Resident concerns about special interests and over-development within the City, as well as County growth and influence, were recently addressed at the Voting Booth. But those concerns are intensified by the States’ action to compromise local governance through the erosion of Home Rule.
The State has (and is passing) four laws over the last as many years to override local governance of municipalities, and now the City of Naples in particular.
Defending our values is difficult enough, but State interference is a game-changer.
Home Rule is enshrined in the State Constitution, allowing municipalities to govern themselves without undue interference. But when the State decides to diminish Home Rule, your elected officials are prevented from independently governing on your behalf.
Decisions are made by legislators in Tallahassee. Voters lose control to decide what’s best for their town. Resident values and democracy become subservient.
These laws are sometimes applied to all municipalities in the State, but now the threat is specific, and the City of Naples is the target.
The Bill will change the game, with others able to garner control over the City’s largest asset, our wholly owned land and the Naples Municipal Airport.
House Bill 4005 was introduced last October and will move on to Senate approval. If passed, it will become law.
The Bill changes the Airport Enabling Act, removing the City Council’s authority to appoint City residents to the Naples Airport Authority (NAA), which manages the Naples Municipal Airport.
The City has been appointing members to the NAA Board since it was established in 1969.
But others want influence over who manages the Airport.
The Bill calls for County-wide “elections” for all NAA seats; an election not by City but Collier County who outnumber city residents by 380,000.
The Bill dilutes the City’s voice by 95%. If those in the County are allowed to vote on the management of our largest asset, 400K County residents will overshadow the 20K residents in the City.
The Bill also stipulates that two seats must be occupied by Collier County (not City) residents.
City Council has the authority related to planning, zoning, and building permitting over the Airport, as well as the authority to appoint members to the NAA, unless that authority is pre-empted by State or Federal Law.
So why the development of the State Bill to pre-empt our City’s authority?
The Bill was developed by Representatives outside our District and was certified by Senator Kathleen Passidomo.
No rationale for the pre-emption has been given; no accusations or evidence of NAA mismanagement, policy, or operational failures at the airport exist.
Public speakers at Council meetings, and letters from those who appear to be in agreement with the Bill, have asserted that those with influence at the State level do not like recent NAA appointments made by City Council. The majority of Council members on the dais have remarked over the last year that the Bill appears politically motivated.
Fairness and balance are hard to come by when financial stakes are high and when those who profit have influence. Political influence generally follows the money, and the City of Naples is an epicenter for such influence.
If a State that values tourism and growth can step in and regulate your zoning, your land, and make unwarranted changes to the management of your local assets, it seems not out of the question that they would step in to control your beaches, require public parking garages, and regulate your development codes, advancing local transient activity and growth in your City.
These interests are contrary to those of our residents who crave preservation, neighborhood charm, and local control.
The City has already been impacted by prior Senate Bills preventing code changes, which prevent the City from responding to the very resiliency improvements that the State claims municipalities must enact.
The Bill prevents the protection of green spaces and initiatives to limit congestion.
City Council has denounced this latest Bill and agreed it must not move forward. But will Council prepare to defend Home Rule with legal action, or attempt to negotiate a lesser fate? YOUR voice must be heard.
Now that this House Bill 4005 has passed the House and has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee, the Committee must schedule it and approve it.
Referral to the Rules Committee does not guarantee a floor vote; you can object.
The Florida Senate Regular Session runs through March 13, 2026, which means Senate action needs to occur before then.
Naples City Council and City Residents must petition the Rules Committee NOW to “not” move this ill-conceived Bill forward for Senate vote.
WRITE to City Council and tell them no amount of compromise in the City’s management of the Airport is acceptable.
WRITE to Collier Commissioner Kowal for support to stop this Bill.
WRITE to Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Chair of the Rules Committee; write to members of the Rules Committee, and Governor DeSantis to object to the State over-reach.
Tell them to stop House Bill 4005; tell them you value Home Rule, the independence of your municipality, and the right to manage your land and its’ assets.
Tell the State that your voice and your local governance matters and that the City must not lose control of their land and governance of the Naples Municipal Airport to the County and State.
GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com
Florida Senate Rules Committee:
Senator Kathleen Passidomo (Chair) – 📧 passidomo.kathleen.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Shevrin D. “Shev” Jones (Vice Chair) – 📧 jones.shevrin.web@flsenate.gov
Committee Members
· Senator Bryan Avila – 📧 avila.bryan.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Lori Berman – 📧 berman.lori.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Jim Boyd – 📧 boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Jennifer Bradley – 📧 bradley.jennifer.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Jason Brodeur – 📧 brodeur.jason.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Danny Burgess – 📧 burgess.danny.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Colleen Burton – 📧 burton.colleen.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Tracie Davis – 📧 davis.tracie.web@flsenate.gov
· Senator Nick DiCeglie – 📧 diceglie.nick.web@flsenate.gov
CORRECTION: In our last volume we reported that two city council candidates who finished last in the recent City Council race were members of CCREC. In fact, we were informed by CCREC that John Langely is not a member of the organization. We apologize for the error.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed, stay engaged, and stay Naples.
Read the previous Volumes of Naples Watch by clicking here.
Your comments are welcome. Please reply to this email to let us know your thoughts.
Naples Watch is an independent resident opinion platform and is not a political committee. It does not endorse candidates or coordinate with any campaign.
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.