Singh: We filed our lawsuit to keep offices independent
The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board took a hard jab at a lawsuit I am involved in along with the Orange County sheriff and Orange County tax collector against the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. (“Don’t make voters pay to void will,” Dec. 31.) The Sentinel ignored the fact that the lawsuit is the only way to reverse the county’s violation of Florida law, and preserve the independence of our offices.
In November 2014, the Orange County electorate voted on an amendment to the charter of Orange County. The amendment question put on the ballot by the Orange County Commission was asked as a “dual-subject” question. It was confusing and not presented legally to the voters. By law, an amendment question must ask the voter to approve or deny a “single-subject” item to assure there is no confusion as to what is being asked. Yet in November 2014, the ballot question strategically asked voters to approve term limits regarding constitutional offices such as my position of property appraiser, the sheriff, the comptroller, the clerk of court, and the tax collector, and it asked a second question of whether constitutional officers should seek election on a nonpartisan ballot.
Clearly, both issues require the say of the people, but, they should be asked in a legal format, not in violation of state law and the charter of Orange County. A lawsuit ensued challenging this illegality.
For the record, we began this lawsuit in October 2014 before the county election in November. After attending several County Commission meetings where the “dual-subject” ballot question was discussed, it was clear to me the County Commission was treading on dangerous, illegal territory.
If my office loses independence, then I and other constitutional officers are placed “under the thumb” of the County Commission. Regarding property appraisal, this paves the way for a greater likelihood that special interests in the county will receive favorable, but not always fair appraisals, favorable exemptions or tax-category designations (such as the much-valued and necessary “agricultural” classification), but not always fair. The average, politically unconnected property owner could lose because he or she doesn’t know “the right people.” As I continue to say, “When we all pay our fair share, we all pay less.”
I am no champion of lawsuits, but I will take to task any governmental agency that severely limits the right of the people to vote clearly and with confidence. When it is obvious there is decay in the democratic process and fair play is tossed to the wayside, we both — elected officials and non-elected citizens — need to take a stand. In this case, we need to take a stand and speak out against those who mislead voters for their own selfish, political gains.