Benarroch, Lauren Melo, and Adam Botana have filed a State Bill to change the management of our Naples Municipal Airport, replacing City Council’s authority to appoint City residents to the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) with a Collier County election.
The State seeks influence over this City asset by guaranteeing NAA seats to those in the County and by replacing NAA appointment authority from City Council to a County Election where County voters outnumber City resident voters by 15:1.
The interference diminishes the right of City voters to govern themselves without the State or outside interests putting their thumb on the scale.
Read about the impact of the Airport Bill HERE Visit our Home Rule Page to read prior Bulletins HERE
Ask City Council to support your rights, and to take action to defeat this bill: citycouncil@naplesgov.com
