LTC 242-2020 LIMITATIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
No. 242-2020
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
DATE: July 10, 2020
SUBJECT: LIMITATIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Attached please find a letter from Jose J. Arrojo, Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Commission
on Ethics and Public Trust on Limitations on Political Activities of County and Municipal Officers
and Employees.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673.7411.
Attachment
C: Jimmy Morales, City Manager
Raul J. Aguila, City Attorney
Joseph Centorino, Inspector General
Michael Smith, Human Resources Director
F:\CLER\$ALL\LILIA\LTC's - Transmittal's\Miscellaneous\Limitation on Political Activities.docx
MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION ON ETHICS AND PUBLIC TRUST
19 West Flagler Street, Suite 820 ⸱ Miami, Florida 33130
Phone: (305) 579-2594 ⸱ Facsimile: (305) 579-0273
Website: ethics.miamidade.gov
MEMORANDUM
TO: All County and Municipal Elected Officials and Employees
FROM: Jose J. Arrojo, Executive Director
Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust
RE: Limitations on Political Activities of County and Municipal Officers and Employees
DATE: July 2, 2020
As we approach August and November election dates, together with our partner agencies, this
annual reminder serves the purpose of underscoring limitations on the political activities of all
county and municipal officers and employees during the current and upcoming election season.
The following limitations are imposed by Florida Statute 104.31, by the Miami -Dade County
Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance, and other state laws, local ordinances and
previously-issued administrative orders:
o While all local officials and employees have a right to engage in political campaign
activities, they must not use their official authority to influence another person’s
vote or to affect the outcome of an election.
o County and municipal staff wishing to be involved in political campaigns should
limit such activity to off-duty hours.
o Political campaign activities may not involve the use of public resources in support
of any political campaign or candidate, including office stationery, telephones,
computers, or vehicles. Taxpayers’ monies must be used exclusively for public
purposes.
o No public official or employee may coerce anyone to support any candidate or to
contribute to a political campaign.
o No one may solicit or accept a political contribution in a government building,
unless that building has been rented for the purpose of holding a campaign fund
raiser.
o Violations of these provisions may result in criminal charges, civil ethics or election
violations, and/or administrative actions.
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.
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Agencies having jurisdiction over election complaints include the following:
Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics & Public Trust
305-579-2594 (office)
786-314-9560 (hotline)
Email: ethics@miamidade.gov
Website: ethics.miamidade.gov
Florida Elections Commission
850-922-4539 (office)
To file a complaint, visit their Website: fec.state.fl.us
Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney
Public Corruption Unit
305-547-0664 (office)
305-547-3300 (hotline)
Website: miamisao.com
Miami-Dade Police Department
Public Corruption Investigations Bureau
305-599-3121 (office)
Email: pcsinfo@mdpd.com
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Miami Regional Operations Center
(786) 336-1000 (office)