TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Cale Curtis, City Manager
DATE: March 4, 2020
Title
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, OPPOSING SENATE BILL 1302, RELATING TO SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
BACKGROUND: Senate Bill 1302 proposes increasing the cap on collecting judgments against government entities from $300,000 to $500,000 per-occurrence and eliminating the $200,000 per-claimant cap. It also allows settlement of a claim over the $500,000 cap without a claim bill approved by the Legislature.
The Bill also includes an adjustment of the sovereign immunity caps in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index. Further, it provides that the liability cap is based upon what is in effect on the date of a final judgment; therefore, these new limits would apply to lawsuits that were filed and not adjudicated prior to the effective date of the Bill.
RECOMMENDATION:
FISCAL IMPACT: To be determined; however, larger settlement or judgement amounts could be expected for current and future claims.
CONTACT PERSON: Cale Curtis, City Manager