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Home Hot Topic Ethics experts aren’t worried about resignations of city officials over new law

Ethics experts aren’t worried about resignations of city officials over new law

by Celia

A wave of resignations by city officials is sweeping across Florida in response to a recently enacted law mandating enhanced financial disclosures. The exodus, coinciding with the implementation of the law on January 1st, is attributed to concerns ranging from health issues to opposition against perceived invasions of privacy.

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The legislation, Senate Bill 774, now requires city officials to complete an annual Form 6, disclosing details about their assets, liabilities, sources of income, and net worth. While such financial disclosures have long been mandatory for state legislators, county commissioners, school board members, sheriffs, and other constitutional officers, this marks the first instance of its imposition on city officials.

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City officials cite the invasive nature of the information required in Form 6 as a primary reason for their resignations. They contend that the law exposes their financial details to the public, triggering privacy concerns.

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Ben Wilcox, the research director for Integrity Florida, a government watchdog supporting the measure, emphasizes that the purpose of Form 6 is to enable the public to scrutinize elected city officials for potential conflicts of interest, particularly when their votes involve substantial financial considerations.

“If you’re seeking a public office, you owe it to the public to make this personal financial information public so the public can hold you accountable,” says Wilcox, aligning with the fundamental principles of the Sunshine Amendment, which underlines the notion that a public office is a public trust.

Caroline Klancke, the executive director of the Florida Ethics Institute, recognizes the coverage of city officials resigning but views it as a minor fraction of those who have chosen to forego public service to avoid the disclosure requirements. Klancke welcomes the breakthrough aspect of the law that mandates electronic filing, making financial disclosures accessible through a free, searchable database after 2024, eliminating the previous need for payment or waiting periods.

While some city officials express opposition to increased transparency, citing privacy concerns, others, such as Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, advocate for financial transparency, asserting that it fosters trust in government. Dailey had actively supported the adoption of Form 6 requirements in Tallahassee ahead of the statewide mandate, emphasizing the public’s right to be aware of their elected officials’ financial interests. The Florida League of Cities, however, opposed the measure last year.

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