CITY COMMISSION UNDERGOES CHANGES
THREE RESIGN DUE TO NEW STATE REQUIREMENTS
19 DECEMBER 2023
At the City of Cedar Key City Commission meeting last evening, December 19, 2023, three of the city’s five commissioners declared their intention to resign because of the recently changed, far more onerous Financial Disclosure form required by the State of Florida.
RESIGNATIONS
On December 14, Heath Davis published his intention to resign. On December 15, Susan Rosenthal published her intention to resign. On December 19, at the commission meeting, Nancy Sera declared that she had made up her mind that evening to resign.
On December 14, Heath Davis published his intention to resign. On December 15, Susan Rosenthal published her intention to resign. On December 19, at the commission meeting, Nancy Sera declared that she had made up her mind that evening to resign.
The two remaining commission members, Sue Colson and Jim Wortham, (who attended by telephone) do not constitute a forum, leaving the city without the ability or authority to do business.
QUORUM NECESSARY
Because of the lack of a forum, Heath Davis postponed his resignation date to beyond the next commission meeting, thereby allowing the city to do its necessary official business. Following Davis, Nancy Sera postponed her resignation date. Susan Rosenthal stood by her resignation letter.
Because of the lack of a forum, Heath Davis postponed his resignation date to beyond the next commission meeting, thereby allowing the city to do its necessary official business. Following Davis, Nancy Sera postponed her resignation date. Susan Rosenthal stood by her resignation letter.
Because the commission had a quorum that evening, they were able to accomplish several issues of paramount importance. Among the issues were: approving a support letter for a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant involving large amounts of money for the city; finalizing and approving last fiscal year’s budget.
MEETING TO RESOLVE OPEN SEATS
Another Special Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the Nature Coast Biological Station’s Third Floor Classroom at 5 pm, to complete any unfinished business and deal with the three open seats.
Another Special Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the Nature Coast Biological Station’s Third Floor Classroom at 5 pm, to complete any unfinished business and deal with the three open seats.
At the meeting, a new mayor and vice-mayor will be selected. Applicants for the open seats will be processed.
OPEN SEATS UNTIL APRIL ELECTION
Three open seats will become available after the December meeting, in January 2024. Applicants should see City Clerk Jennifer Sylvester for the state and county mandated qualification form, which attests to one’s residency, and other specifics. Application forms will be due by Wednesday, December 27.
Three open seats will become available after the December meeting, in January 2024. Applicants should see City Clerk Jennifer Sylvester for the state and county mandated qualification form, which attests to one’s residency, and other specifics. Application forms will be due by Wednesday, December 27.
Applicants will have to complete and submit the new Form 6 Financial Disclosure document to the state even if they serve for only one meeting.
All three applicants will serve until the next election, which is scheduled for an April 3, 2024 vote, three months away.
OPEN SEATS FOR APRIL ELECTION
All three seats will be open again and voted upon on April 3.
All three seats will be open again and voted upon on April 3.
Davis’s seat will be for a one-year term, as Davis had completed only one year of a two-year term. Sera’s and Rosenthal’s seats will be for two-year terms, as both had completed their terms and were up for reelection for another two-year term.
All commissioners must complete Form 6.
FORM 1 AND FORM 6
In past years, commissioners were required to complete and submit the state’s Financial Disclosure Form 1. That document did not require specific dollar amounts nor detail when asking for assets and liabilities.
In past years, commissioners were required to complete and submit the state’s Financial Disclosure Form 1. That document did not require specific dollar amounts nor detail when asking for assets and liabilities.
Quite the contrary, Form 1 has been replaced with Form 6 which does require specific detail of all assets and liabilities and is computer based. Though Form 1 and Form 6 were open to public request, the computer-based housing of the information has left many additionally uncomfortable. They fear bad actors, hackers, and misuse of information.
For more information about the forms, click below for the Florida League of Cities PowerPoint explication:
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.
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