TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: A Resolution of the City of North Port, Florida, Authorizing the Use of Electronic Records and Electronic Signatures Pursuant to the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act and Directing the City Manager to Adopt and Implement Control Processes and Procedures for the Use of Electronic Signatures; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-03 as presented.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-03 as presented.
• Pros: Approval of this Resolution brings the City into compliance with Florida State Statute Section 668.50, also known as the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act. Cryptographic digital signatures provide assurance that the stated signer signed the content and that it was not altered after signing. This leads to significant cost savings based on staff time saved by routing documents electronically rather than manually. Additionally, there are substantial time savings derived from electronically routing documents.
• Cons: Staff has not identified a disadvantage to approving this Resolution.
Option 2: Deny Resolution No. 2026-R-03 as presented.
• Pros: Staff has not identified an advantage to denying Resolution No. 2026-R-03.
• Cons: If denied, the City would not be in compliance with Florida State Statute Section 668.50, also known as the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act. Furthermore, the City would miss out on significant cost savings and time efficiencies afforded by the adoption of electronic document routing and cryptographic digital signatures.
Background Information
Digital signatures use public key cryptography to bind a signer’s identity to a document and verify that the content has not changed, enabling security, integrity, and potential non-repudiation when paired with appropriate identity assurance controls under National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance. In the United States., electronic signatures generally have legal effect under the ESIGN Act, and Florida has adopted the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act at Section 668.50, authorizing governmental agencies, including municipalities, to accept and use electronic records and signatures, with agency discretion on how they are implemented; Florida’s Electronic Signature Act further defines electronic and digital signatures and recognizes their effect unless law provides otherwise. Implementing digital signatures requires selecting suitable identity proofing and authentication, using NIST-approved algorithms, managing keys, certificates, and audit trails, while ensuring electronic records meet Florida records retention and electronic recordkeeping standards.
Resolution No. 2026-R-03 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Resolution No. 2026-R-03 was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on December 12, 2025, for signatures, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2026-R-03
2. Digital Signature Manual
3. Florida State Statute Section 668.50
Prepared by: Vicki Edwards, Senior Business Administrator
Eric Ryan, Information Technology Manager
Department Director: Juliana B. Bellia, Assistant City Manager