§ 2-148. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Advisory body means any county board, commission, committee, council or authority whose powers, jurisdiction and authority are solely advisory and do not include the final determination or adjudication of any personal or property rights, duties or obligations, other than those relating to its internal operations. A body with land planning, zoning, or natural resources responsibilities shall not be considered an advisory body.

Agent means a person acting or doing business for another.   

Board means the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.

Business entity means any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, self-employed individual, or trust, whether fictitiously named or not, doing business in the state.

Compensation means a payment, distribution, loan, advance, reimbursement, deposit, salary, fee, retainer, or anything of value provided or owed to a lobbying firm, directly or indirectly, by a principal for any lobbying activity.

County means Monroe County, Florida.

County chairman and county mayor are interchangeable terms which mean the chairman of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.

County office means any governmental office staffed by employees under the authority of the board of county commissioners.

Development permit means the same as this term is defined in F.S. § 163.3164.

Employee or county employee means any person employed by the board of county commissioners, whether by contract or not, except those persons described in the definition of "county officer."

Expenditure means the same as this term is defined in F.S. § 112.3215.

"Lobbies" also means influencing or attempting to influence, on behalf of another, the board's action or non-action through oral or written communication or an attempt to obtain the goodwill of a member or employee of the board of county commissioners or any board or council under their authority.

Lobbying means seeking, on behalf of another person or entity, to influence the board, contractors examining board, planning commission or any advisory body with respect to a decision in the area of policy or procurement or an attempt to obtain the goodwill of a county official or employee.

Lobbyist means any person, partnership, corporation or other business entity that lobbies on behalf of a principal. Lobbyist does not mean a county or other government official employee or any other person affiliated with any government while acting in his or her official capacity. Any person who only appears in his or her individual capacity for the purpose of self-representation without compensation or reimbursement, or other personal benefit, to express support of or opposition to any item, shall not be required to register as a lobbyist.

Officer or county officer means those persons defined in F.S. § 112.3145(1)(a); any other appointed member of a local government board who is required to file a statement of financial interest by the appointing authority or the enabling legislation, ordinance, or resolution creating the board, and any member of an advisory body appointed by and serving under the board of county commissioners.

Person means a natural person.

Planning commission means the local planning agency, as further described in the land development regulations of the Monroe County Code.

Principal means the person, partnership, joint venture, trust, association, corporation, governmental entity or other entity which has contracted for, employed, retained or otherwise engaged the services of a lobbyist.

(Code 1979, § 2-527; Ord. No. 10-1990, § 1; Ord. No. 022-2004, § 4; Ord. No. 011-2010, §§ 1, 2 )