AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date:           March 9, 2009

From:                          Jay Evans, City Manager

Subject:                      Resolution in support of funding for public education.

Analysis:

The attached resolution will be considered by the Clermont City Commission March 10, 2009, and by the Lady Lake Town Council March 16, 2009.  Other cities are being encouraged to follow suit.

The resolution seeks to persuade the Florida Legislature to find alternative funding for education during the 2009 legislative session.

Options:

1.  Approve the resolution as presented; or

2.  Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate

Fiscal Impact: 

No direct fiscal impact to the City of Leesburg.  Indirect impact could include unintended funding reductions (state revenue sharing) to support education.

Submission Date and Time:    3/4/2009 3:31 PM____

Department: __City Manager___________ Prepared by:  __Jay Evans____________ Attachments:         Yes____   No __X___ Advertised:   ____Not Required ___X___ Dates:   __________________________                      Attorney Review :       Yes___  No ____ _________________________________            Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________ Finance  Dept. __________________                                    Deputy C.M. ___________________                                           Submitted by: City Manager ___________________

Account No. _____N/A_________ Project No. ___________________ WF No. ______________________ Budget  ______________________ Available _____________________

RESOLUTION NO._________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCE FOR EDUCATION DURING THEIR 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, Article IX of the Florida Constitution reads, "The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida.  It is therefore, a paramount duty of the State to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders.  Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, high quality system of free public schools....”; and

WHEREAS, the Lake County School Board and City of Leesburg have worked together jointly to provide educational facilities and to support the children living within the City of Leesburg and the County of Lake; and

WHEREAS, the cooperative relationships built between the City of Leesburg and the School Board has resulted in a high quality education for the children of Leesburg and the County of Lake; and

WHEREAS, the City of Leesburg has taken pride in the schools that exist within its borders and have helped to facilitate charitable contributions made to those schools within the City of Leesburg and the County of Lake; and

WHEREAS, the City of Leesburg believes that future economic development and quality of life within the City of Leesburg and the County of Lake rests in large part on the continuation of excellence within the public schools inside of its borders and in Lake County; and

WHEREAS, the current economic condition in the State of Florida and the United States of America is declining and funding to support public education has been reduced and further significant reductions are expected.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City of Leesburg is in support of making State funding for education a top priority within the State's budget and does not accept the national ranking of Florida remaining as number 50 out 50 states in per pupil funding of education; the City of Leesburg along with the School District of Lake County is requesting that State Legislators find an alternative funding source for Education during their 2009 legislative session.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the __9^th __ day of __March__, 2009.

                                                                 ________________________________

ATTEST:                                                             Mayor        

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City Clerk