HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_02-11_02/10/2011 RESOLUTION NO. 2 -11
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, URGING GOVERNOR SCOTT AND THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE PENSION REFORM; EXPRESSING ITS DESIRE FOR
LEGISLATIVE REFORM THAT WOULD ALLOW A MULTI -TIER PLAN
THAT PROVIDES VARYING BENEFITS TO DIFFERENT TIERS,
WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THE RECEIPT OF STATE INSURANCE
PREMIUM TAX FUNDS FOR POLICE AND FIRE PENSION PLANS;
DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO PROVIDE COPIES OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, TO THE FLORIDA
SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO THE FLORIDA
LEAGUE OF CITIES AND THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LEAGUE OF
CITIES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Village of Tequesta has established pension plans for its general
employees as well as its police officers and fire fighters; and
WHEREAS, the Village's pension plans, as is the case with most, if not all
government pension plans, have suffered due to the current economic downturn; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to derive as much benefit as possible for all pension plan
employees, the Village Council met with the various collective bargaining units and
successfully negotiated pension plan modifications which involved multiple tiers that
provide for varying benefits; and
WHEREAS, the multiple tier plan provides extra benefits for police and firefighter
pension plan participants, and maintains the intent of state insurance premium tax funds
under Chapters 175 and 185, F.S.; and
WHEREAS, despite the Village's proactive approach to improve its pension plans,
which approach recognizes the purpose and intent of insurance premium tax funds, and
provides additional benefits to pension plan participants, the proposed improvements
were rejected by the state which advised that such a multiple tier plan would jeopardize
the Village's continued receipt of state insurance premium tax funds under Chapters 175
and 185, F.S.; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Tequesta believes that current state legislation is in
need of reform to allow meaningful pension plan reform such as that proposed by the
1 II,
Village and rejected by the state; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council desires to urge the Governor of Florida and the
Florida legislature to engage in meaningful pension plan legislation reform to allow such
reform as described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1 : The foregoing recitals are true and accurate, and are hereby
incorporated into this Resolution.
Section 2: The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Florida, hereby urges
Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature to address the issue of public employee
pension reform and give consideration to reform that would allow a multi -tier plan that
provides varying benefits to different tiers, without jeopardizing the receipt of state
insurance premium tax funds for police and fire pension plans.
Section 3: The Village Clerk is hereby directed to provide copies of this
resolution to Governor Rick Scott, to the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, to
the Florida League of Cities and the Palm Beach County League of Cities.
Section 4 : This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the Village Council.
2
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Council Member Turnquest who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Vice -Mayor Paterno and upon being put to a
vote, the vote was as follows:
For Adoption Against Adoption
Mayor Pat Watkins X
Vice -Mayor Tom Paterno X
Council Member Vince Arena X
Council Member Jim Humpage X
Council Member Calvin Turnquest X
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed and adopted this 10 day of
February, 2011.
VICE -MAYOR OF TEQUESTA
Tom Patern
ATTEST:
Ge O
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Lori McWilliams, MMC S U,. /NC�APpATE a`
Village Clerk D '
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