A HUGE THANK YOU!!!

A huge THANK YOU!!!  to the large number of concerned citizens of Polk City and surrounding areas affected by these outrageously high taxes, debt and/or utility bills, who showed up on September 11 & 12th at Freedom Park and voiced your support.  We have heard many unbelievable testimonials from you regarding these sky high water and sewer bills, and answered many questions and concerns that you brought to us.  We presented educational material that gave comparison utility rates for Polk City Rates vs. Polk county rates and the impressive savings involved. 

We have educated you on the process of dissolution of a city charter and had printed material available explaining Article VIII, section 2 of the State Constitution which provides that a municipality may be abolished and its charter amended pursuant to general or special law.  When a municipality is abolished, the Constitution requires the Legislature to provide for the protection of the municipality's creditors.

Section 165.051 in the Florida Statues, provides that a municipal charter may be revoked to dissolve a municipality in the following ways:

The Legislature may pass a special act repealing the enabling act of the municipality and any subsequent mandatory acts.  This method is subject to all requirements of law or rule applicable to the consideration and enactment of any special act.

The governing body of the city seeking dissolution may pass an ordinance dissolving the municipality, subject to approval of the qualified voters in the affected area.

*  The governing body of the municipality, or the governing body or bodies in which the municipality is located, if the municipal governing body does not act within 30 days, must set the date of the referendum

*  The referendum must be held at the next regularly scheduled election or may be held at a SPECIAL ELECTION prior to the next scheduled election, if the special election is approved by a majority of the governing board members of each governmental unit affected.  The date of the referendum cannot be sooner than 30 days after the passage of the ordinance.

*  The date of the referendum must be published in a newspaper of GENERAL CIRCULATION in the municipality at least once a week for two weeks prior to the referendum.

What a great way to meet our fellow citizens.  They are a fine group with one common goal:  to do what's in the best interest for our city and it's citizens. 

Susan Borsje'