LTC 206-2012 Limitations on Political Activities 1AMIBEAC.H
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO.I 206 -2072 . LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Member's of -the City Commission
FROM: Kathie G. Brooks,'lnterim City Manager
DATE: August 8, 2012
SUBJECT:. LIMITATIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
This "LTC is. to, inform you of a memorandum received from Joseph Centorino; Executive
Director-and General Counsel, Miami -Dade County Commission on Ethics and - Public Trust,
dated August 2012: "
The-memorandum addresses legal ; and ethical limitations on political campaign activities by '
public employees: To ensure that these restrictions are properly conveyed, Mr. Centerino
has requested that the memorandum be distributed to the elected officials, as well as posted
and distributed to City employees: in addition to this "a copy of the will be
circulated to City employees via e-mail 'and posted in Department bulletin boards.
If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 305.673.7411. -< x
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e.
Attachment
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F: \CLER \HATL \Letters \LTC \LTC Transmittal Memo Limitations on-Political Activities of County and Municipal Officers and
Employees.doc
MEMORANDUM
TO:' All County and Municipal Elected Officials, 'and County
and Municipal Employees
FROM: Joseph Centorino, Executive Director and General Counsel
Miami -Dade Commission on Ethics and'Public Trust.
RE: 'Limitations on Political Activities of County and Municipal Officers
and Employees
DATE: August 2012
This memorandum is issued for the purpose of underscoring limitations on
the political activities of all county and municipal. officers and employees during
.the current election season. The following limitations are imposed by Florida
Statute 1 by the Miami -Dade County Conflict of Interest and' Code- of Ethics
Ordinance, and other. state laws, local ordinances and previously- issued
administrative orders:
w • While all local officials and employees have a right to engage in
a political campaign activities, they must not use their official authority
to influence another person's vote or lo. affect the outcome - of 'an
election.
• County and municipal* staff wishing to be ' .involved, in` political
campaigns should limit such activity.to- off -duty hours.
• Political campaign activities_ may not be conducted`while on duty, and
must not 'involve the use of public resources in support of any political
campaign, including office stationery, computers_ , or vehicles. This is
consistent with the requirement that taxpayers' monies must be used
exclusively for public purposes.
• No public official or employee may coerce any public employee or
member of the public to, support any candidate or to contribute to a
political campaign.
•
No may solicitor accept a political contribution in a government
building, unless that * building has been .rented for the purpose .,of
holding a campaign fund raiser.
Violations of these provisions may result in criminal charges, civil ethics or
election violations, and/or administrative action:
The prohibition against 'on -duty political activity does not: prohibit casual
political discussions in the , workplace. Voluntary non- coercive speech of a
political. nature; like other non -work related discussions on matters . of public
interest, is protected by the First Amendment provided that it does not interfere
with .the proper functioning of the workplace and the efficient provision of public
services.
Any public employee having . knowledge of any violations of these
prohibitions, or of any other illegal or improper activities_ in connection with the
elections, should report these matters at. once.. Agencies having jurisdiction over
election complaints include the following:
Miami -Dade Commission on Ethics & Public Trust
305- 579 -2594 office
786 -314 -9560 hotline
ethics@miamidade.gov
www.miamidadeethics.com
Florida Elections Commission
850- 922- 4539.office
To file a complaint, visit: www.fec.state.fl.us
Miami -Dade Office of the State Attorney, Public Corruption Unit
305 -547 -0664 office
305- 547 -3300 hotline
www.miamisao.com
Miami -Dade Police Dept., Public Corruption Investigations Bureau
305- 59.9 -3121 office "
pcibinfo @mdpd.com
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