HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2010-160Temp. Reso. #11968
December 6, 2010
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA CONDEMNING THE INCREASES
IN HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE PREMIUMS THAT ARE
CURRENTLY AFFECTING PROPERTY OWNERS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA; REQUESTING
THAT THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND
THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS
AND TAKE ACTION, AS APPROPRIATE, TO END SUCH
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN HOMEOWNERS'
INSURANCE PREMIUMS; URGING THE BROWARD
LEAGUE OF CITIES AND THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF
CITIES TO JOIN IN ENCOURAGING THE GOVERNOR AND
THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE
ACTION TO HALT INCREASES IN HOMEOWNERS'
INSURANCE PREMIUMS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK
TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THE
MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, THE
BROWARD LEAGUE OF CITIES AND THE FLORIDA
LEAGUE OF CITIES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, since January 2009, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation ("OIR")
has approved approximately one hundred forty (140) residential insurance rate hikes,
ranging from less than one percent (1 %) to twenty-nine percent (29%); and
WHEREAS, as recently as September 2010, the OIR approved an average
statewide homeowners' insurance rate increase for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. of
10.3 percent; and
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Temp. Reso. #11968
December 6, 2010
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WHEREAS, in 2009, Governor Charlie Crist signed legislation which made it easier
for insurers to raise their premiums as much as ten percent (10%) annually; and
WHEREAS, property owners have no alternative to paying these increased
premiums to ensure that their homes are properly insured against damage and other
unforeseen conditions; and
WHEREAS, as homeowners work to pay these increased insurance premiums,
there is a greater likelihood that struggling owners will fall victim to foreclosure; and
WHEREAS, in October 2010, the State of Florida had an 11.9% unemployment
rate, as compared to a national unemployment rate of 9.6%; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tamarac (the "City") has a large number of retirees and
individuals on a fixed income who are unable to absorb the increased cost of insurance
premiums; and
WHEREAS, by raising premiums, insurance providers are taking unnecessary
advantage of hardworking property owners who are already struggling in a difficult
economic climate; and
WHEREAS, there has not been a significant weather condition in the State since
Hurricane Wilma in 2005 which would warrant even considering an increase in insurance
rate premiums; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature should explore all options to end such
increases in insurance premiums to ensure that property owners do not face a greater risk
of losing their homes; and
Temp. Reso. #11968
December 6, 2010
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WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac finds it to be in the best
interests of the citizens and residents of the City and the State of Florida to condemn the
increases in insurance premiums that are affecting property owners throughout the State
and to urge the Legislature to consider action to stop such increases.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and
confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2: The City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida hereby
condemns the increases in insurance premiums that are currently affecting property
owners throughout the State of Florida. The City Commission hereby further requests the
Legislature of the State of Florida to explore all options and to take action, as appropriate,
to end such significant increases in insurance premiums.
SECTION 3: The City Commission hereby further urges - ihe- Broward
League of Cities and the Florida League of Cities to join in encouraging the Governor of
State of Florida and the Florida Legislature to take the appropriate action to halt the
increases in insurance rate premiums.
SECTION 4: The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Governor of the State of Florida, the Florida Legislature, the Broward
League of Cities and the Florida League of Cities.
Temp. Reso. #11968
December 6, 2010
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SECTION 5: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 6: If any clause, section, other part or application of this
Resolution is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in
part or application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of
this Resolution.
SECTION 7: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND A OPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC,
FLORIDA THIS l- DAY OF ),�-�,i,�. (.t �—' , 2010.
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
MAYOR
B. TALABISCO Gk44
ATTEST: P. BUSHNELL
P. GOMEZ
D. GLASSER f.
H. DRESSLER
PETER J. RCHAR ON, CIVIC
CITY CLERK
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I
Have approved this
RESOLUTION as to form.
15- CITY ATTORNEY
SSG:JGH
HA2005\050164 TAMARAC\RESO 2010\TR (Insurance Premium Increases).doc