Opinion ID: 1787406
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Does the ordinance propose a consolidation under Article VIII, Section 3 ?

Text: The trial judge enjoined a county-wide voter referendum of the five amendments on the grounds that a consolidation of municipal services into the county would result, and that the amendments obviously do not comport with the requirement of Article VIII, Section 3 to the effect that consolidation must be proposed by special law. We disagree with the trial court's premise, for despite their denomination by the Sarasota County Commission as consolidation amendments, it is apparent that the proposed amendments do not effect a consolidation within the meaning of Article VIII, Section 3. The process provided in that provision is the unification of the government of a county and the government of one or more municipalities into a single government, which would then exercise the powers previously held by both or all of the consolidated units. This provision of the Constitution applies only when one or more of the underlying governments disappears or is merged into the government of the surviving unit. [9]