§ 9-102. Findings of fact.

The following are findings of fact:

(1)

Polk County, a non-charter county, possesses the power pursuant to Article VIII, Section 1, Florida Constitution, and Section 125.01(1), Florida Statutes, to exercise its police power to promote the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of Polk County;

(2)

The present laws governing the conduct of bingo games in the State of Florida as provided in Section 849.0931, Florida Statutes, are inadequate to ensure that the various charitable, nonprofit, and veterans' organizations receive all of the proceeds to which they are entitled under state law because of the recordkeeping requirements;

(3)

Reported decisions of the courts of the State of Florida establish that monies from bingo games have been retained illegally or utilized for noncharitable purposes;

(4)

The board of county commissioners wishes to ensure effective enforcement of the laws quoted above regarding bingo games, and to see that the proceeds from such games pass into the hands of legitimate local charitable organizations to be used for legitimate charitable purposes pursuant to the intent of the statutes of the State of Florida;

(5)

Local regulation of bingo games is necessary and desirable; and

(6)

It is the intent of this ordinance to ensure the integrity of bingo games conducted in Polk County.

(Ord. No. 94-36, § 2, 6-14-94)