League Info

About the Florida League of Cities, Inc.

The Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to serve the needs of Florida's cities and promote local self-government. The League was founded on the belief that local self-government is the keystone of American democracy.

Florida’s city officials formed as a group of municipal governments for the first time in 1922. They wanted to shape legislation, share the advantages of cooperative action, and exchange ideas and experiences. Growing from a small number of cities and towns, our membership now represents more than 400 cities, towns and villages in the Sunshine State. The League is governed by a Board of Directors composed of elected municipal officials. The League functions under its Charter and By-laws, while the Strategic Plan outlines the mission, goals and objectives.

The League’s headquarters is in Tallahassee, and Insurance Services and the Technology Services Department are located in Orlando. The League is the premier provider of many products and services developed especially for Florida’s cities. Our strength and success are dependent upon the support and participation of our members. We continue to explore new ideas for programs, products and services that will meet the needs of municipalities today and tomorrow.
 
A brief department overivew and contact information for many of these programs follows.

The DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES offers a comprehensive package of insurance and financial services to Florida’s local governments.
Through Insurance Services, the League administers the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT), which provides workers’ compensation, liability, auto, property and health insurance to governmental entities in Florida. The FMIT, owned by the participating members, is now one of the largest programs of its kind. It offers custom policies and lower rates through a unique revenue-sharing plan that saves members millions of dollars per year.
The department administers the Florida Municipal Association for Safety and Health.
For more information on Insurances Services, contact David Lodwick
Through Financial Services, the department provides the following:
ÜThe Florida Municipal Investment Trust, a local government investment pool that offers high-quality investment options for surplus and pension assets.
ÜThe Florida Municipal Pension Trust Fund, which provides full-service retirement plan administration for defined benefit, defined contribution, deferred compensation, and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) plans.
ÜThe Florida Municipal Loan Council, a fixed rate loan pool program for cities to use for capital improvements, renovations, fixed asset additions or refinancing of existing debt.
The department administers the Florida Government Finance Officers Association.
For more information on Financial Services, contact Paul Shamoun
 

The LEGAL DEPARTMENT ensures the League’s membership remains appraised of legal matters affecting their duties and responsibilities, and advances the membership’s point of view at the various levels of government. Legal staff is available to consult with Florida’s city attorneys on legal problems facing their particular municipalities, and offers advice on ordinances and ordinance search assistance. In addition, the Legal Department provides counsel on the effect of proposed legislation, monitors the development of state agency rules and files amicus curiae briefs in the state’s appellate courts.
The Special Investigation Unit, which investigates people suspected of committing insurance-related fraud against the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, is housed in this department.
The department administers the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association.
For more information, contact Kraig Conn
 

The MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT is often a city official’s initial point of contact with the League. The department serves as an information referral resource for members and oversees:
ÜA variety of training programs, including a monthly webinar series on city-related topics, advisory board training, and a new regional summit series.
ÜTraining specifically for elected officials, including the Institute for Municipal Elected Officials (IEMO) and the Advanced IEMO, intensive training sessions to assist city officials in effectively meeting the requirements of their elected role.
ÜTechnical Assistance Services, which is information and “one-on-one” training for League members and their staff in the areas of revenue enhancement and budgeting.
ÜCivic Education, including publications such as The ABCs of City Government and My City: I’m Part of It, I’m Proud of It!; promoting Florida City Government Week; and providing municipal and civics information to city officials and teachers.
ÜThe International Relations Program.
ÜThe Florida Municipal Achievement Awards program. 
This department administers the Florida City and County Management Association and the Florida Redevelopment Association.
For more information, contact Carol Westmoreland
 

The EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT serves as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, members serving on the various League-sponsored trusts, and Florida’s local/regional leagues. The department also oversees the League’s meetings, including the Annual Conference and Legislative Conference.
This department administers the Florida Association of City Clerks.
For more information, contact Linda Bridges
 

The POLICY AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT is responsible for directing the policy research and external political activities of the League. The research aims are to support the agenda of the League’s legislative efforts and to be a resource for cities. The department directly works to build political support for League initiatives at the state and federal levels. The department works closely with the Advocacy Committee, a leadership council responsible for building long-term public support for League policies.
In addition, the League’s federal advocacy program is housed within the department, including the Federal Action Strike Team, which deals with federal issues that affect municipalities. The department coordinates relationships with Florida’s congressional leaders and works closely with the National League of Cities.
The department administers the Florida League of Mayors.
For more information, contact Allison Payne
 

The LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT oversees one of the most important services provided by the League – representing municipal government interests at the state level. The foundation of the League’s legislative activities is rooted in the belief that all politics is local, recognizing that the best strategy for sustained legislative success is one that engages local officials’ participation on a continuous basis.
There are several ways in which elected and appointed officials may participate in the League’s advocacy efforts, such as by participating on one of the five legislative policy committees – Finance and Taxation, Intergovernmental Relations, Energy and Environmental Quality, Growth Management and Transportation, and Urban Administration. Members are appointed annually by the League president.
The department also is responsible for media relations, social media coordination and the League’s publications including the Datagram, annual municipal directory, Quality Cities, and various legislative publications.
For more information, contact Jenna Titcomb
 

The TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT provides technology assistance to League staff, and it administers the Florida Local Government Information Systems Association.
For more information, contact Becky Brennan

 

 

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Florida League of Cities, Inc.    |    301 S. Bronough Street, Suite 300, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
P.O. Box 1757 Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1757
Phone: (850) 222-9684    |    Toll Free: 1-800-342-8112    |    Fax: (850) 222-3806

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