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When it comes to local government, there are many terminologies to understand. Here is a question to consider: Do you know the difference between public meetings and public hearings? If not, you are not alone. The truth is, these two terms have commonalities, but...

Communities rely on their government leaders to act in the best interests of everyone. To support group objectives, people often spend considerable time comparing candidates and supporting those they believe will uphold the values of their community. When government...

Intergovernmental contracts can protect the objectives of your county while allowing you to collaborate with other governmental agencies who share similar concerns as you. Preserving the value of such an arrangement requires the use of a formal contract. Keeping your...

Public meetings can address a number of topics from homelessness and community planning to zone issues and resident concerns. Depending on the number of items needing attention and the availability of time, a single meeting could cover multiple topics. An agenda is a...

One of the most enduring traits of government in the State of Florida is how open it is. In order to maintain this openness, the Attorney General's office in Florida publishes the Government-in-the-Sunshine manual every year, which is a guide to the Florida state...

When it comes to deciding important issues that may affect the community like land use, public leaders may have to hold a public hearing. Some Florida residents have heard of public hearings and might confuse them with public meetings. The two concepts are closely...

As a resident of Florida, you have a right to know what is going on in the state government. Did you know that you are able to request, read and review matters of government meetings and official business held by government agencies? Public records are available to...

When you or other community leaders must decide on zoning laws, land use issues or similar matters that may impact the public, you may have to host a public meeting. The Florida Constitution and the Florida Sunshine Law set guidelines about hosting these meetings, and...

From environmental matters to land use and zoning concerns, there are a variety of unique legal issues that local governments encounter. Often, these issues are complex and officials may be unsure of how to approach the situation. If you are worried about the economic...

As a local government official, you might face a variety of different pressures, from concerns with public records requests to uncertainty related to zoning issues and more. Sometimes, local governments can also face significant uncertainty as a result of...