Commissioners seek ways around new law on personal finances
By Larry Barszewski
Manalapan commissioners want to know if there’s any way local elected officials can get around a new state law — other than by resigning their seats by Dec. 30 — that requires them to make public more of their personal financial information.
“I really think it’s opening up the door to some very serious problems,” said Vice Mayor John Deese, who has written the governor seeking his assistance in changing the law. “We could lose our entire commission over this.”
Some ideas mentioned at the Sept. 25 commission meeting included putting assets in a spouse’s name, turning the Town Commission into an appointed body — though that would require a referendum and raised the question of who would do the appointing — or simply refusing to file the required form and paying the penalty instead.
Commissioners say the increased requirements don’t make sense for officials in small towns, especially in places like Manalapan where it’s difficult enough to get people to fill the elected positions, where commissioners earn no salary and where the limited candidate pool includes business executives who may not want their financial portfolios or client names available online for anyone to see.
“There aren’t any gold bars or cash in my suits or anything like that,” said Mayor Stewart Satter, who has suggested he may resign instead of complying with the rules of the new law. He said the requirements are “political window-dressing” and won’t better protect the public from unscrupulous officials.
Commissioners plan to hold a workshop meeting Oct. 24 to get more information about the law and what options are available. It’s possible, if a majority of the commission would rather resign than comply, that Gov. Ron DeSantis would fill the vacancies. Officials said nothing in the Town Charter would require DeSantis to pick town residents for the seats.
The new state law requires mayors and other municipal elected officials to disclose their full net worth, certain clients and the aggregate value of jewelry, art and other household goods. It requires the information to be filed in an online system and available to the public who want to see it. Those who don’t comply can face a penalty of up to $20,000 and possible removal from office.
Town elected officials currently must fill out Form 1, which asks for sources of income, liabilities and interests in businesses, but without specific dollar amounts. Starting Jan. 1, they will have to fill out the more detailed Form 6, which is already required to be filed by the governor, lieutenant governor, legislators, county commissioners, sheriffs and various other officials.
At the commission’s Sept. 18 meeting, state Sen. Bobby Powell, D-Riviera Beach, said it’s virtually impossible for changes to be made to the law before it takes effect in January. Powell, who voted against the new law, suggested the commission work toward building a coalition with officials from other towns to push for changes to the law when the Florida Legislature convenes next year.
Budget, tax rate approved
Commissioners unanimously voted Sept. 25 to keep the town’s tax rate the same, at $3 per $1,000 of assessed value. That represents an overall 13.35% tax increase for existing properties, not including new construction, because of rising property values in town.
The commission also adopted a $7.88 million general fund budget — which covers the town’s day-to-day operations — for the fiscal year that started Oct. 1, a 12.8% increase. The general fund budget includes $166,132 to cover the cost of a 7% raise for town employees, $291,944 for insurance costs, $274,500 for the security guard contract on Point Manalapan, and $2 million for the fire-rescue contract with Palm Beach County.
In other news:
• Commissioners approved a site plan revision for Thaikyo Asian Restaurant, 201 S. Ocean Blvd., in Plaza Del Mar. The changes include an extension of the awning-covered outdoor dining area on the north side of the building farther to the east (the front of the building). It will include a lounge area for patrons waiting to be seated and a window opening for bar service. The restaurant plans to make the changes in the spring, following peak season, said project manager Kermit Schilling.
• Town Manager Linda Stumpf told commissioners that former Mayor Peter Blum, who died in January, included the Manalapan Library in his will. P
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