City Attorney's Office

FUNCTIONAL DUTIES:

The City Attorney serves as general counsel to the City and, with the assistance of an Assistant City Attorney, a law clerk, a law office manager and a legal secretary,  handles most of its legal matters.  The City Attorney defends and prosecutes for the City in civil litigation, ordinance violations and administrative proceedings.  Litigation in state and federal courts includes, but is not limited to, eminent domain, civil rights actions, inverse condemnations, mortgage and lien foreclosures, property assessment disputes, challenges to City codes and ordinances, appeals for review of City Commission decisions, and elections dispute cases.  Administrative proceedings include, but are not limited to, internal hearings of the Firefighters' Pension Fund Board, Planning and Zoning Board hearings, Code Enforcement Special Magistrate hearings, hearings before state administrative hearing officers in labor cases, and environmental cases.  The City Attorney's office is responsible for drafting, reviewing and revising ordinances, resolutions, contracts, facility use agreements, policies, real property instruments, and proposed legislation.  They conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions.  The City Attorney's office updates bankruptcy files on notices of bankruptcy; collects code enforcement fines, costs, fees and special assessments; and files claims when necessary.  The City Attorney also represents the City in appeals to state and federal courts.  This office continues to reduce the costs associated with representation of the City by keeping to a minimum the reliance on outside counsel for both litigated and non-litigated matters.

Mission Statement - "The mission of the City Attorney's Office is to assure representation to the City government, the City Commission, the City Manager and all appointed Department Heads as City Officers, and most adjustment, regulatory and advisory boards in legal matters affecting the City government."

DEPARTMENTAL PERSPECTIVE, TRENDS & HIGHLIGHTS:

The City Attorney's Office has grown into a fully staffed, operational component of City government.  The Department has experienced a steady increase in the kind and quantity of legal issues it must address.