Frequently Asked Questions
(back to top)Lobbyists
Q. Is it necessary to register as a lobbyist to speak with city leaders about the issues that are important to me, my family and my business?
A. As a local resident and representative of the tourism industry, you are not required to register as a lobbyist unless you are compensated by an entity that requires you to influence city employees for the purposes of legislation and other government business.
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Gifts
Q. Can I ask for a meeting with many city council members at the same time to present my position on an issue?
A. No. Meeting with more than one government leader of the same government body at a time to discuss any political business would be a violation of the Sunshine Law.
Q. What about a meeting that involves a meal? Can I pick up the check?
A. Gifts of food and beverage not exceeding $25 on any given day are allowed.
Q. Can I encourage support on legislation with gifts?
A. No. It is a violation for an officer or city employee to accept any fee, commission, gift, gratuity, loan or other consideration for or in connection with any transaction or business done, performed or rendered in the course of his or her official duties and responsibilities.
Q. Can I give city officers gifts to show my appreciation?
A. City officials cannot accept, directly or indirectly, any one gift with a value greater than $100 or an accumulation of gifts in any one calendar year that exceeds $250 from any person or business entity.
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Sunshine Law (in a nutshell)
Q. What is the Sunshine Law?
A. Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law provides a right of access to most governmental council, committee, board, or commission proceedings at both the state and local levels. It applies to any gathering of two or more members of the same board, council, committee or commission to discuss some matter which will foreseeably come before that body for action. There is also a constitutionally guaranteed right of access. Virtually all state and local public bodies are covered by the open meetings requirements with the exception of the judiciary and the state Legislature which has its own constitutional provision relating to access.
Q. What are the requirements of the Sunshine law?
A. The Sunshine law requires that 1) meetings of boards or commissions must be open to the public; 2) reasonable notice of such meetings must be given, and 3) minutes of the meeting must be taken.
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Sunshine Law Applicability to the City of Jacksonville
Q. Can a City Council member write a letter expressing his/her opinion on a local matter and send it to all City Council members?
A. Yes, but the letter must be limited to providing a statement of position and cannot invite a discussion on the matter or ask for responses. The letter must be preserved as a public record.
Q. Can two City Council members meet at a local restaurant and talk about the upcoming football game or a church project they are working on?
A. Yes—as long as they do not talk about any matters “foreseeably coming before them in the Council.”
Q. Can a City Council member privately talk to, or write a letter to, the Mayor asking for action in a matter?
A. Yes, they are not part of the same “public body.”