JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach City Councilman Cory Nichols is one of several lawmakers in Florida who are resigning from their position due to SB 774 and Form 6. Nichols says Form 6 is a 'major overreach.'
Back in May 2023, the Florida Legislature passed SB 774, which requires mayors and elected members of the governing body of a municipality to file Form 6 when doing their yearly financial disclosures. Form 6 has been around since the 1970s, and it is something many elected or appointed officials are required to fill out in Florida, including the governor, state representatives and sheriffs.
Before the bill took effect, mayors and elected city or town council members had to file Form 1; however, Form 6 provides a more comprehensive look at the filer's finances. It requires filers to disclose their net worth by Dec. 31, Form 1 does not. Filers of Form 6 also have to disclose their assets over $1,000, whereas on Form 1, it is over $10,000.
Form 6 also requires filers to disclose clients that make up more than 10% of the filer's income. Shannon Schott, a partner at Plata School Law in Jacksonville, says an argument over privacy could be made for this requirement.
"That's probably the most valid argument for people who have a business on top of their elected position for their client's privacy," Schott said. "I do think that might be a concern, certainly for private individuals who have people who might be attorneys or doctors, or something of that nature."
Nichols is stepping down Saturday, Dec. 30. He declined to go on camera, but spoke with First Coast News over the phone, claiming Form 6 was too invasive. Nichols says he wished current council members could be grandfathered in for the duration of the terms.
The Florida Commission on Ethics, which oversees financial disclosure information, pushed for this change to prevent conflicts of interest in city governments. Commission Director Kerrie Stillman said the Commission made this recommendation to "increase transparency and public trust in government."
The Florida League of Cities, which represents hundreds of municipalities in Florida, opposed the bill when it was introduced. The League believes the bill would deter otherwise qualified individuals from seeking municipal office, which often times, offers little-to-no salary. They were also against changing the disclosure rules mid-term.
Mayors and city council members must disclose their net worth by Dec. 31, but the rest of the financial disclosure form is not due until July 1, 2024.