The Certified Local Government Program (CLG) was enacted as part of the National Historic Preservation Act amendments of 1980. The purpose of the program is to link the federal, state, and local governments into a preservation partnership for the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties. Designation as a Certified Local Government, either as a municipality or a county, makes historic preservation a public policy through passage of a historic preservation ordinance.
Florida instituted the Certified Local Government program in 1986, and since that time has "assisted in the survey, designation and preservation of thousands of historic and cultural resources and helped to create public awareness of historic preservation." According to the Florida Certified Local Government Guidelines (1999), there are five requirements that must be met in order for a government to be considered a CLG. The requirements are as follows:
1. Enforce appropriate state or local legislation for designation and protection of historic properties.
2. Local governments shall establish a historic preservation review commission composed of professional and lay members in accordance with paragraph B.2.c.
3. The local government shall maintain a system for survey and inventory of historic properties.
4. Local governments shall provide for public participation in local historic preservation programs, including the process of recommending properties for nomination to the National Register.
5. Local governments shall satisfactorily perform the responsibilities listed in b.1-b.4, above and those specifically delegated to them by the State Historic Preservation Officer.
Benefits of a CLG are numerous, and were created to encourage participation in the program. According to the information packet sent out by the Bureau of Historic Preservation to local governments interested in participating in the CLG program, CLG's may:
- Receive technical assistance and training, both on-site and at regional meetings, for staff
and the members of their historic preservation boards.
- Have a formal comment role in the National Register Nomination Process for properties within
their jurisdiction.
- Compete for specific historic preservation matching grant funds set aside only for Certified
Local Governments. Funding is available for projects such as surveys to identify and evaluate
significant historic properties, preparation for National Register nominations and development
of preservation education materials such as booklets and brochures.
- Conduct project reviews for Florida's local option property tax exemption program
(project reviews in communities that are not CLG's must be conducted by the Division of
Historical Resources). The exemption is available for qualified improvements to historic
properties listed in the National Register and/or designated by a CLG.
As discussed in the CLG program, an effective local historic preservation program begins with the enactment of an historic preservation ordinance, and the creation of a qualified historic preservation board.
Becoming a Certified Local Government is an important step to take in any community, but it is not a required one. Currently, there are only 44 communities in the State of Florida participating in the CLG program.