Councilman graduates from government course
Fort Myers Beach Councilman Joe Kosinski recently graduated from the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, according to an announcement by the Florida League of Cities, Inc.
Kosinski, who was elected to the FMB Town Council back in March, completed the “intense” 16-hour course where participants learn about aspects of municipal government from a voluntary faculty. Topics include municipal government structure, revenue components and governmental accounting for cities as well as intergovernmental relations and council relationships. The courses are taught by some of the most respected experts in the state.
“This course was directed to generalized functioning within the town office,” Kosinski said. “The structure and function of government in Florida is unique because of the Sunshine Laws-very open to the public. Florida has the best Sunshine Laws in the country, and I believe this is good for our citizens. The course also dealt with identifying revenue sources and what is available within our jurisdiction. And, we learned about the Ethics Laws in Florida.”
Knowledge gained from the course may help the “newest” council member in his endeavors to aid in the budget process.
“I have already spoken with Town Manager Terry Stewart about diversification of revenues and their availabilities within our town. Mr. Stewart touched upon this at our last Council work session,” he said. “I believe that Mr. Stewart looks at diversification in the same way — we need to be less dependent upon property taxes.”
Started 18 years ago as a way to educate newly elected officials on the intricacies of municipal government in a cost-effective manner, the IEMO grew out of a partnership between the Florida League of Cities and the John Scott Dailey Institute of Government. Class sizes are kept small allowing participants to network.
“The seminar was a three-day course with sessions in the morning and afternoon. Two lunches were provided as a group so that we could socialize with other municipal officials who were there,” he said.
According to Kosinski, roughly 30 officials from different size cities and counties attended the course in Fort Lauderdale. It is offered three times a year at various locations around Florida. Many IEMO graduates claim that, through this idea-sharing mechanism, they have been able to develop solutions to local problems.
Last year, after being elected to office, Councilman Alan Mandel attended and graduated from the IEMO course and called it “an excellent introduction” to some of the key issues facing Florida municipalities.
“One of the areas they really focused on when I went was Home Rule. It was a very good discussion of the changes that have been going on with issues we face versus the state,” he said.
Mandel cited the Beach Fertilizer Ordinance, which he worked on as part of the Town’s Local Planning Agency, as a reference to the Home Rule.
“An interesting one that hit home was developing the fertilizer ordinance. It was more rigorous then what the state was proposing,” he said. “That turns out to be an example of Home Rule versus State Rule. The State is trying to make their rule supersede the local rule, which is the opposite of what it traditionally is.”
FLC President Joy Cooper, mayor of Hallandale Beach, is extremely proud of these new IEMO graduates.
“I commend these officials for completing the class; it is a great municipal
overview and very Florida-specific. The League and the Institute of Government are proud of this program! As you know, Florida is comprised of people from all over the world, and civic knowledge is a critical factor for Florida’s communities,” she said.
Prior to being elected to Council, Kosinski served a whole year on the Local Planning Agency. The top vote getter during the Council elections last March, he has more than 30 years of experience as an engineer.