Most commissioners made disclosure on time

Historic City News reporters know that financial disclosure by public officials isn’t just a “good idea” — in Florida, it’s the law.

Every person who holds an office specified in Rule 34-8.003, F.A.C., must file “full and public disclosure” of his or her financial interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics by July 1st of each year during which he or she is in office in order to satisfy the requirements of Article II, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution, as amended by Part III, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes.

Every St. Johns County commissioner met that obligation, and did so on time — except Chairman Joseph “Ken” Bryan.

“Full and public disclosure of financial interests” means filing a sworn statement showing net worth, assets and liabilities together with either
a) a copy of the person’s most recent federal income tax return, including all attachments, or,
b) the completed income disclosure portion of Commission on Ethics Form 6.

The disclosure made by the freshman commissioner, John H. “Jay” Morris, who reports his residence at 106 Muirfield Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach, indicates that he is the commissioner with the greatest net worth — $4.7 million.

Morris was the first to file his disclosure Form 6 with the Commission on Ethics on June 1st — a full month before it was due.

The senior sitting commissioner, Cynthia W. “Cyndi” Stevenson, who reports her residence at 148 Cattail Circle in Fruit Cove, indicates that she is the second greatest net worth — $1,038,574.

Stevenson was the second to file her disclosure Form 6 with the Commission on Ethics on June 16th, two weeks before it was due. Stevenson and Morris are the only millionaires on the Board of County Commissioners.

Ronald F. Sanchez, who reports his residence as 724 CR-13 South, indicates his net worth to be $468,000. He was the third to file his disclosure Form 6 with the Commission on Ethics on June 20th.

Mark Partridge Miner, who reports his residence as 133 Egret Rd in St. Augustine, indicates his net worth to be $14,381. He was the last commissioner to file his disclosure Form 6 with the Commission on Ethics on June 28th.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by SJC