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RESOLUTION PLACING A NON-BINDING STRAW BALLOT QUESTION ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF MIAMI DADE COUNTY WHETHER THEY SUPPORT THE COUNTY COMMISSION INCREASING THE COUNTYWIDE GENERAL FUND MILLAGE BY 0.1079 MILLS TO FUND IMPROVED ANIMAL SERVICES PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTY

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WHEREAS, this board desires to decrease dog and cat overpopulation, decrease public shelter euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats, and fund veterinary care and responsible pet ownership educational programs for the benefit of the community; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to determine whether the residents of Miami-Dade County support an increase in the ad valorem tax levy of 0.1079 mills for the purposes delineated above,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. A non-binding straw ballot question shall be placed on the Tuesday, November 6, 2012 general election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of Miami-Dade County the non-binding straw ballot question as set forth below.
Section 2. Notice of such election shall be published in accordance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes.
Section 3. The result of such election shall be determined by a majority of the qualified electors of Miami-Dade County voting upon the proposal. The polls at such election shall be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the day of such election. All qualified electors of Miami-Dade County, Florida shall be entitled to vote at said election. The County registration books shall remain open at the Office of the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections until twenty-nine (29) days prior to the date of such election, at which time the registration books will close in accordance with the provisions of general election laws. The question shall appear on the ballot in substantially the following form:
NON-BINDING STRAW BALLOT ON FUNDING IMPROVED ANIMAL SERVICES PROGRAMS

Would you be in favor of the County Commission increasing the countywide general fund millage by 0.1079 mills and applying the additional ad valorem tax revenues generated thereby to fund improved animal services, including:
� decreasing the killing of adoptable dogs and cats (historically approximately 20,000 annually);
� reducing stray cat populations (currently approximately 400,000 cats); and
� funding free and low-cost spay/neuter programs, low-cost veterinary care programs, and responsible pet ownership educational programs?

YES

NO

Section 4. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with the requirements of general election laws.
Section 5. Early voting shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of general election laws.
Section 6. Absentee paper ballots may be used by qualified electors of Miami-Dade County for voting on this question. The form of such absentee ballot shall be in accordance with the requirements prescribed by general election laws.
Section 7. A sample ballot showing the manner in which the question or proposal aforesaid will appear at this election shall be published and provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of general election laws.
Section 8. This election on the proposal aforesaid shall be held and conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of the general laws relating to elections and the provisions of the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter. The County Mayor or his or her designee, the Finance Director, and the Clerk of the County Commission are hereby authorized and directed to take all appropriate actions necessary to carry into effect and accomplish the provisions of this resolution. This election shall be a nonpartisan election. Election officials in connection with this election shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of general election laws.
Section 9. This election shall be canvassed by the County Canvassing Board, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.07 of the Home Rule Charter.