Mission Statement To represent interests of the City as expressed by the City Commission and the Charter Officers, and as prescribed by law.

Objectives
The objectives for the City Attorney's Office are to:
• Provide legal advice and counsel to the City, its elected and appointed officials, its Boards, Departments, and Agencies, including the Community Redevelopment Agency.
• Prosecute and defend all suits for and on behalf of the City, as authorized by the City Commission.
• Prepare or approve all contracts, bonds, and other instruments in writing in which the City is concerned, and render opinions upon questions of law.
• Provide administrative staff and legal counsel to the Code Enforcement Board and the Nuisance Abatement Board.
• Prosecute municipal ordinances not tied with a state statute(s).

Goals
The major goals for the City Attorney's Office for FY's 2005/2006 are to:
• Effectively represent the interests of the City by minimizing liability and defending against claims.
• Practice the art of preventive lawyering by avoiding unnecessary, unproductive lawsuits, or legal problems. These goals can be met by knowing the law through continuing legal education courses and advising the City Commission, Charter Officers, Department Heads, and employees on legal issues before they ripen into litigation.

Service Initiatives
The basic service initiatives for the City Attorney's Office for FY's 2005/2006 are to:
• City Commission: The City Attorney represents the interests of the City as expressed by the City Commission and as prescribed by law. The Attorney's office provides legal counsel at all City Commission meetings as required.
• City Manager and Departments: The City Attorney represents the interests of the City as expressed by the City Manager and as prescribed by law before all courts, agencies and parties as required by law. The City Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to the City Manager and departments.
• General Manager of Utilities:  The City Attorney assigns the Utilities Attorney to provide legal advice and counsel to the General Manager of Utilities.
• City Auditor: The City Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to the City Auditor.
• Clerk of the Commission: The City Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to the Clerk of the Commission.
• Equal Opportunity Director: The City Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to the Equal Opportunity Director, Equal Opportunity Committee, and the Human Rights Board.
• Administrative Quasi/Judicial Advisory Boards: The City Attorney provides legal counsel and advice at all board and committee meetings as required.
• Regional Transit:  The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and counsel on matters related to the Regional Transit System.
• Stormwater Management Utility: The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and counsel on matters related to the Stormwater Management.
• Community Redevelopment Agency: The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and counsel on matters related to community development.
• Self-Insurance Fund: The City Attorney dedicates the equivalent of one and one-half full-time attorney, a part-time legal assistant, and part-time paralegal for claims and litigation covered by the City's Self-Insurance Fund.

Long-Range Goals (2-5 Yrs.)
The Long-Range Goals for the City Attorney's Office are to:
• Provide legal advice and counsel to the City, its elected and appointed officers and employees to mitigate cases and claims.
• Protect and preserve the legal rights and assets of the City by challenging unlawful or unwarranted acts.
• Reduce litigation fees and expenses related to lawsuits and claims covered under the Police Insurers Liability Insurance by representing the City's interest in certain identified cases.