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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to Town of Fort White, Columbia 2
County; amending ch. 57 -1334, Laws of Florida; 3
deleting boundaries; revising general powers to borrow 4
money; revising the selection and terms of members of 5
the Town Council; providing for the registration of 6
voters; providing for the salaries of the Mayor and 7
members of the Town Council, powers of the town, 8
vacancies in Town Council, and the date of the first 9
meeting of each newly elected Town Council; removing 10
provisions relating to special meetings, ordinanc es 11
and resolutions, and publication of ordinances and 12
resolutions; removing provisions relating to the 13
municipal court; providing that the Columbia County 14
court system will handle all matters requiring court 15
hearings or appearances; revising provisions rel ating 16
to the police department and the fire department; 17
providing and revising requirements for the Town 18
Clerk; removing provisions relating to the town 19
auditor, town tax assessor, town treasurer, and tax 20
administration; revising and providing requirements 21
for the election of candidates to the office of Town 22
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Council; removing a provision requiring elections to 23
be conducted in a specified manner; authorizing the 24
Town Council to agree to canvass the returns and the 25
results of an election; requiring the Town C ouncil to 26
review the returns and declare a winner; revising the 27
terms of office of councilmembers; providing an 28
effective date. 29
30
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 31
32
Section 1. Section 5, subsection (25) of section 7, 33
sections 8 and 10, subsections (8), (9), and (13) of section 12, 34
sections 13, 15, 16, 20, and 22 through 82 of chapter 57 -1334, 35
Laws of Florida, are amended to read: 36
Section 5. BOUNDARIES. The corporate limits of the Town of 37
Fort White, a municipal corporation in Columbia County, Florida, 38
shall extend to and include all certain territories 39
comprehending and comprising within Section 8(5)(a) the 40
following described limits, to -wit: Commence at the center of 41
the intersection of Florida State Highway No. 47 and Unit ed 42
States Highway 27 and run due South three -quarters of a mile, 43
thence run due North a mile and a half, thence run due West a 44
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mile and a half, thence run due South a mile and a half, thence 45
run due East three-quarters of a mile to the point of beginning . 46
Section 7. GENERAL POWERS. The town shall have the powers, 47
functions and immunities granted to municipal corporations by 48
the constitution and general laws of this state, as now or 49
hereinafter existing, together with the implied powers necessary 50
to carry into execution all the powers granted. The enumeration 51
of particular powers by this charter shall not be deemed to be 52
exclusive, and in addition to the powers enumerated herein or 53
implied hereby, or appropriate to the exercise of such powers, 54
it is intended that the town shall have and exercise all powers 55
which it would be competent for this charter specifically to 56
enumerate. The following are among the powers of the said town, 57
subject to the limitations hereinafter expressed: 58
(25) To borrow money for a period not longer than the 59
remainder of the fiscal year in which the loan is made , and this 60
power shall be in addition to the other powers to borrow money 61
set forth in this charter, or granted by the general laws of 62
this state; 63
Section 8. NUMBER, ELECTION SELECTION, TERM. 64
(1) The Town Council shall consist of five (5) electors 65
who shall be designated as follows: 66
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67
Mayor 68
Councilmember Councilman Seat One 69
Councilmember Councilman Seat Two 70
Councilmember Councilman Seat Three 71
Councilmember Councilman Seat Four 72
73
(2) The Mayor and the other four councilmen shall be 74
elected at large, and shall hold office for four (4) three (3) 75
years. The members of the Town Council shall be elected by a 76
vote of the qualified voters from respective districts in which 77
councilmembers run for office. Councilmembers shall be elected 78
for a term of four (4) years. The election of the Mayor and 79
councilmembers shall be in the manner provided for in this 80
charter and under general law except as otherwise provided for 81
in this charter, and shall be elected in the manner provided for 82
in this charter. 83
(3) The term of office of all members of the Town Council 84
shall commence at the beginning of the next regular or special 85
meeting after the election results are final in accordance wit h 86
this charter 8:00 O'clock P. M. on the fourth Tuesday of August 87
of the year in which such councilmen are elected . 88
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(4) The first elections of the Mayor and Town 89
Councilmembers under this provision shall be held on the first 90
(1st) Tuesday of November 202 0 and shall affect those elected on 91
that date for their terms of office. The Mayor shall be elected 92
for a term of four (4) years, and an election for the seat of 93
Mayor shall be held every four (4) years thereafter. 94
Councilmembers from Districts 3 and 4 sha ll be elected for a 95
term of four (4) years, and thereafter said district seats shall 96
be filled every four (4) years. Councilmembers from Districts 1 97
and 2 shall be elected for an initial term of two (2) years and 98
thereafter shall be elected for a term of f our (4) years. 99
(5)(a) The districts from which members of the Town 100
Council of the Town of Fort White shall be elected are defined 101
as follows: 102
1. District 1: Start on the town's northern boundary at SW 103
State Road 47 and go south on State Road 47 to US H ighway 27 to 104
SW County Road 18, thence east on County Road 18 to the Town's 105
boundary, including all property in said northeast quadrant of 106
the Town of Fort White. 107
2. District 2: Start on the town's eastern boundary at SW 108
County Road 18, thence west to SW US Highway 27, thence go south 109
on SW US Highway 27 to the town's southern boundary, including 110
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all of the property in said southeast quadrant of the Town of 111
Fort White. 112
3. District 3: Start on the town's western boundary as SW 113
Wilson Springs Road and the nce go east on Wilson Springs Road to 114
SW Skye Avenue thence go north on SW Skye Avenue to SW Jordan 115
Street, thence go east on SW Jordan Street to SW Highway 237 116
thence go east and southeast on SW US Highway 27 to the town's 117
southern boundary, including all of the property in said 118
southwest quadrant of the Town of Fort White. 119
4. District 4: Start on the Town's northern boundary at 120
State Road 47 and thence go south on State Road 47 to US Highway 121
27, thence go west on US Highway 27 to SW Jordan Street, thenc e 122
go west on SW Jordan Street to SW Skye Avenue, thence to south 123
on SW Skye Avenue to SW Wilson Springs Road, thence go west on 124
SW Wilson Springs Road to the Town's western boundary, including 125
all of the property in said northwest quadrant of the Town of 126
Fort White. 127
(b) The districts provided in subparagraphs (a)1. -4. are 128
intended to be a division of the Town of Fort White into four 129
(4) districts which are to have equal numbers of citizens and 130
equal numbers of voters. It is the further intent of this 131
charter amendment that the boundaries of said districts shall be 132
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changed when necessary to provide an approximate numerical 133
equalization of citizens and voters in each of said districts. 134
It is contemplated that the said changes will be made only when 135
differences are substantial and it is not contemplated that said 136
districts will always have, or will ever have, the same number 137
of citizens and voters without any variation. Said changes shall 138
be made in the same manner as other amendments to this charter. 139
(c) Only qualified voters residing in a particular 140
district shall be allowed to vote in the election of the 141
Councilmember to represent said district. However, any citizen 142
of the Town of Fort White otherwise qualified may run for the 143
office of Mayor or Councilmem ber from any district, regardless 144
of whether said member resides in the particular district in 145
which he or she runs for office. 146
(6) The registration of voters shall be as provided in 147
this charter. Registration of voters in order to qualify to vote 148
in elections shall be made in the office of the Supervisor of 149
Elections of Columbia County, Florida. The registration of a 150
voter shall include a designation as to the district in which 151
said voter resides within the Town of Fort White. Registration 152
of voters shall be made at least thirty (30) days before the day 153
of any town election. An oath shall be given by the registration 154
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officer or the person appointed to make such registrations by 155
the Town Council, which oath shall be that the information given 156
by the registrant is true and correct. The information required 157
shall be that required by this charter, including information 158
regarding the residence of the voter for the purpose of 159
determining whether said registrant is a qualified voter of the 160
Town of Fort White, and for the purpose of determining in which 161
district of this Town of Fort White the registrant resides. 162
Section 10. SALARY. The Mayor shall may receive a minimum 163
salary of $600 per month and members of to be fixed by the Town 164
Council of the Town of Fort White shall receive a minimum salary 165
of $200 provided, however, the salary of the Mayor shall not 166
exceed Twenty ($20.00) Dollars per month to be paid on the first 167
(1st) day of each and every month hereafter. The Town Council 168
shall set the salaries of the M ayor and councilmembers by 169
ordinance enacted pursuant to general laws which shall provide 170
notice to the members of the public regarding the readings of 171
such ordinance and the proposed enactment thereof. This action 172
shall be effective immediately upon adopt ion. 173
Section 12. POWERS. Except as otherwise provided in this 174
charter, all powers of the town, and the determination of all 175
matters of policy shall be vested in the Town Council. Without 176
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limitation of the foregoing, the Town Council shall have power 177
to: 178
(8) Remit, upon the recommendation of a county judge the 179
municipal judge, fines or other penalties imposed by the 180
municipal court; 181
(9) Pass ordinances and laws for the preservation of the 182
public peace and order, and impose penalties for the violatio n 183
thereof; provided, that the maximum penalty to be imposed shall 184
be a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and imprisonment 185
for a period of time not longer than sixty days ; 186
(13) Appoint, remove and fix the compensation of the Town 187
Attorney, municipal judge, town prosecutor, town auditor, town 188
clerk, town tax assessor, and all other town employees; 189
Section 13. VACANCIES IN TOWN COUNCIL. In the event of a 190
Any vacancy in the office of the Mayor or a member of the Town 191
Council, the remaining members of the Town Council shall appoint 192
a qualified citizen to fill the balance of the term of the 193
vacancy of either the Mayor or the Town Council seat. Such 194
appointment shall be made within sixty (60) days of the vacancy 195
unless such time period is extended by the Town Council. In the 196
event that there is not a quorum to appoint a replacement for a 197
vacancy, within a reasonable time, the seat of Mayor or member 198
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of the Town Council be filled until the next regular municipal 199
election by vote of the; provided, that if such vacancy is not 200
filled within ten (10) days after it shall have occurred, it 201
shall be filled by appointment of the Governor. Any such 202
appointments shall continue until the end of the unexpired term 203
of such seat and until a successor is elected and s worn into 204
office. 205
Section 15. INDUCTION OF TOWN COUNCIL INTO OFFICE; MEETING 206
OF TOWN COUNCIL. The first meeting of each newly elected Town 207
Council, for induction into office, shall be held at 6:00 8:00 208
O'clock P. M., on the fourth (4th) Monday in the mo nth day 209
following its election, after which the Town Council shall meet 210
regularly at such times as may be prescribed by its rules, but 211
not less frequently than once each month. All meetings of the 212
Town Council shall be open to the public. 213
Section 16. SPECIAL MEETINGS: HOW CALLED. The Mayor, or any 214
two (2) members of the Town Council may call special meetings of 215
the Town Council, upon at least six (6) hours written notice to 216
each member, served personally or left at his usual place of 217
residence or place o f business. All meetings of the Town Council 218
and of the committee thereof shall be public, and any citizens 219
shall have access to the minutes and records thereof at all 220
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reasonable times. 221
Section 20. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. Every proposed 222
ordinance or resolution shall be introduced in written or 223
printed form and shall not contain more than one (1) subject, 224
but general appropriation ordinance may contain the various 225
subjects and accounts for which moneys are to be appropriated. 226
The enacting clause of al l ordinances shall be "Be It Enacted by 227
The People of the Town of Fort White, Florida." No ordinance, 228
unless it shall be an emergency measure, shall be passed until 229
it shall have been read at two (2) meetings, not less than one 230
week apart, or unless the re quirement of such readings has been 231
dispensed with by unanimous vote of the Town Council . 232
Section 22. AUTHENTICATING: PUBLICATION. Every ordinance or 233
resolution shall, upon its final passage be recorded in a book 234
kept for the purpose and shall be authen ticated by the 235
signatures of the presiding officer and the clerk of the Town 236
Council. Every ordinance of a general or permanent nature shall 237
be published once within ten (10) days after its final passage 238
in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Fort White, 239
Florida, or by posting said ordinance in three (3) separate 240
public places for a period of ten (10) days after its final 241
passage. 242
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Section 23. APPOINTMENT; LEGAL ADVISOR TO TOWN; PREPARATION 243
AND APPROVAL OF LEGAL INSTRUMENTS; DEFEND AND PROSE CUTE IN 244
BEHALF OF TOWN. The Town Council shall appoint a Town Attorney 245
who shall act as the legal advisor to, and attorney and 246
counselor for the municipality and all of its officers in 247
matters relating to their official duties. The Town Attorney He 248
shall prepare all contracts, bonds and other instruments in 249
writing, in which the municipality is concerned, and shall 250
endorse on each his or her approval of the form and correctness 251
thereof. When required to do so, the Town Attorney he shall 252
prosecute and defend for and in behalf of the town, all 253
complaints, suits, and controversies in which the town is a 254
party. The Town Attorney He shall furnish the Town Council, the 255
head of any department or any officer, not included in any 256
department, his or her opinion on any question of law relating 257
to their respective powers and duties. For these services, the 258
Town Attorney he shall receive such compensation as the Town 259
Council may determine by record vote. 260
Section 24. TO PERFORM DUTIES REQUIRED BY TOWN COUNCIL, 261
STATE LAW AND CHARTER. In addition to the duties, specifically 262
imposed under the preceding section, the Town Attorney he shall 263
perform such other professional duties as may be required of him 264
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or her by ordinance or resolution of the Town Council or as 265
prescribed, for Town Attorney under the general laws of the 266
State which are not inconsistent with the charter and with any 267
ordinance or resolution which may be passed by the Town Council. 268
The Town Attorney He shall receive such compensation as the Town 269
Council may determine by record vote. 270
Section 25. QUALIFICATIONS. The Town Attorney shall be a 271
lawyer with laywer of at least five (5) years of experience, 272
admitted in and having authority to practice i n all courts of 273
the State. 274
275
ARTICLE IV 276
COURT MATTERS 277
MUNICIPAL COURT 278
Section 26. ESTABLISHMENT; APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL JUDGE; 279
POWER OF MAYOR DURING ABSENCE OF JUDGE; SESSIONS OF COURT. All 280
matters requiring court hearings or appearances for any resident 281
of the Town of Fort White will be handled by the Columbia County 282
Clerk of Courts There shall be and there is hereby established 283
in the Town of Fort White a municipal court to be known as the 284
"Municipal Court of the Town of Fort White, Florida," fo r the 285
trial of all offenders against the municipal ordinances. Such 286
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court shall be presided over by a municipal judge who shall be 287
the Mayor. Sessions of the municipal court may be held daily 288
except Sundays and holidays . 289
Section 27. POWERS AND DUTIES, G ENERALLY. The municipal 290
judge shall have power by his warrant to have brought before him 291
any person or persons charged with violation of the town 292
ordinances, and shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over 293
all proceedings of a criminal nature for the v iolation of any 294
ordinance of the town. In the proper exercise of the functions 295
of the municipal court within its jurisdiction as herein 296
defined, the municipal judge shall have power and is authorized 297
to issue and cause to be served search warrants and any and all 298
other writs and processes such as are issued and used by county 299
judges and justices of peace in the State of Florida, and the 300
police of the Town of Fort White are authorized and it is made 301
their duty to execute and serve any and all such writs and 302
processes issued out of the said municipal court by the 303
municipal judge, and to make proper returns upon the same to 304
such municipal court in the same manner as is required of 305
constables, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and any other officer in 306
the execution of similar papers. The municipal judge shall have 307
power and authority to take bail for the appearance of an 308
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accused person, if such person fail to appear, to declare such 309
bond or security estreated; to require the attendance of 310
witnesses for the town and for the accused person, to administer 311
oaths, take affidavits; and to inquire into the truth of falsity 312
of all charges preferred; to decide on the guilt or innocence of 313
the accused, and to fix and to impose penalties by sentences as 314
are prescribed and provided for under the ordinances of the 315
town, and to have all powers incidental and usual to the due 316
enforcement of such town ordinances. 317
Section 28. AUTHORITY TO PRESERVE ORDER; DISPOSITION OF 318
MONEYS COLLECTED. The municipal court shall have authority to 319
preserve order and decorum and shall be invested with the same 320
powers to that end, by fine and imprisonment, as are possessed 321
and authorized to be exercised by criminal courts of records 322
within the State. All fines, penalties and fees collected in the 323
municipal court and by the police of the town shall be part of 324
the revenue of the town and shall be paid to the finance 325
department on the date on which collected, and receipt taken 326
thereof. The moneys so paid into the Town Treasury may be by 327
ordinance of the Town Council, appropriated to any particular 328
fund and shall thereafter be used in accordance with such 329
ordinance. 330
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Section 29. REMISSION OF FINES AND PENALTIES. The municipal 331
judge may, in his discretion, remit all, or part of any fines, 332
costs or penalties im posed in said court and may suspend the 333
enforcement of any sentence imposed in such court. 334
Section 30. ENTRY ON DOCKET SUFFICIENT FOR TRIAL. 335
Entry of the charge on the docket of the municipal court of the 336
Town of Fort White shall be sufficient for the purpose of trying 337
any person charged with an offense against the town ordinances. 338
Section 27. 31. POLICE DEPARTMENT. The police force of the 339
Town of Fort White shall consist of a Chief of Police and as 340
many subordinate officers, policemen and employees as the Town 341
Council shall by ordinance determine. The Chief of Police shall 342
have exclusive control of the stationing and transfer of all 343
patrolmen and other officers and employees constituting the 344
police force, subject to and under such rules and regulatio ns as 345
the Town Council may prescribe or as may be prescribed by the 346
ordinances of the town. Any police officer of the Town of Fort 347
White shall have and is hereby empowered with the full right and 348
authority to make arrests beyond the corporate limits of sai d 349
town for violation of Chapters 317, and 901.15, Florida Statutes 350
Annotated, as amended where the violation occurs within the 351
limits of said Town of Fort White and the violator is 352
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immediately pursued to a point outside the boundary limits of 353
said town. 354
Section 28. 32. POLICE DEPARTMENT-POWERS AND DUTIES OF 355
CHIEF OF POLICE. The Chief of Police shall attend all meetings 356
of the Town Council and aid in the enforcement of orders under 357
the direction of the presiding officer. He or she shall execute 358
the commands of the Town Council and all processes issued by 359
authority thereof which shall be issued to him or her by the 360
Mayor. He or she shall attend in person or by deputy the 361
municipal court during its sittings, execute the commands and 362
processes of said court, aid in the enforcement of orders 363
therein and perform such other duties appropriate to his or her 364
office as may be imposed upon him or her by law, the ordinances 365
of the town, consistent with this Act. 366
Section 29. 33. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire force of th e town 367
shall be provided by Columbia County fire warden and as many 368
subordinate officers, firemen and employees as the Town Council 369
shall by ordinance determine . The Columbia County fire chief 370
shall have exclusive control of the stationing and transfer of 371
all firefighters firemen and other officers and employees of the 372
fire force subject to such rules and regulations as may be 373
prescribed by ordinance of the town; the fire chief he shall 374
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have exclusive management and control of such officers and 375
employees as may be employed in the administration of the 376
affairs of the fire chief's his force. In case of riot, 377
conflagration of like emergency, the Mayor may appoint 378
additional firemen for tempo rary service. The fire chief shall 379
have the right to suspend any officer or employee of the fire 380
force because of incompetency, neglect of duty, drunkenness, 381
failure to obey orders given by proper authority or for any 382
other just or reasonable cause, and he shall immediately report 383
the fact of such suspension to the Town Council for final 384
action. 385
386
ARTICLE VI 387
TOWN AUDITOR, TOWN CLERK, TOWN TAX ASSESSOR 388
AND TOWN TREASURER 389
390
Section 30. 34. TOWN CLERK. The Town Council shall appoint 391
an officer of the town who shall have the title of Town Clerk. 392
The Town Clerk He shall: 393
(1) Serve at the pleasure of the Town Council and shall be 394
under its direction and control. 395
(2) He shall Receive a salary to be fixed by the Town 396
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Council. 397
(3) He shall Give notice of the meetings of the Town 398
Council and:; shall 399
(a) Keep the journal of its proceedings; 400
(b) shall Be custodian of the town's seal; 401
(c) shall Authenticate by his or her signature and record 402
in full a book kept for that purpose all ordinances and 403
resolutions. 404
(4) Ensure that town elections are conducted in accordance 405
with Florida law, including the qualification of all candidates, 406
receiving and maintaining candidate reports, and assisting with 407
Canvassing Board meetings. 408
(5) Exercise financial budgetary co ntrol over every 409
department, board, mission, and agency of the town to ensure 410
that all moneys are legally expended, and that budget 411
appropriations are not exceeded. 412
(6) Prescribe the forms of accounting and the forms of 413
receipts, vouchers, bills, claims or other forms to be used by 414
all the offices, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies 415
of the town government, in and about its fiscal affairs. 416
(7) Audit all bills, invoices, payrolls, and other 417
evidence of claims, demands or charges against the to wn 418
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government. 419
(8) Inspect and audit any accounts or records which may be 420
maintained in any office, department, or agency of the town 421
government. 422
(9) Manage the Town of Fort White Water Utility including 423
requests for service, billing, and collections. 424
(10) Coordinate with all elected officials of Columbia 425
County and the City of Lake City in matters of interest to the 426
Town. 427
(11) Maintain the Town of Fort White website. 428
(12) Receive applications on behalf of the town for 429
development orders, permits, and licenses ensuring that all 430
orders, permits, licenses are complete and meet the requirements 431
of applicable law and policy. 432
(13) Coordinate, plan, and work with the Town Attorney, as 433
necessary. 434
(14) Review applicable federal, state, and local laws a s 435
needed. 436
(15) Oversee the operations of the town including, but not 437
limited to, maintenance and repairs. ; shall perform the duties 438
of registration officer and shall 439
(16) Perform any other duties required by this charter. If 440
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a person qualified to fill the positions be available, the 441
office of town clerk may, at the discretion of the Town Council, 442
be combined with that of the town auditor, town tax assessor and 443
town treasurer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, or 444
of this charter, the office of the town clerk shall never be 445
combined with any office other than town auditor, town tax 446
assessor, or town treasurer, or given any other duties except 447
those specifically delegated in this charter to either the town 448
auditor, town tax assessor or town treas urer. 449
Section 35. TOWN AUDITOR. The Town Council shall appoint an 450
officer of the town who shall have the title of town auditor. He 451
shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Council and shall be 452
under its direction and control. He shall receive a salary to be 453
fixed by the Town Council. He shall have knowledge of accounting 454
and shall have had experience in budgeting and financial 455
control. If a person qualified to fill the positions be 456
available, the office of the town auditor may, at the discretion 457
of the Town Council, be combined with that of town clerk, town 458
tax assessor and town treasurer. Notwithstanding any other 459
provision of law, or of this charter, the office of town auditor 460
shall never be combined with any office other than that of town 461
clerk, town tax assessor, or town treasurer, or given any other 462
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duties except those specifically delegated in this charter to 463
either the town clerk, town tax assessor or town treasurer. The 464
town auditor shall have power and be required to: 465
(1) Exercise financial budge tary control over every 466
department, board, commission and agency of the town to insure 467
that all moneys are legally expended, and the budget 468
appropriations are not exceeded; 469
(2) Prescribe the forms of accounting and the forms of 470
receipts, vouchers, bills, claims or other forms to be used by 471
all the offices, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies 472
of the town government, in and about its fiscal affairs; 473
(3) Audit all bids, invoices, payrolls and other evidences 474
of claims, demands or charges against the town government; 475
(4) Inspect and audit any accounts or records which may be 476
maintained in any office, department or agency of the town 477
government. 478
Section 36. TOWN TAX ASSESSOR. The Town Council shall 479
appoint an officer of the town who shall ha ve the title of town 480
tax assessor. He shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Council 481
and shall be under its direction and control. He shall receive a 482
salary to be fixed by the Town Council. He shall prepare tax 483
maps, assess all properties within the corpo rate limits of the 484
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town for taxation and shall perform all the usual duties of a 485
tax assessor. If a person qualified to fill the positions be 486
available, the office of the town tax assessor may, at the 487
discretion of the Town Council, be combined with that o f town 488
clerk, town auditor and town treasurer. Notwithstanding any 489
other provision of law, or of this charter, the office of town 490
tax assessor shall never be combined with any office other than 491
that of town clerk, town auditor, or town treasurer, or given 492
any other duties except those specifically delegated in this 493
charter to either the town clerk, the town auditor, or the town 494
treasurer. 495
Section 37. TOWN TREASURER. The Town Council shall appoint 496
an officer of the town who shall have the title of town 497
treasurer. He shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Council 498
and shall be under its direction and control. He shall receive a 499
salary to be fixed by the Town Council. He shall have knowledge 500
of municipal accounting and taxation and shall have had 501
experience in budgeting and financial control. If a person 502
qualified to fill the position be available, the office of the 503
town treasurer may, at the discretion of the Town Council, be 504
combined with that of the town auditor, town clerk, and town tax 505
assessor. The town treasurer shall provide a bond with surety 506
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and in such amount as the Town Council may require. The town 507
treasurer shall have charge of the administration of the 508
financial affairs of the town under the supervision of the Town 509
Council. 510
Section 38. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAX; METHOD OF ASSESSMENT. 511
All property within the town, not expressly exempted by law, 512
shall be·subject to annual taxation at its true cash value. For 513
the purpose of assessment, the soil shall be known as "Land," 514
and everything attached ther eto shall be known as 515
"Improvements," and such "Improvements," when owned by the 516
tenant, may be assessed in his or her name, apart from the land. 517
Articles other than "Land" or "Improvements" shall be known as 518
"Personal Property." All property shall be asse ssed as of the 519
1st day of January of the fiscal year for which such assessment 520
is made, and the town tax assessor shall begin his work of 521
assessing real property on such date. On or before the 1st day 522
of May of each fiscal year, he shall present to the tre asurer 523
and collector a true copy of the assessment roll of the property 524
taxable within the town, to be known as the assessor's 525
duplicate. The treasurer and collector shall make such copy of 526
the assessment roll available for public inspection during the 527
period from the 1st day of May to the 15th day of May. 528
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Section 39. ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY OF PUBLIC UTILITY 529
COMPANIES. Public utility companies shall be subjected to 530
taxation on all real and personal property owned or operated by 531
them within the limits of the municipal corporation, in the same 532
manner and at the same rate of valuation as all other property. 533
Franchises and privileges owned by public utility companies and 534
other corporations, part of which is, and part of which is not, 535
subject to taxation for the various purposes other than ordinary 536
municipal purposes, shall be so assessed as to show the 537
valuation or part of the whole valuation subject to taxation for 538
each purpose. The town tax assessor shall specify what portion 539
of the property assessed is use d for right of way and depot 540
purposes, by such description as will clearly define the 541
property covered by that assessment, and their property, other 542
than that so described, shall be separately assessed by 543
sufficient description as is other property, each l ot, part of 544
lot, or tract being assessed separately, except that the town 545
tax assessor may, at the request of the company or its agents, 546
assess several pieces together. 547
Section 40. CORRECTION OF ASSESSMENT. If the town tax 548
assessor shall discover that a ny land in the town was omitted in 549
the assessment roll of either or all of the three previous 550
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years, or that any land was illegally sold for taxation and is 551
then liable to taxation, he shall assess such lands for the next 552
fiscal year, and shall also assess the same separately for each 553
such year or years as may have been omitted, or was illegally 554
sold for taxes, at the cash value thereof at the time, noting 555
distinctly the year or years when such omission occurred, and 556
such assessment was omitted, and taxes s hall be levied and 557
collected thereon in like manner, together with the taxes for 558
the year in which assessment is being made; but no land shall be 559
assessed for more than three years arrears of taxes, and all 560
land shall be subject to be assessed into whomsoe ver's hands 561
they may come. 562
Section 41. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. There shall be an 563
equalizing board of the town composed of the members of the Town 564
Council, and it shall meet on the first Monday in July each 565
year. The town clerk shall be the clerk of such board, and shall 566
keep an accurate record of all the changes made in the valuation 567
of the property, and all other proceedings of such board. 568
Section 42. THE EQUALIZING BOARD; POWERS AND DUTIES. The 569
equalizing board shall have power to review all complain ts of 570
property owners assessed for the purpose of taxation of real 571
property within the town made by the town tax assessor, 572
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administer oaths, take testimony, hold hearings, and adopt 573
regulations regarding the procedure of assessment review. 574
Section 43. MEETINGS. The equalizing board may adjourn 575
from day to day until its work is completed, and three members 576
shall constitute a quorum to transact business. If no quorum is 577
present, the town clerk may adjourn the board from day to day, 578
and publicly announce t he time to which the meeting is to be 579
adjourned. 580
Section 44. PUBLIC HEARING ON COMPLAINTS; NOTICE. Beginning 581
on the first Monday of July of each fiscal year, and as long 582
thereafter as may be necessary, the equalizing board shall hear 583
and determine the complaint of any person in relation to the 584
assessment roll. Complaints to the equalizing board shall be in 585
writing. The procedure before such board shall be informal, and 586
of a nature calculated to effect justice as simply as possible. 587
Hearings on such compl aints shall be held in the order as 588
received and as promptly after the filing thereof as possible, 589
and the determination of the equalizing board shall be made 590
within twenty days after such filing. Such determination shall 591
be immediately certified by the eq ualizing board to the town tax 592
assessor, whose duty it shall be to make such corrections upon 593
the assessment roll and duplicate as the board may determine. 594
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Section 45. NOTICE. Not earlier than fifteen days and not 595
later than five days prior to the annua l meeting of the 596
equalizing board, the town clerk shall cause to be published in 597
a newspaper of the town a notice that the town assessment roll 598
is open to the public for inspection, and that the assessment 599
roll will be submitted to the equalizing board for approval on 600
the date and at the time and place fixed for such meeting. 601
Section 46. EQUALIZATION AND CORRECTION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL. 602
The equalizing board shall have the right to change the 603
valuation or assessment of any real or personal property upon 604
the roll, by increasing or decreasing the assessed valuation 605
thereof as shall be reasonable and just to render taxation 606
uniform, provided, that the valuation of any real or personal 607
property as assessed by the town tax assessor shall not be 608
increased without first giving the owner notice of the intention 609
of the board to so increase it. Such notice shall be by personal 610
service upon the owner, or by leaving a copy of the written 611
notice at his usual place of business, or last place of 612
residence, and if a non -resident by mailing such notice of his 613
last known address, and such notice shall state therein the time 614
when the board will be in session to act upon the matter. 615
Section 47. SESSIONS TO BE OPEN. The sessions of the 616
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equalizing board shall be open to the pub lic. 617
Section 48. COMPLETION OF THE ROLL. All changes made by the 618
equalizing board shall be noted in the preliminary assessment 619
roll by the town tax assessor, and, within 10 days after the 620
equalizing board shall have concluded its examination and 621
correction of the assessment roll, it shall be submitted in 622
corrected form, duly Certified to by the town tax assessor as 623
having been corrected and equalized by the equalizing board to 624
the Town Council, and shall stand as the assessment for the year 625
of the taxable property within the town. 626
Section 49. OMISSIONS FROM ASSESSMENT ROLL. The equalizing 627
board must place upon and add to the assessment roll any 628
property, real or personal, subject to taxation, which has been 629
omitted therefrom by the town tax assessor, an d enter the same 630
at such valuation that will bear an equal and just proportion of 631
taxation. 632
Section 50. APPEAL TO THE COURTS. Any person feeling 633
aggrieved by any decision of the equalizing ·board in any matter 634
that he is called upon by such board to correct, alter or change 635
with reference to the listing of valuation of his own property, 636
may appeal to the Circuit Court not later than thirty days after 637
the certification to the town tax assessor. 638
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Section 51. TAXES; WHEN PAYABLE. All taxes shall be due and 639
payable on the first day of November, in each year, or as soon 640
thereafter as the assessment roll may come into the hands of the 641
town treasurer and collector, of which he shall give notice in a 642
newspaper published in said town, or published in the coun ty 643
where said town is situated, that the taxes are then due and 644
payable. The same discounts shall be allowed on tax payments due 645
the town, as are allowed on tax payments due the counties under 646
the general statutes of the State of Florida. 647
Section 52. WHEN TAX BOOKS CLOSE. The tax books shall close 648
on the 31st day of March, in each year, and the town treasurer 649
and collector shall proceed as hereinafter provided. 650
Section 53. MAY ISSUE DISTRESS WARRANTS. The town treasurer 651
and collector shall have power to issue distress warrants in the 652
name of the state and town to enforce collection of taxes on 653
personal property and privileges. Such warrants may be executed 654
by the chief of police, or by any constable or sheriff, 655
according to the method provided by law f or the collection of 656
state and county taxes lawfully assessed on personal property. 657
Section 54. CONSTITUTE A LIEN. Taxes and assessments, 658
together with the interest imposed for delinquency and cost of 659
collection, shall be and continue a lien upon the pr operty 660
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assessed, superior to all other liens or claims until the same 661
shall be paid. 662
Section 55. COLLECTION OF TAXES. The town treasurer and 663
collector shall, unless otherwise provided, proceed 664
substantially in the same manner in the collection of taxes, and 665
sale of personal property for non -payment of taxes and licenses 666
as is provided for state collectors under the state law, and he 667
shall be subject to the same penalties as are prescribed by the 668
laws of Florida for any violation of the duties imposed upo n him 669
by this charter. Delinquent taxes due the town on real estate 670
shall be collected in the manner provided by the laws of 671
Florida, and the amount thereof shall be certified to the Town 672
Attorney for that purpose, after the tax books shall close. Such 673
delinquent taxes may be paid to said Town Attorney at any time 674
after such certification, and before sale, upon payment of the 675
amount of such tax, and also all costs and expenses incurred to 676
the date of such payment, including a reasonable attorney fee 677
for such collection. The amount of all taxes, real and personal, 678
shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month after 679
the tax books shall close, and the amount of such interest shall 680
be collected when such tax is collected. 681
Section 31 56. LICENSES. The Town Council is authorized to 682
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levy and impose license taxes by ordinance, for the purpose of 683
regulation and revenue, upon all occupations, and upon any and 684
all privileges, and to create and fix the amounts to be paid; to 685
provide for the collection of t he same, and to provide penalties 686
for failure to pay such license taxes; all such license taxes, 687
so imposed, shall constitute a legal indebtedness to the town, 688
which may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction. 689
The Town Council may, by ordinanc e, provide for licensing the 690
keeping of dogs, and for the destruction of dogs, the owner and 691
keeper whereof shall not comply with the regulations prescribed 692
by ordinance in effect thereto, and for the punishment of 693
persons violating the ordinances on this subject. 694
Section 32 57. PERIOD COVERED BY LICENSES. Licenses shall 695
be issued for the periods and be transferable as provided by the 696
general law for state licenses. The agent or agents of non -697
resident proprietors shall be severally responsible for carryi ng 698
on business in like manner as if they were proprietors. The fact 699
that any person, firm or corporation reporting himself or itself 700
as engaged in any business calling, profession or occupation for 701
the transaction of which a license is required, or that pe rson, 702
firm or corporation exhibiting a sign or advertisement 703
indicating engagement in such business calling, profession or 704
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occupation, shall be conclusive evidence of the liability of 705
such person, firm, or corporation to pay a license. 706
Section 33 58. AUTHORITY OF TOWN TO PURCHASE, OWN AND 707
OPERATE CERTAIN PUBLIC UTILITIES. The Town of Fort White, 708
Florida, is hereby authorized by and through its officers, 709
agents, employees, and representatives, to purchase, build, 710
construct, own, control, repair, lease, operate, manage, extend, 711
or sell an electric light plant, a water works plant, and an ice 712
plant, and any and all other public utility plants, and to 713
prescribe and enforce rates, rules and regulations necessary 714
thereto. 715
Section 34 59. SERVICE OF UTILITIE S TO CONSUMERS OUTSIDE OF 716
TOWN. That The Town Council shall have the power to supply 717
water, electricity, and gas for domestic and other purposes to 718
individuals or corporations outside of said town and to charge 719
and collect reasonable rates, prices and comp ensation therefor, 720
but the Town Council shall charge a higher rate to such 721
consumers than it charges for a like class of consumers within 722
the corporate limits of said town. 723
Section 35 60. AUTHORITY OF TOWN TO SELL PUBLIC UTILITY 724
PLANTS; PROCEDURE. The T own Council may sell the public utility 725
plants owned by the Town of Fort White, or any one or all of 726
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them, after the Town Council shall have first passed an 727
ordinance in which is stated the terms of purchase, and after 728
such ordinance has been submitted to the qualified electors of 729
said town, who are freeholders, for a period of at least sixty 730
(60) days prior to said election, and such action as is 731
provided, in and by such ordinance is ratified by a majority of 732
those voting at such election. In all other res pects not herein 733
specially provided for, such election shall be called and held 734
as is provided by law for calling and holding bond elections of 735
said town. 736
Section 36 61. CONTRACT WITH PERSONS OUTSIDE TOWN TO 737
FURNISH TOWN WITH ELECTRICITY. The Town Counc il together with 738
the Mayor are hereby authorized and empowered to contract with 739
persons, firms or corporations beyond the limits of said town to 740
furnish electric current to said town, and to construct such 741
lines, wires, poles, towers and conduits as may be necessary to 742
obtain such current. 743
Section 37 62. GRANTING OF FRANCHISES. The town shall have 744
power to grant a franchise to any private corporation for the 745
use of streets and other public places in the furnishing of any 746
public utility service to the tow n and to its inhabitants. All 747
franchises and any renewals, extensions and amendments thereto, 748
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shall be granted only by ordinance. 749
Section 38 63. FRANCHISES NOT AFFECTED. The provisions of 750
this charter shall not apply to any franchise granted any public 751
utility company prior to the effective date of this charter. 752
Section 39 64. ELECTIONS. A regular or general election of 753
candidates to the office of Town Council shall be held in 754
accordance with the dates established for general elections as 755
provided for by the Florida Election Code. The candidate for each 756
seat to be filled receiving the greatest number of votes in said 757
election shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie 758
between two (2) candidates for any seat upon the Town Council, 759
a run-off special election will be held on a date to be 760
established by the Town Clerk in accordance with s. 105.051, 761
Florida Statutes, of the Florida Election Code The Town Council 762
shall, by ordinance, make all regulations which it considers 763
needful or desirable, not inconsistent with this charter, for 764
the conduct of municipal elections, and for the prevention of 765
fraud therein. Inspectors and clerks of elections shall be 766
appointed by the Town Council . 767
Section 40. 65. ELECTORS. Any person who is a qualified 768
elector of the State of Florida, and who has resided in the town 769
for one (1) year, shall be an elector of this town. 770
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Section 41. 66. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. The town clerk 771
shall be the registration officer for the town and shall 772
register all persons applying to him or her whose names are not 773
already borne upon the registration book and who are qualified 774
as electors under the provisions of this charter. For this 775
purpose The registration book shall always be open at the office 776
of the town clerk, except that sam e shall be maintained in 777
accordance with s. 97.055, Florida Statutes, of the Florida 778
Election Code closed for five days before and during the day of 779
any town election. Each person applying to be registered shall 780
make the following oath, which will be admin istered by the 781
registration officer or his or her duly appointed deputy: "I do 782
solemnly swear that I am a bona fide resident of the Town of 783
Fort White and possess all of the qualifications of an elector 784
of said town." Any person taking such oath who shall swear 785
falsely shall be guilty of perjury. The name of each person so 786
registered shall be entered in a book prepared for that purpose, 787
which book shall show, under appropriate heading, the age, 788
color, occupation and exact place of residence of each person s o 789
registered, and whether the registrant is a free holder. The 790
Town Council may, by ordinance, provide for revision of the 791
registration list of voters when, in their opinion, a revision 792
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is necessary. 793
Section 42. 67. NOMINATIONS. Any qualified elector of the 794
town may be nominated for the council by petition. A petition 795
for this purpose shall be signed by not less than 10 qualified 796
electors. Each petition shall designate the seat for which the 797
candidate is nominated. The form of the nominating petition 798
shall be substantially as follows: 799
We, the undersigned electors of the Town of Fort 800
White, hereby nominate 801
..................................., whose residence 802
is .................................., for the office 803
of Councilman, Seat No.........., Mayor (stri ke out 804
portion not applicable), to be voted for at the 805
election to be held on the . . . . day of .........., 806
20 19 .... ; and we individually certify that our 807
names appear on the rolls of registered voters, that 808
we are qualified to vote for a candidate for the 809
council. 810
Name Street and Address from which last Date of Number 811
Registered (if different) Signing 812
813
(SPACES FOR SIGNATURES AND REQUIRED DATA) 814
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815
For the November 8, 2022, election each petition must be 816
received prior to 12:01 P. M. on August 2, 2022. Thereafter, 817
each petition must be submitted before noon of the 28th day 818
preceding the first day of the qualifying period for the office 819
sought to the town clerk. The town clerk shall make a record of 820
the exact time at which each petition is filed, and shall take 821
and preserve the name and address of the person by whom it is 822
filed. The town clerk shall check the signatures on the 823
petitions to verify their status as voters in the Town. If a 824
petition is found insufficient, the town clerk shall return it 825
immediately to the person who filed it with a statement 826
certifying wherein the petition is found insufficient. No later 827
than the 7th day before the first day of the qualifying period, 828
the town clerk shall certify the number of valid signatures. 829
830
Each petition must be submitted before noon of the 28th day 831
preceding the first day of the qualifying period for the office 832
sought to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk shall check the 833
signatures on the petitions to verify their status as voters in 834
the Town. If a petition is fo und insufficient, the Town Clerk 835
shall return it immediately to the person who filed it with a 836
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statement certifying wherein the petition is found insufficient. 837
No later than the seventh (7th) day before the first day of the 838
qualifying period, the Town Cler k shall certify the number of 839
valid signatures. 840
Section 43. 68. ELECTIONS. A regular or general election of 841
candidates to the office of Town Council shall be held in 842
accordance with the dates established for general elections as 843
provided for by the Flor ida Election Code each year on the 844
second Tuesday in August for each seat on the Town Council which 845
shall become vacant at 8: 00 O'Clock P. M. on the fourth Tuesday 846
in August of the same year . The candidate for each seat to be 847
filled receiving the greatest number of votes in said election 848
shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie between two 849
candidates for any seat upon the Town Council , a run-off special 850
election will be held on a date to be established by the town 851
clerk in accordance with section 1 05.051, Florida Statutes 852
(2019), of the Florida Election Code in the general election, 853
another general election shall be held on the Tuesday following 854
the general election and the two candidates receiving the equal 855
votes shall be the only candidates on the ballot for such 856
general election. 857
Section 69. ELECTIONS; GOVERNED BY STATE LAW OR ORDINANCE. 858
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Except as herein specifically provided, all elections in the 859
town shall be conducted substantially on the principles 860
governing state elections, or as the Town Council shall by 861
ordinance prescribe. 862
Section 44 70. ELECTIONS; CANVASS OF RETURNS. —The Town 863
Council may agree with the Columbia County Supervisor of 864
Elections and the county canvassing board to canvass the returns 865
and the results of the election in acc ordance with the Florida 866
Election Code. The Town Council shall review the returns and the 867
results provided by the county canvassing board and declare the 868
winner of the election at a meeting of the Town Council. 869
Otherwise, The polls shall open at seven o'clock A. M. and shall 870
close at seven o'clock P. M. the result of the voting, when 871
ascertained, shall be certified by return in duplicate, signed 872
by the clerk and a majority of the inspectors of election, one 873
copy being delivered by such clerk, and inspec tors to the mayor 874
and the other to the town clerk, both of whom shall transmit 875
such returns to the Town Council. At such meeting the Town 876
Council shall canvass the returns and the results as shown by 877
such returns shall be by the Town Council declared as th e result 878
of the election. The town clerk shall, not later than noon of 879
the second day after the canvass of said election, furnish a 880
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certificate of election to each person shown to have been 881
elected. The Town Council agrees with the Columbia County 882
Supervisor of Elections and the county canvassing board to 883
canvass the returns of the election in accordance with the 884
Florida Election Code. The Town Council shall review the returns 885
and results provided by the county canvassing board and declare 886
the winner of the election at a meeting of the Town Council. 887
Otherwise, the result of the voting, when ascertained, shall be 888
certified by return in duplicate, signed by the clerk and a 889
majority of the inspectors of election, one copy being delivered 890
by such clerk, and insp ectors to the Mayor and the other to the 891
Town Clerk, both of whom shall transmit such returns to the Town 892
Council. At such meeting, the Town Council shall canvass the 893
returns and the results as shown by such returns shall be by the 894
Town Council declared as the result of the election. The Town 895
Clerk shall, not later than noon of the second day after the 896
canvass of said election, furnish a certificate of election to 897
each person shown to have been elected. 898
Section 45. 71. FIRST ELECTION; DUTIES TO CALL. It shall 899
be the duty of the Town Council now in office to call and hold 900
the first election for members of the Town Council Councilmen 901
under this charter, which shall be held on the Second Tuesday in 902
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
August, 1957, for the election of a Town Councilmember 903
Councilman for Seats One, Two, Three and Four and for Mayor. The 904
election of the councilmembers Councilman for Seats One and Two 905
shall be for a two year term, commencing at 8: 00 O'Clock P. M. 906
on the fourth Tuesday in August, 1957, and the election of 907
councilmembers Councilman for Seats Three and Four and Mayor 908
shall be for a three year term, commencing at 8: 00 O'Clock P. 909
M. on the fourth Tuesday in August, 1957. The terms of all 910
councilmembers in office as of August 1, 2020, shall be extended 911
in order to accomplish the goal of holding the Town Council 912
elections on the general election date established by the 913
Florida Election Code. The election of councilmembers for Seats 914
3 and 4 and Mayor shall be held on November 8, 2022, in 915
accordance with the Florida Electi on Code and thereafter the 916
councilmembers for Seats 3 and 4 and Mayor shall serve for a 917
four year term. The terms of councilmembers for Seats 1 and 2 918
shall be extended to the general election date established by 919
the Florida Election Code for the calendar y ear 2022, and 920
thereafter the councilmembers for Seats 1 and 2 shall serve for 921
a four year term. Thereafter all members of the Town Council 922
shall be elected for a three year term. 923
Section 46. 72. PUBLICITY OF RECORDS. All records and 924
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accounts of every office, department or agency of the town shall 925
be open to inspection by any citizen, any representative of a 926
citizens' organization or any representative of the press at all 927
reasonable times and under reasonable regulations established by 928
the Town Council. 929
Section 47. 73. OFFICIAL BONDS. The Town Council shall 930
determine whether or not each officer, clerk, or employee shall 931
give bond, and the amount thereof, but all officers, clerks and 932
employees handling any funds or property of the town shall be 933
required to give bond to the town, which bonds shall be procured 934
from a regularly accredited surety company authorized to do 935
business under the laws of Florida, the premiums on such bonds 936
to be paid by the town. All such bonds shall be filed in the 937
office of the Town Clerk treasurer and collector . 938
Section 48. 74. OATH OF OFFICE. Every officer of the town 939
shall, before entering upon the duties of his or her office, 940
take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation, to be 941
filed and kept in the office of th e town clerk: 942
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support 943
the Constitution and will obey the laws of the United 944
States and of the State of Florida, that I will, in 945
all respects, observe the provisions of the charter 946
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and ordinances of the Town of F ort White, and will 947
faithfully discharge the duties of the office of 948
................." 949
Section 49. 75. EFFECT OF THIS CHARTER ON EXISTING LAW. 950
All laws and parts of laws relating to or affecting the town in 951
force when this charter shall take effect ar e hereby repealed 952
and superseded to the extent that the same are inconsistent with 953
the provisions of this charter. 954
Section 50. 76. WHEN GENERAL LAWS OF STATE APPLICABLE. All 955
general laws of the state, applicable to municipal corporations 956
now or which may hereafter be enacted, and which are not in 957
conflict with the provisions of this charter or with the 958
ordinances and resolutions hereafter enacted by the Town Council 959
shall be applicable to this town; provided, however, that 960
nothing contained in this char ter shall be construed as limiting 961
the power of the Town Council to enact any ordinance or 962
resolution not in conflict with the Constitution of the state or 963
with the express provisions of this charter. 964
Section 51. 77. GENERAL LAW OF STATE GOVERNING CITY 965
COUNCILS TO APPLY TO TOWN COUNCILS. That any right or authority 966
given or permitted by the Constitution and laws of the State of 967
Florida to City Councils not inconsistent with the provisions of 968
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this Act shall be given, permitted and extended to the Town 969
Councilmen of the Town of Fort White. 970
Section 52. 78. DEDICATION OF STREETS. No street or alley 971
hereinafter dedicated to public use by the owner of any land 972
within the town shall be deemed a public street or alley, under 973
the care or control of the town, unless the dedication be 974
accepted and confirmed by ordinance passed for such purpose. 975
Section 53. 79. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the town 976
shall be from October January 1st to September 30th December 977
31st of each year. 978
Section 54. 80. EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS AND VALIDATION OF 979
TOWN WARRANTS FOR EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. In addition to all other 980
requirements of this charter regarding contracts, no contract 981
entered into by the town shall be valid until executed on behalf 982
of the town by the Ma yor or a Councilmember and Town Clerk. In 983
addition to all other requirements under this charter regarding 984
the disbursement or payment of town funds, no warrant for the 985
payment of town funds shall be valid unless signed by the Mayor 986
and the Town Clerk Treasurer. In addition to the requirements of 987
this section regarding the disbursement of funds, the Town 988
Council may, by ordinance, prescribe additional requirements. 989
Section 55. 81. SHORT TITLE. This charter, adopted by the 990
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
people of the Town of Fort White, shall be known and may be 991
cited as the "Fort White Charter." 992
Section 56. 82. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any section or part 993
of section of this charter shall be held invalid by a court of 994
competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the 995
remainder of this charter nor the context in which such section 996
or part of section so hold invalid may appear, except to the 997
extent that an entire section or part of section may be 998
inseparably connected in meaning and effect with the section or 999
part of section to wh ich such holding shall directly apply. 1000
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 1001