Southeastern Florida Jurisdictional Organization

Political Subdivisions in the Region

This section outlines the structure of government within the southeastern portion of Florida. This area utilizes a system of governance where various levels of administration operate independently within designated boundaries.

Levels of Government

• Municipalities: Incorporated cities, towns, and villages. These units provide services such as local law enforcement, fire protection, zoning, and sanitation within their respective areas. Their autonomy is defined by their charters and subject to state laws.
• Special Districts: Created to provide specific services like water management, fire control, or transportation, often crossing municipal lines. Their governance varies depending on their enabling legislation.
• Regional Planning Councils: These bodies facilitate coordination between local governments on issues that transcend individual municipal boundaries, such as transportation, environmental protection, and economic development.

The Relationship Between Municipalities and Larger Administrative Entities

While municipalities retain considerable autonomy, they are also integral parts of larger divisions. The responsibilities of these larger bodies can include managing elections, maintaining public records, providing social services, and administering the judicial system at a regional level.

Geographic Divisions in Southeastern Florida

The geographic organization plays a crucial role in the administration of services and governance. These divisions may encompass multiple municipalities and unincorporated areas.

Functions of these geographic divisions include:

• Overarching law enforcement and emergency management coordination.
• Region-wide social services and health department administration.
• Management of major transportation infrastructure projects.

Unincorporated Areas

Regions exist that are not part of any incorporated municipality. In these areas, the responsibility for providing services usually defaults to the larger divisions. This includes law enforcement, fire rescue, and zoning regulations. These zones often lack a local government, with residents relying on the administrative division for services.