(Ch)eatonville Independent
Civic Review

    Reference · links out to the State

    Florida Statutes

    The state laws that govern Town of Eatonville and CRA business. These aren't reproduced here — each is indexed and annotated, and links to the official text on Online Sunshine, the Legislature's own site.

    Redevelopment & the CRA

    3 statutes
    §163.387

    Community Redevelopment Trust Funds

    Ch. 163, Part III

    Governs the tax-increment trust fund that finances a CRA — how money flows in, what it may be spent on, and the agency's budget and reporting duties.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The controlling authority for nearly every dollar TOECRA collects and spends. Subsection (6)(c) lists the only authorized uses of trust-fund money; (6)(b) requires the annual budget be filed with the County.

    Read §163.387 on Online Sunshine
    §163.356

    Creation of Community Redevelopment Agency

    Ch. 163, Part III

    Sets out how a community redevelopment agency is created and what redevelopment powers a local government may delegate to it.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The legal basis for TOECRA's existence and for the board that governs it.

    Read §163.356 on Online Sunshine
    §163.357

    Governing Body of the CRA

    Ch. 163, Part III

    Establishes who serves as a CRA's governing body — the local governing board itself, or a separate appointed board.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Explains why Town Council members occupy CRA board seats and how the additional appointed members are seated.

    Read §163.357 on Online Sunshine

    Open government & public records

    2 statutes
    §286.011

    Public Meetings (Sunshine Law)

    Ch. 286

    Requires meetings of public boards where official action is taken to be open to the public, noticed in advance, and recorded in minutes.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Governs every Town Council and CRA meeting. The basis for questioning closed-door decisions, inadequate notice, or voting outside a public meeting.

    Read §286.011 on Online Sunshine
    §119.07

    Inspection and Copying of Public Records

    Ch. 119

    Establishes the public's right to inspect and copy government records, the limited grounds for exemption, and the fees an agency may charge.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The law every records request on this site is filed under, and the standard against which a records denial is measured.

    Read §119.07 on Online Sunshine

    Ethics & conduct of public officials

    3 statutes
    §112.3143

    Voting Conflicts

    Ch. 112

    Restricts a public officer from voting on a measure that would inure to their own special private gain or loss, or that of a relative or principal, and sets disclosure requirements.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The conflict-of-interest rule raised at the June 18 CRA meeting — central to whether a given member should vote on a given item.

    Read §112.3143 on Online Sunshine
    §112.313

    Standards of Conduct for Public Officers and Employees

    Ch. 112

    Limits employment and contractual relationships that conflict with public duty, and restricts certain dealings between an official and their own agency.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The framework for questions about an official's or staff member's private interests intersecting with Town or CRA business.

    Read §112.313 on Online Sunshine
    §838.022

    Official Misconduct

    Ch. 838

    Florida's criminal standard for an official who corruptly uses their office to obtain a benefit or cause harm, including by falsifying or concealing an official record.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Included only as the governing legal standard that defines the line for public office. Cheatonville does not allege anyone has violated it — it is here so readers know the standard that applies.

    Read §838.022 on Online Sunshine

    Money, budgets & procurement

    5 statutes
    §218.39

    Annual Financial Audit

    Ch. 218

    Requires local governments and certain districts to obtain an annual independent financial audit by a licensed CPA.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The requirement behind TOECRA's yearly audits — the documents this site relies on for financial oversight.

    Read §218.39 on Online Sunshine
    §200.065

    Method of Fixing Millage (TRIM)

    Ch. 200

    Sets the procedure, hearings, and notices a taxing authority must follow to set its property-tax millage rate each year.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Governs how the Town adopts the tax rates that in turn feed the CRA's tax-increment revenue.

    Read §200.065 on Online Sunshine
    §255.065

    Public-Private Partnerships / Unsolicited Proposals

    Ch. 255

    Sets the process for unsolicited public-private partnership proposals to build or finance public projects.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Bears on how large development partnerships involving public land or facilities must be solicited and handled.

    Read §255.065 on Online Sunshine
    §255.05

    Payment and Performance Bonds

    Ch. 255

    Requires payment and performance bonds on public construction contracts above a statutory threshold, protecting against nonpayment and nonperformance.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Applies to public construction the Town or CRA undertakes above the threshold.

    Read §255.05 on Online Sunshine
    Ch. 287

    Procurement of Commodities and Services (state agencies)

    Ch. 287

    Governs purchasing by Florida state agencies.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Included to clarify what does NOT control here: a municipality and its CRA procure under home rule and the Town's own Purchasing Policy, not Chapter 287. Listed so readers do not mistakenly assume state procurement law applies to Eatonville contracts.

    Read Ch. 287 (chapter) on Online Sunshine

    Municipal power, boundaries & district accountability

    3 statutes
    §166.021

    Municipal Home Rule Powers

    Ch. 166

    Grants municipalities broad authority to govern and act for municipal purposes except where the constitution or general law prohibits or preempts.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The source of the Town's authority to adopt its own purchasing policy and otherwise govern local affairs. (Note: there is no §166.051.)

    Read §166.021 on Online Sunshine
    §171.044

    Voluntary Annexation

    Ch. 171

    Provides the process by which a municipality may annex adjacent property on the petition of the property owner.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    Governs annexation questions around Eatonville's boundaries.

    Read §171.044 on Online Sunshine
    Ch. 189

    Uniform Special District Accountability Act

    Ch. 189

    Sets the reporting, transparency, and oversight requirements that special districts in Florida must follow.

    Why it matters in Eatonville

    The accountability framework that dependent special districts — the category a CRA falls under — operate within.

    Read Ch. 189 (chapter) on Online Sunshine

    Statutes are authored and published by the State of Florida. Cheatonville indexes them and links to the official text; it does not reproduce or restate the law. Official text: Online Sunshine .