Resolution 2000-368
RESOLUTION NO. OO-~
lOG
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OPPOSING A PROPOSED
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON A STATEWIDE
HIGH SPEED RAIL SYSTEM
WHEREAS. a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution will appear on the ballot in the general
election scheduled for November 7, 2000 pertaining to a statewide high speed rail system; and,
WHEREAS. the Collier County Board of County Commissioners is committed to a comprehensive.
continuous and coordinated transportation planning process as prescribed by federal and state laws to
develop information so informed decisions can be made; and.
WHEREAS, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners believes that the Florida Constitution
should remain a basic document that contains the root guidelines from which Florida law should be
written and should not be an instrument to implement policy that the Legislature declines to address, or a
compendium of special interest provisions; and,
WHEREAS, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners believes there are more appropriate
methods for evaluating. planning and financing a specific transportation project other than through a
constitutional amendment; and,
WHEREAS, the ballot language for this initiative contains no mention of funding provisions. nor does it
define the impact on other transportation priorities throughout the state; and.
WHEREAS. the Collier County Board of County Commissioners is concerned that no impact analysis on
Southwest Florida, nor any part of the state, appears to have been conducted for this initiative; and.
WHEREAS. the Collier County Board of County Commissioners is concerned that through this
initiative. the high speed rail system will receive the highest priority, and its construction will likely
require diversions of revenue generated from this area and which will be addressed before the high
priority transportation needs of this area; and,
WHEREAS, the initiative. if approved, must result in either additional taxes to implement this mandate.
or jeopardizing plans for other transportation projects throughout the state that have been planned and
funded, or some combination thereof;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners that it
is opposed to the proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution regarding a statewide high speed rail
system; and.
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED THAT the staff of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners
should work with the Florida Department of Transportation, other appropriate parties, and the media to
provide additional information to the public on the effects of this initiative, and urge all citizens to vote
against this constitutional amendment.
This Resolution adopted this 24th day of October 2000. after motion. second and majority vote.
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK. CLERK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
L
By:
JAMES D. C
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
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Mic ael W. Pettit, Assistant County Attorney
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