Small Town Mayors Express Outrage Over Invasive Form
A number of mayors and officials in Florida have resigned from their positions in protest against new financial reporting requirements. The controversial form, known as Form 6, requires lawmakers to disclose detailed information about their net worth, income, assets, liabilities, and business interests.
Attack on Home Rule and Small Municipalities
The new reporting requirements have sparked outrage among many small town mayors. Belleair Beach Mayor Dave Gattis expressed his concerns, stating, “Why did it suddenly have to become so invasive? We were already reporting our financial situation, but now they want it so granular that it almost looks like an attack on home rule and an attack on small municipalities.”
Gattis further questioned the motivations behind the new requirements, asking if the intention is to force municipalities to dissolve. He added, “I don’t get what Tallahassee’s end game is here.”
Resignations Across the Sunshine State
The wave of resignations has been felt across the Sunshine State, affecting communities such as North Palm Beach, St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Seminole, Fort Myers Beach, and Naples. Multiple media outlets have reported on the growing number of officials stepping down, with some planning to resign by December 31.
Those who choose not to comply with the new requirements face fines or impeachment, according to WPTV. The pressure to conform has led many officials to make the difficult decision to resign from their positions.
Transparency and Public Scrutiny
State Representative Spencer Roach emphasized the need for transparency and public scrutiny in public office. He stated, “When you serve in public office, it’s an honor but it also comes with a higher level of transparency and public scrutiny than you would otherwise.”
Roach, who handled the bill in the Florida House, explained that the long list of officials already required to complete Form 6 includes the governor, Florida Cabinet members, school board members, sheriffs, and the entire Florida Legislature. The form was signed into law in May.
Fight Against Invasion of Privacy
While some officials have complied with the new reporting requirements, others are taking a stand against what they see as an invasion of privacy. They plan to challenge the requirements at the state’s capital in the coming months.
Belleair Mayor Mike Wilkinson spoke out against the new regulations, calling them a “complete invasion of privacy.” He highlighted that officials in small towns are volunteers, not career politicians, and are simply trying to serve their communities. Wilkinson emphasized that their positions are part-time and that they have careers and families outside of their public roles.
As the debate over the new financial reporting requirements continues, the resignations of Florida officials demonstrate the tensions between transparency and privacy in public office.
