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2020 Florida Statutes
Chapter 171
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES
CHAPTER 171
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES
PART I
MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION OR CONTRACTION(ss. 171.011-171.094)
PART II
INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARY AGREEMENTS(ss. 171.20-171.212)
PART I
MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION OR CONTRACTION171.011 Short title.
171.021 Purpose.
171.022 Preemption; effect on special laws.
171.031 Definitions.
171.0413 Annexation procedures.
171.042 Prerequisites to annexation.
171.043 Character of the area to be annexed.
171.044 Voluntary annexation.
171.045 Annexation limited to a single county.
171.046 Annexation of enclaves.
171.051 Contraction procedures.
171.052 Criteria for contraction of municipal boundaries.
171.061 Apportionment of debts and taxes in annexations or contractions.
171.062 Effects of annexations or contractions.
171.071 Effect in Miami-Dade County.
171.081 Appeal on annexation or contraction.
171.091 Recording.
171.093 Municipal annexation within independent special districts.
171.094 Effect of interlocal service boundary agreements adopted under part II on annexations under this part.
171.011 Short title.—This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Municipal Annexation or Contraction Act.”
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190.
171.021 Purpose.—The purposes of this act are to set forth procedures for adjusting the boundaries of municipalities through annexations or contractions of corporate limits and to set forth criteria for determining when annexations or contractions may take place so as to:
(1) Ensure sound urban development and accommodation to growth.
(2) Establish uniform legislative standards throughout the state for the adjustment of municipal boundaries.
(3) Ensure the efficient provision of urban services to areas that become urban in character.
(4) Ensure that areas are not annexed unless municipal services can be provided to those areas.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190.
171.022 Preemption; effect on special laws.—
(1) It is further the purpose of this act to provide viable and usable general law standards and procedures for adjusting the boundaries of municipalities in this state.
(2) The provisions of any special act or municipal charter relating to the adjusting of municipal boundaries in effect on October 1, 1974, are repealed except as otherwise provided herein.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190.
171.031 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the following words and terms have the following meanings unless some other meaning is plainly indicated:
(1) “Annexation” means the adding of real property to the boundaries of an incorporated municipality, such addition making such real property in every way a part of the municipality.
(2) “Contraction” means the reversion of real property within municipal boundaries to an unincorporated status.
(3) “Municipality” means a municipality created pursuant to general or special law authorized or recognized pursuant to s. 2 or s. 6, Art. VIII of the State Constitution.
(4) “Newspaper of general circulation” means a newspaper printed in the language most commonly spoken in the area within which it circulates, which is readily available for purchase by all inhabitants in its area of circulation, but does not include a newspaper intended primarily for members of a particular professional or occupational group, a newspaper whose primary function is to carry legal notices, or a newspaper that is given away primarily to distribute advertising.
(5) “Parties affected” means any persons or firms owning property in, or residing in, either a municipality proposing annexation or contraction or owning property that is proposed for annexation to a municipality or any governmental unit with jurisdiction over such area.
(6) “Qualified voter” means any person registered to vote in accordance with law.
(7) “Sufficiency of petition” means the verification of the signatures and addresses of all signers of a petition with the voting list maintained by the county supervisor of elections and certification that the number of valid signatures represents the required percentage of the total number of qualified voters in the area affected by a proposed annexation.
(8) “Urban in character” means an area used intensively for residential, urban recreational or conservation parklands, commercial, industrial, institutional, or governmental purposes or an area undergoing development for any of these purposes.
(9) “Urban services” means any services offered by a municipality, either directly or by contract, to any of its present residents.
(10) “Urban purposes” means that land is used intensively for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental purposes, including any parcels of land retained in their natural state or kept free of development as dedicated greenbelt areas.
(11) “Contiguous” means that a substantial part of a boundary of the territory sought to be annexed by a municipality is coterminous with a part of the boundary of the municipality. The separation of the territory sought to be annexed from the annexing municipality by a publicly owned county park; a right-of-way for a highway, road, railroad, canal, or utility; or a body of water, watercourse, or other minor geographical division of a similar nature, running parallel with and between the territory sought to be annexed and the annexing municipality, shall not prevent annexation under this act, provided the presence of such a division does not, as a practical matter, prevent the territory sought to be annexed and the annexing municipality from becoming a unified whole with respect to municipal services or prevent their inhabitants from fully associating and trading with each other, socially and economically. However, nothing herein shall be construed to allow local rights-of-way, utility easements, railroad rights-of-way, or like entities to be annexed in a corridor fashion to gain contiguity; and when any provision or provisions of special law or laws prohibit the annexation of territory that is separated from the annexing municipality by a body of water or watercourse, then that law shall prevent annexation under this act.
(12) “Compactness” means concentration of a piece of property in a single area and precludes any action which would create enclaves, pockets, or finger areas in serpentine patterns. Any annexation proceeding in any county in the state shall be designed in such a manner as to ensure that the area will be reasonably compact.
(13) “Enclave” means:
(a) Any unincorporated improved or developed area that is enclosed within and bounded on all sides by a single municipality; or
(b) Any unincorporated improved or developed area that is enclosed within and bounded by a single municipality and a natural or manmade obstacle that allows the passage of vehicular traffic to that unincorporated area only through the municipality.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 1, ch. 75-297; s. 75, ch. 81-259; s. 1, ch. 84-148; s. 15, ch. 93-206.
171.0413 Annexation procedures.—Any municipality may annex contiguous, compact, unincorporated territory in the following manner:
(1) An ordinance proposing to annex an area of contiguous, compact, unincorporated territory shall be adopted by the governing body of the annexing municipality pursuant to the procedure for the adoption of a nonemergency ordinance established by s. 166.041. Prior to the adoption of the ordinance of annexation, the local governing body shall hold at least two advertised public hearings. The first public hearing shall be on a weekday at least 7 days after the day that the first advertisement is published. The second public hearing shall be held on a weekday at least 5 days after the day that the second advertisement is published. Each such ordinance shall propose only one reasonably compact area to be annexed. However, prior to the ordinance of annexation becoming effective, a referendum on annexation shall be held as set out below, and, if approved by the referendum, the ordinance shall become effective 10 days after the referendum or as otherwise provided in the ordinance, but not more than 1 year following the date of the referendum.
(2) Following the final adoption of the ordinance of annexation by the governing body of the annexing municipality, the ordinance shall be submitted to a vote of the registered electors of the area proposed to be annexed. The governing body of the annexing municipality may also choose to submit the ordinance of annexation to a separate vote of the registered electors of the annexing municipality. The referendum on annexation shall be called and conducted and the expense thereof paid by the governing body of the annexing municipality.
(a) The referendum on annexation shall be held at the next regularly scheduled election following the final adoption of the ordinance of annexation by the governing body of the annexing municipality or at a special election called for the purpose of holding the referendum. However, the referendum, whether held at a regularly scheduled election or at a special election, shall not be held sooner than 30 days following the final adoption of the ordinance by the governing body of the annexing municipality.
(b) The governing body of the annexing municipality shall publish notice of the referendum on annexation at least once each week for 2 consecutive weeks immediately preceding the date of the referendum in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the referendum is to be held. The notice shall give the ordinance number, the time and places for the referendum, and a brief, general description of the area proposed to be annexed. The description shall include a map clearly showing the area and a statement that the complete legal description by metes and bounds and the ordinance can be obtained from the office of the city clerk.
(c) On the day of the referendum on annexation there shall be prominently displayed at each polling place a copy of the ordinance of annexation and a description of the property proposed to be annexed. The description shall be by metes and bounds and shall include a map clearly showing such area.
(d) Ballots or mechanical voting devices used in the referendum on annexation shall offer the choice “For annexation of property described in ordinance number of the City of ” and “Against annexation of property described in ordinance number of the City of ” in that order.
(e) If the referendum is held only in the area proposed to be annexed and receives a majority vote, or if the ordinance is submitted to a separate vote of the registered electors of the annexing municipality and the area proposed to be annexed and there is a separate majority vote for annexation in the annexing municipality and in the area proposed to be annexed, the ordinance of annexation shall become effective on the effective date specified therein. If there is any majority vote against annexation, the ordinance shall not become effective, and the area proposed to be annexed shall not be the subject of an annexation ordinance by the annexing municipality for a period of 2 years from the date of the referendum on annexation.
(3) Any parcel of land which is owned by one individual, corporation, or legal entity, or owned collectively by one or more individuals, corporations, or legal entities, proposed to be annexed under the provisions of this act shall not be severed, separated, divided, or partitioned by the provisions of said ordinance, but shall, if intended to be annexed, or if annexed, under the provisions of this act, be annexed in its entirety and as a whole. However, nothing herein contained shall be construed as affecting the validity or enforceability of any ordinance declaring an intention to annex land under the existing law that has been enacted by a municipality prior to July 1, 1975. The owner of such property may waive the requirements of this subsection if such owner does not desire all of the tract or parcel included in said annexation.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this law, the annexation procedure as set forth in this section shall constitute a uniform method for the adoption of an ordinance of annexation by the governing body of any municipality in this state, and all existing provisions of special laws which establish municipal annexation procedures are repealed hereby; except that any provision or provisions of special law or laws which prohibit annexation of territory that is separated from the annexing municipality by a body of water or watercourse shall not be repealed.
(5) If more than 70 percent of the land in an area proposed to be annexed is owned by individuals, corporations, or legal entities which are not registered electors of such area, such area shall not be annexed unless the owners of more than 50 percent of the land in such area consent to such annexation. Such consent shall be obtained by the parties proposing the annexation prior to the referendum to be held on the annexation.
(6) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), if the area proposed to be annexed does not have any registered electors on the date the ordinance is finally adopted, a vote of electors of the area proposed to be annexed is not required. In addition to the requirements of subsection (5), the area may not be annexed unless the owners of more than 50 percent of the parcels of land in the area proposed to be annexed consent to the annexation. If the governing body does not choose to hold a referendum of the annexing municipality pursuant to subsection (2), then the property owner consents required pursuant to subsection (5) shall be obtained by the parties proposing the annexation prior to the final adoption of the ordinance, and the annexation ordinance shall be effective upon becoming a law or as otherwise provided in the ordinance.
History.—s. 2, ch. 75-297; s. 1, ch. 76-176; s. 44, ch. 77-104; s. 1, ch. 80-350; s. 76, ch. 81-259; s. 1, ch. 86-113; s. 15, ch. 90-279; s. 16, ch. 93-206; s. 1, ch. 93-243; s. 1, ch. 94-196; s. 1448, ch. 95-147; s. 12, ch. 99-378.
171.042 Prerequisites to annexation.—
(1) Prior to commencing the annexation procedures under s. 171.0413, the governing body of the municipality shall prepare a report setting forth the plans to provide urban services to any area to be annexed, and the report shall include the following:
(a) A map or maps of the municipality and adjacent territory showing the present and proposed municipal boundaries, the present major trunk water mains and sewer interceptors and outfalls, the proposed extensions of such mains and outfalls, as required in paragraph (c), and the general land use pattern in the area to be annexed.
(b) A statement certifying that the area to be annexed meets the criteria in s. 171.043.
(c) A statement setting forth the plans of the municipality for extending to the area to be annexed each major municipal service performed within the municipality at the time of annexation. Specifically, such plans shall:
1. Provide for extending urban services except as otherwise provided herein to the area to be annexed on the date of annexation on substantially the same basis and in the same manner as such services are provided within the rest of the municipality prior to annexation.
2. Provide for the extension of existing municipal water and sewer services into the area to be annexed so that, when such services are provided, property owners in the area to be annexed will be able to secure public water and sewer service according to the policies in effect in such municipality for extending water and sewer lines to individual lots or subdivisions.
3. If extension of major trunk water mains and sewer mains into the area to be annexed is necessary, set forth a proposed timetable for construction of such mains as soon as possible following the effective date of annexation.
4. Set forth the method under which the municipality plans to finance extension of services into the area to be annexed.
(2) Not fewer than 15 days prior to commencing the annexation procedures under s. 171.0413, the governing body of the municipality shall file a copy of the report required by this section with the board of county commissioners of the county wherein the municipality is located. Failure to timely file the report as required in this subsection may be the basis for a cause of action invalidating the annexation.
(3) The governing body of the municipality shall, not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the first public hearing required by s. 171.0413(1), mail a written notice to each person who resides or owns property within the area proposed to be annexed. The notice must describe the annexation proposal, the time and place for each public hearing to be held regarding the annexation, and the place or places within the municipality where the proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public. A copy of the notice must be kept available for public inspection during the regular business hours of the office of the clerk of the governing body.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 3, ch. 75-297; s. 1, ch. 78-19; s. 13, ch. 81-167; s. 13, ch. 83-55; s. 5, ch. 84-241; s. 2, ch. 2006-218.
171.043 Character of the area to be annexed.—A municipal governing body may propose to annex an area only if it meets the general standards of subsection (1) and the requirements of either subsection (2) or subsection (3).
(1) The total area to be annexed must be contiguous to the municipality’s boundaries at the time the annexation proceeding is begun and reasonably compact, and no part of the area shall be included within the boundary of another incorporated municipality.
(2) Part or all of the area to be annexed must be developed for urban purposes. An area developed for urban purposes is defined as any area which meets any one of the following standards:
(a) It has a total resident population equal to at least two persons for each acre of land included within its boundaries;
(b) It has a total resident population equal to at least one person for each acre of land included within its boundaries and is subdivided into lots and tracts so that at least 60 percent of the total number of lots and tracts are 1 acre or less in size; or
(c) It is so developed that at least 60 percent of the total number of lots and tracts in the area at the time of annexation are used for urban purposes, and it is subdivided into lots and tracts so that at least 60 percent of the total acreage, not counting the acreage used at the time of annexation for nonresidential urban purposes, consists of lots and tracts 5 acres or less in size.
(3) In addition to the area developed for urban purposes, a municipal governing body may include in the area to be annexed any area which does not meet the requirements of subsection (2) if such area either:
(a) Lies between the municipal boundary and an area developed for urban purposes, so that the area developed for urban purposes is either not adjacent to the municipal boundary or cannot be served by the municipality without extending services or water or sewer lines through such sparsely developed area; or
(b) Is adjacent, on at least 60 percent of its external boundary, to any combination of the municipal boundary and the boundary of an area or areas developed for urban purposes as defined in subsection (2).
The purpose of this subsection is to permit municipal governing bodies to extend corporate limits to include all nearby areas developed for urban purposes and, where necessary, to include areas which at the time of annexation are not yet developed for urban purposes whose future probable use is urban and which constitute necessary land connections between the municipality and areas developed for urban purposes or between two or more areas developed for urban purposes.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 2, ch. 76-176.
171.044 Voluntary annexation.—
(1) The owner or owners of real property in an unincorporated area of a county which is contiguous to a municipality and reasonably compact may petition the governing body of said municipality that said property be annexed to the municipality.
(2) Upon determination by the governing body of the municipality that the petition bears the signatures of all owners of property in the area proposed to be annexed, the governing body may, at any regular meeting, adopt a nonemergency ordinance to annex said property and redefine the boundary lines of the municipality to include said property. Said ordinance shall be passed after notice of the annexation has been published at least once each week for 2 consecutive weeks in some newspaper in such city or town or, if no newspaper is published in said city or town, then in a newspaper published in the same county; and if no newspaper is published in said county, then at least three printed copies of said notice shall be posted for 4 consecutive weeks at some conspicuous place in said city or town. The notice shall give the ordinance number and a brief, general description of the area proposed to be annexed. The description shall include a map clearly showing the area and a statement that the complete legal description by metes and bounds and the ordinance can be obtained from the office of the city clerk.
(3) An ordinance adopted under this section shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court and the chief administrative officer of the county in which the municipality is located and with the Department of State within 7 days after the adoption of such ordinance. The ordinance must include a map which clearly shows the annexed area and a complete legal description of that area by metes and bounds.
(4) The method of annexation provided by this section shall be supplemental to any other procedure provided by general or special law, except that this section shall not apply to municipalities in counties with charters which provide for an exclusive method of municipal annexation.
(5) Land shall not be annexed through voluntary annexation when such annexation results in the creation of enclaves.
(6) Not fewer than 10 days prior to publishing or posting the ordinance notice required under subsection (2), the governing body of the municipality must provide a copy of the notice, via certified mail, to the board of the county commissioners of the county wherein the municipality is located. The notice provision provided in this subsection may be the basis for a cause of action invalidating the annexation.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; ss. 4, 5, ch. 75-297; s. 3, ch. 76-176; s. 2, ch. 86-113; s. 1, ch. 90-171; s. 16, ch. 90-279; s. 16, ch. 98-176; s. 3, ch. 2006-218.
171.045 Annexation limited to a single county.—In order for an annexation proceeding to be valid for the purposes of this chapter, the annexation must take place within the boundaries of a single county.
History.—s. 2, ch. 74-190.
171.046 Annexation of enclaves.—
(1) The Legislature recognizes that enclaves can create significant problems in planning, growth management, and service delivery, and therefore declares that it is the policy of the state to eliminate enclaves.
(2) In order to expedite the annexation of enclaves of 110 acres or less into the most appropriate incorporated jurisdiction, based upon existing or proposed service provision arrangements, a municipality may:
(a) Annex an enclave by interlocal agreement with the county having jurisdiction of the enclave; or
(b) Annex an enclave with fewer than 25 registered voters by municipal ordinance when the annexation is approved in a referendum by at least 60 percent of the registered voters who reside in the enclave.
(3) This section does not apply to undeveloped or unimproved real property.
History.—s. 18, ch. 93-206; s. 5, ch. 2016-148.
171.051 Contraction procedures.—Any municipality may initiate the contraction of municipal boundaries in the following manner:
(1) The governing body shall by ordinance propose the contraction of municipal boundaries, as described in the ordinance, and provide an effective date for the contraction.
(2) A petition of 15 percent of the qualified voters in an area desiring to be excluded from the municipal boundaries, filed with the clerk of the municipal governing body, may propose such an ordinance. The municipality to which such petition is directed shall immediately undertake a study of the feasibility of such proposal and shall, within 6 months, either initiate proceedings under subsection (1) or reject the petition, specifically stating the facts upon which the rejection is based.
(3) After introduction, the contraction ordinance shall be noticed at least once per week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, such notice to describe the area to be excluded. Such description shall include a statement of findings to show that the area to be excluded fails to meet the criteria of s. 171.043, set the time and place of the meeting at which the ordinance will be considered, and advise that all parties affected may be heard.
(4) If, at the meeting held for such purpose, a petition is filed and signed by at least 15 percent of the qualified voters resident in the area proposed for contraction requesting a referendum on the question, the governing body shall, upon verification, paid for by the municipality, of the sufficiency of the petition, and before passing such ordinance, submit the question of contraction to a vote of the qualified voters of the area proposed for contraction, or the governing body may vote not to contract the municipal boundaries.
(5) The governing body may also call for a referendum on the question of contraction on its own volition and in the absence of a petition requesting a referendum.
(6) The referendum, if required, shall be held at the next regularly scheduled election, or, if approved by a majority of the municipal governing body, at a special election held prior to such election, but no sooner than 30 days after verification of the petition or passage of the resolution or ordinance calling for the referendum.
(7) The municipal governing body shall establish the date of election and publish notice of the referendum election at least once a week for the 2 consecutive weeks immediately prior to the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the area proposed to be excluded or in the municipality. Such notice shall give the time and places for the election and a general description of the area to be excluded, which shall be in the form of a map clearly showing the area proposed to be excluded.
(8) Ballots or mechanical voting devices shall offer the choices “For deannexation” and “Against deannexation,” in that order.
(9) A majority vote “For deannexation” shall cause the area proposed for exclusion to be so excluded upon the effective date set in the contraction ordinance.
(10) A majority vote “Against deannexation” shall prevent any part of the area proposed for exclusion from being the subject of a contraction ordinance for a period of 2 years from the date of the referendum election.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 17, ch. 90-279.
171.052 Criteria for contraction of municipal boundaries.—
(1) Only those areas which do not meet the criteria for annexation in s. 171.043 may be proposed for exclusion by municipal governing bodies. If the area proposed to be excluded does not meet the criteria of s. 171.043, but such exclusion would result in a portion of the municipality becoming noncontiguous with the rest of the municipality, then such exclusion shall not be allowed.
(2) The ordinance shall make provision for apportionment of any prior existing debt and property.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190.
171.061 Apportionment of debts and taxes in annexations or contractions.—
(1) The area annexed to a municipality shall be subject to the taxes and debts of the municipality upon the effective date of the annexation. However, the annexed area shall not be subject to municipal ad valorem taxation for the current year if the effective date of the annexation falls after the municipal governing body levies such tax.
(2) The municipal governing body, in the event of exclusion of territory, shall reach agreement with the county governing body to determine what portion, if any, of the existing indebtedness or property of the municipality shall be assumed by the county of which the excluded territory will become a part, the fair value of such indebtedness or property, and the manner of transfer and financing.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190.
171.062 Effects of annexations or contractions.—
(1) An area annexed to a municipality shall be subject to all laws, ordinances, and regulations in force in that municipality and shall be entitled to the same privileges and benefits as other parts of that municipality upon the effective date of the annexation.
(2) If the area annexed was subject to a county land use plan and county zoning or subdivision regulations, these regulations remain in full force and effect until the municipality adopts a comprehensive plan amendment that includes the annexed area.
(3) An area excluded from a municipality shall no longer be subject to any laws, ordinances, or regulations in force in the municipality from which it was excluded and shall no longer be entitled to the privileges and benefits accruing to the area within the municipal boundaries upon the effective date of the exclusion. It shall be subject to all laws, ordinances, and regulations in force in that county.
(4)(a) A party that has an exclusive franchise which was in effect for at least 6 months prior to the initiation of an annexation to provide solid waste collection services in an unincorporated area may continue to provide such services to an annexed area for 5 years or the remainder of the franchise term, whichever is shorter, if:
1. The franchisee provides, if the annexing municipality requires, a level of quality and frequency of service which is equivalent to that required by the municipality in other areas of the municipality not served by the franchisee, and
2. The franchisee provides such service to the annexed area at a reasonable cost. The cost must include the following as related to providing services to the annexed area:
a. Capital costs for land, structures, vehicles, equipment, and other items used for solid waste management;
b. Operating and maintenance costs for solid waste management;
c. Costs to comply with applicable statutes, rules, permit conditions, and insurance requirements;
d. Disposal costs; and
e. A reasonable profit.
If the municipality and the franchisee cannot enter into an agreement as to such cost, they shall submit the matter of cost to arbitration.
(b) A municipality, at its option, may allow the franchisee to continue providing services pursuant to the existing franchise agreement.
(c) A municipality may terminate any franchise if the franchisee does not agree to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) within 90 days after the effective date of the proposed annexation.
(5) A party that has a contract that was in effect for at least 6 months prior to the initiation of an annexation to provide solid waste collection services in an unincorporated area may continue to provide such services to an annexed area for 5 years or the remainder of the contract term, whichever is shorter. Within a reasonable time following a written request to do so, the party shall provide the annexing municipality with a copy of the pertinent portion of the contract or other written evidence showing the duration of the contract, excluding any automatic renewals or so-called “evergreen” provisions. This subsection does not apply to contracts to provide solid waste collection services to single-family residential properties in those enclaves described in s. 171.046.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 22, ch. 85-55; s. 1, ch. 88-92; s. 17, ch. 93-206; s. 2, ch. 93-243; s. 2, ch. 2000-304.
171.071 Effect in Miami-Dade County.—Municipalities within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County shall adopt annexation or contraction ordinances pursuant to methods established by the home rule charter established pursuant to s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 31, ch. 2008-4.
171.081 Appeal on annexation or contraction.—
(1) Any party affected who believes that he or she will suffer material injury by reason of the failure of the municipal governing body to comply with the procedures set forth in this chapter for annexation or contraction or to meet the requirements established for annexation or contraction as they apply to his or her property may file a petition in the circuit court for the county in which the municipality or municipalities are located seeking review by certiorari. The action may be initiated at the party’s option within 30 days following the passage of the annexation or contraction ordinance or within 30 days following the completion of the dispute resolution process in subsection (2). In any action instituted pursuant to this subsection, the complainant, should he or she prevail, shall be entitled to reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
(2) If the affected party is a governmental entity, no later than 30 days following the passage of an annexation or contraction ordinance, the governmental entity must initiate and proceed through the conflict resolution procedures established in chapter 164. If there is a failure to resolve the conflict, no later than 30 days following the conclusion of the procedures established in chapter 164, the governmental entity that initiated the conflict resolution procedures may file a petition in the circuit court for the county in which the municipality or municipalities are located seeking review by certiorari. In any legal action instituted pursuant to this subsection, the prevailing party is entitled to reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 3, ch. 78-95; s. 916, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 2006-218.
171.091 Recording.—Any change in the municipal boundaries through annexation or contraction shall revise the charter boundary article and shall be filed as a revision of the charter with the Department of State within 30 days. A copy of such revision must be submitted to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research along with a statement specifying the population census effect and the affected land area.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-190; s. 10, ch. 2009-96; s. 9, ch. 2011-14.
171.093 Municipal annexation within independent special districts.—
(1) The purpose of this section is to provide an orderly transition of special district service responsibilities in an annexed area from an independent special district which levies ad valorem taxes to a municipality following the municipality’s annexation of property located within the jurisdictional boundaries of an independent special district, if the municipality elects to assume such responsibilities.
(2) The municipality may make such an election by adopting a resolution evidencing the election and forwarding the resolution to the office of the special district and the property appraiser and tax collector of the county in which the annexed property is located. In addition, the municipality may incorporate its election into the annexation ordinance.
(3) Upon a municipality’s election to assume the district’s responsibilities, the municipality and the district may enter into an interlocal agreement addressing the orderly transfer of service responsibilities, real assets, equipment, and personnel to the municipality. The agreement shall address allocation of responsibility for special district services, avoidance of double taxation of property owners for such services in the area of overlapping jurisdiction, prevention of loss of any district revenues which may be detrimental to the continued operations of the independent district, avoidance of impairment of existing district contracts, disposition of property and equipment of the independent district and any assumption of indebtedness for it, the status and employee rights of any adversely affected employees of the independent district, and any other matter reasonably related to the transfer of responsibilities.
(4)(a) If the municipality and the district are unable to enter into an interlocal agreement pursuant to subsection (3), the municipality shall so advise the district and the property appraiser and tax collector of the county in which the annexed property is located and, effective October 1 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the municipality declares its intent to assume service responsibilities in the annexed area, the district shall remain the service provider in the annexed area for a period of 4 years. During the 4-year period, the municipality shall pay the district an amount equal to the ad valorem taxes or assessments that would have been collected had the property remained in the district.
(b) By the end of the 4-year period, or any extension mutually agreed upon by the district and the municipality, the municipality and the district shall enter into an agreement that identifies the existing district property located in the municipality or primarily serving the municipality that will be assumed by the municipality, the fair market value of such property, and the manner of transfer of such property and any associated indebtedness. If the municipality and district are unable to agree to an equitable distribution of the district’s property and indebtedness, the matter shall proceed to circuit court. In equitably distributing the district’s property and associated indebtedness, the taxes and other revenues paid the district by or on behalf of the residents of the annexed area shall be taken into consideration.
(c) During the 4-year period, or during any mutually agreed upon extension, district service and capital expenditures within the annexed area shall continue to be rationally related to the annexed area’s service needs. Service and capital expenditures within the annexed area shall also continue to be rationally related to the percentage of district revenue received on behalf of the residents of the annexed area when compared to the district’s total revenue. A capital expenditure greater than $25,000 shall not be made by the district for use primarily within the annexed area without the express consent of the municipality.
(5) If the municipality elects not to assume the district’s responsibilities, the district shall remain the service provider in the annexed area, the geographical boundaries of the district shall continue to include the annexed area, and the district may continue to levy ad valorem taxes and assessments on the real property located within the annexed area. If the municipality elects to assume the district’s responsibilities in accordance with subsection (3), the district’s boundaries shall contract to exclude the annexed area at the time and in the manner provided in the agreement.
(6) If the municipality elects to assume the district’s responsibilities and the municipality and the district are unable to enter into an interlocal agreement, and the district continues to remain the service provider in the annexed area in accordance with subsection (4), the geographical boundaries of the district shall contract to exclude the annexed area on the effective date of the beginning of the 4-year period provided for in subsection (4). Nothing in this section precludes the contraction of the boundary of any independent special district by special act of the Legislature. The district shall not levy ad valorem taxes or assessments on the annexed property in the calendar year in which its boundaries contract and subsequent years, but it may continue to collect and use all ad valorem taxes and assessments levied in prior years. Nothing in this section prohibits the district from assessing user charges and impact fees within the annexed area while it remains the service provider.
(7) In addition to any other authority provided by law, a municipality is authorized to levy assessments on property located in an annexed area to offset all or a portion of the costs incurred by the municipality in assuming district responsibilities pursuant to this section. Such assessments may be collected pursuant to and in accordance with applicable law.
(8) This section does not apply to districts created pursuant to chapter 190 or chapter 373.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2000-304; s. 29, ch. 2001-60.
171.094 Effect of interlocal service boundary agreements adopted under part II on annexations under this part.—
(1) An interlocal service boundary agreement entered into pursuant to part II is binding on the parties to the agreement, and a party may not take any action that violates the interlocal service boundary agreement.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, without the consent of the county, the affected municipality, or affected independent special district by resolution, a county, an invited municipality, or independent special district may not take any action that violates an interlocal service boundary agreement.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-218.
PART II
INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARYAGREEMENTS
171.20 Short title.
171.201 Legislative intent.
171.202 Definitions.
171.203 Interlocal service boundary agreement.
171.204 Prerequisites to annexation under this part.
171.205 Consent requirements for annexation of land under this part.
171.206 Effect of interlocal service boundary area agreement on annexations.
171.207 Transfer of powers.
171.208 Municipal extraterritorial power.
171.209 County incorporated area power.
171.21 Effect of part on interlocal agreement and county charter.
171.211 Interlocal service boundary agreement presumed valid and binding.
171.212 Disputes regarding construction and effect of an interlocal service boundary agreement.
171.20 Short title.—This part may be cited as the “Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement Act.”
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.201 Legislative intent.—The Legislature intends to provide an alternative to part I of this chapter for local governments regarding the annexation of territory into a municipality and the subtraction of territory from the unincorporated area of the county. The principal goal of this part is to encourage local governments to jointly determine how to provide services to residents and property in the most efficient and effective manner while balancing the needs and desires of the community. This part is intended to establish a more flexible process for adjusting municipal boundaries and to address a wider range of the effects of annexation. This part is intended to encourage intergovernmental coordination in planning, service delivery, and boundary adjustments and to reduce intergovernmental conflicts and litigation between local governments. It is the intent of this part to promote sensible boundaries that reduce the costs of local governments, avoid duplicating local services, and increase political transparency and accountability. This part is intended to prevent inefficient service delivery and an insufficient tax base to support the delivery of those services.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.202 Definitions.—As used in this part, the term:
(1) “Chief administrative officer” means the municipal administrator, municipal manager, county manager, county administrator, or other officer of the municipality, county, or independent special district who reports directly to the governing body of the local government.
(2) “Enclave” has the same meaning as provided in s. 171.031.
(3) “Independent special district” means an independent special district, as defined in s. 189.012, which provides fire, emergency medical, water, wastewater, or stormwater services.
(4) “Initiating county” means a county that commences the process for negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement through the adoption of an initiating resolution.
(5) “Initiating local government” means a county, municipality, or independent special district that commences the process for negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement through the adoption of an initiating resolution.
(6) “Initiating municipality” means a municipality that commences the process for negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement through the adoption of an initiating resolution.
(7) “Initiating resolution” means a resolution adopted by a county, municipality, or independent special district which commences the process for negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement and which identifies the unincorporated area and other issues for discussion.
(8) “Interlocal service boundary agreement” means an agreement adopted under this part, between a county and one or more municipalities, which may include one or more independent special districts as parties to the agreement.
(9) “Invited local government” means an invited county, municipality, or special district and any other local government designated as such in an initiating resolution or a responding resolution that invites the local government to participate in negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement.
(10) “Invited municipality” means an initiating municipality and any other municipality designated as such in an initiating resolution or a responding resolution that invites the municipality to participate in negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement.
(11) “Municipal service area” means one or more of the following as designated in an interlocal service boundary agreement:
(a) An unincorporated area that has been identified in an interlocal service boundary agreement for municipal annexation by a municipality that is a party to the agreement.
(b) An unincorporated area that has been identified in an interlocal service boundary agreement to receive municipal services from a municipality that is a party to the agreement or from the municipality’s designee.
(12) “Notified local government” means the county or a municipality, other than an invited municipality, that receives an initiating resolution.
(13) “Participating resolution” means the resolution adopted by the initiating local government and the invited local government.
(14) “Requesting resolution” means the resolution adopted by a municipality seeking to participate in the negotiation of an interlocal service boundary agreement.
(15) “Responding resolution” means the resolution adopted by the county or an invited municipality which responds to the initiating resolution and which may identify an additional unincorporated area or another issue for discussion, or both, and may designate an additional invited municipality or independent special district.
(16) “Unincorporated service area” means one or more of the following as designated in an interlocal service boundary agreement:
(a) An unincorporated area that has been identified in an interlocal service boundary agreement and that may not be annexed without the consent of the county.
(b) An unincorporated area or incorporated area, or both, which have been identified in an interlocal service boundary agreement to receive municipal services from a county or its designee or an independent special district.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218; s. 67, ch. 2014-22.
171.203 Interlocal service boundary agreement.—The governing body of a county and one or more municipalities or independent special districts within the county may enter into an interlocal service boundary agreement under this part. The governing bodies of a county, a municipality, or an independent special district may develop a process for reaching an interlocal service boundary agreement which provides for public participation in a manner that meets or exceeds the requirements of subsection (13), or the governing bodies may use the process established in this section.
(1) A county, a municipality, or an independent special district desiring to enter into an interlocal service boundary agreement shall commence the negotiation process by adopting an initiating resolution. The initiating resolution must identify an unincorporated area or incorporated area, or both, to be discussed and the issues to be negotiated. The identified area must be specified in the initiating resolution by a descriptive exhibit that includes, but need not be limited to, a map or legal description of the designated area. The issues for negotiation must be listed in the initiating resolution and may include, but need not be limited to, the issues listed in subsection (6). An independent special district may initiate the interlocal service boundary agreement for the purposes of dissolving an independent special district or in response to a proposed annexation that would remove more than 10 percent of the taxable or assessable value of an independent special district.
(a) The initiating resolution of an initiating county must designate one or more invited municipalities. The initiating resolution of an initiating municipality may designate an invited municipality. The initiating resolution of an independent special district must designate one or more invited municipalities and invite the county.
(b) An initiating county shall send the initiating resolution by United States certified mail to the chief administrative officer of every invited municipality and each other municipality within the county. An initiating municipality shall send the initiating resolution by United States certified mail to the chief administrative officer of the county, the invited municipality, if any, and each other municipality within the county.
(c) The initiating local government shall also send the initiating resolution to the chief administrative officer of each independent special district in the unincorporated area designated in the initiating resolution.
(2) Within 60 days after the receipt of an initiating resolution, the county or the invited municipality, as appropriate, shall adopt a responding resolution. The responding resolution may identify an additional unincorporated area or incorporated area, or both, for discussion and may designate additional issues for negotiation. The additional identified area, if any, must be specified in the responding resolution by a descriptive exhibit that includes, but need not be limited to, a map or legal description of the designated area. The additional issues designated for negotiation, if any, must be listed in the responding resolution and may include, but need not be limited to, the issues listed in subsection (6). The responding resolution may also invite an additional municipality or independent special district to negotiate the interlocal service boundary agreement.
(a) Within 7 days after the adoption of a responding resolution, the responding county shall send the responding resolution by United States certified mail to the chief administrative officer of the initiating municipality, each invited municipality, if any, and the independent special district that received an initiating resolution.
(b) Within 7 days after the adoption of a responding resolution, an invited municipality shall send the responding resolution by United States certified mail to the chief administrative officer of the initiating county, each invited municipality, if any, and each independent special district that received an initiating resolution.
(c) An invited municipality that was invited by a responding resolution shall adopt a responding resolution in accordance with paragraph (b).
(d) Within 60 days after receipt of the initiating resolution, any independent special district that received an initiating resolution and that desires to participate in the negotiations shall adopt a resolution indicating that it intends to participate in the negotiation process for the interlocal service boundary agreement. Within 7 days after the adoption of the resolution, the independent special district shall send the resolution by United States certified mail to the chief administrative officer of the county, the initiating municipality, each invited municipality, if any, and each notified local government.
(3) A municipality within the county which is not an invited municipality may request participation in the negotiations for the interlocal service boundary agreement. Such a request must be accomplished by adopting a requesting resolution within 60 days after receipt of the initiating resolution or within 10 days after receipt of the responding resolution. Within 7 days after adoption of the requesting resolution, the requesting municipality shall send the resolution by United States certified mail to the chief administrative officer of the initiating local government and each invited municipality. The county and the invited municipality shall consider whether to allow a requesting municipality to participate in the negotiations, and, if they agree, the county and the municipality shall adopt a participating resolution allowing the requesting municipality to participate in the negotiations.
(4) The county, the invited municipalities, the participating municipalities, if any, and the independent special districts, if any have adopted a resolution to participate, shall begin negotiations within 60 days after receipt of the responding resolution or a participating resolution, whichever occurs later.
(5) An invited municipality that fails to adopt a responding resolution shall be deemed to waive its right to participate in the negotiation process and shall be bound by an interlocal agreement resulting from such negotiation process, if any is reached.
(6) An interlocal service boundary agreement may address any issue concerning service delivery, fiscal responsibilities, or boundary adjustment. The agreement may include, but need not be limited to, provisions that:
(a) Identify a municipal service area.
(b) Identify an unincorporated service area.
(c) Identify the local government responsible for the delivery or funding of the following services within the municipal service area or the unincorporated service area:
1. Public safety.
2. Fire, emergency rescue, and medical.
3. Water and wastewater.
4. Road ownership, construction, and maintenance.
5. Conservation, parks, and recreation.
6. Stormwater management and drainage.
(d) Address other services and infrastructure not currently provided by an electric utility as defined by s. 366.02(2) or a natural gas transmission company as defined by s. 368.103(4). However, this paragraph does not affect any territorial agreement between electrical utilities or public utilities under chapter 366 or affect the determination of a territorial dispute by the Public Service Commission under s. 366.04.
(e) Establish a process and schedule for annexation of an area within the designated municipal service area consistent with s. 171.205.
(f) Establish a process for land use decisions consistent with part II of chapter 163, including those made jointly by the governing bodies of the county and the municipality, or allow a municipality to adopt land use changes consistent with part II of chapter 163 for areas that are scheduled to be annexed within the term of the interlocal agreement; however, the county comprehensive plan and land development regulations shall control until the municipality annexes the property and amends its comprehensive plan accordingly.
(g) Address other issues concerning service delivery, including the transfer of services and infrastructure and the fiscal compensation to one county, municipality, or independent special district from another county, municipality, or independent special district.
(h) Provide for the joint use of facilities and the colocation of services.
(i) Include a requirement for a report to the county of the municipality’s planned service delivery, as provided in s. 171.042, or as otherwise determined by agreement.
(j) Establish a procedure by which the local government that is responsible for water and wastewater services shall, within 30 days after the annexation or subtraction of territory, apply for any modifications to permits of the water management district or the Department of Environmental Protection which are necessary to reflect changes in the entity that is responsible for managing surface water under such permits.
(7) If the interlocal service boundary agreement addresses responsibilities for land use planning under chapter 163, the agreement must also establish the procedures for preparing and adopting comprehensive plan amendments, administering land development regulations, and issuing development orders.
(8) In order to ensure that the health and welfare of the residents affected by annexation will be protected, all fire and emergency medical services shall be provided by the existing provider of fire and emergency medical services to the annexed area and remain part of the existing municipal service taxing unit or special district unless:
(a) The county and annexing municipality reach an agreement, through interlocal agreement or other legally sufficient means, as to who shall provide these emergency services; or
(b) A fire rescue services element exists for the respective county’s comprehensive plan filed with the state and the annexing municipality meets the criteria set forth.
(9) Each local government that is a party to the interlocal service boundary agreement shall amend the intergovernmental coordination element of its comprehensive plan, as described in s. 163.3177(6)(h)1., no later than 6 months following entry of the interlocal service boundary agreement consistent with s. 163.3177(6)(h)1.
(10) An affected person for the purpose of challenging a comprehensive plan amendment required by paragraph (6)(f) includes a person who owns real property, resides, or owns or operates a business within the boundaries of the municipal service area, and a person who owns real property abutting real property within the municipal service area that is the subject of the comprehensive plan amendment, in addition to those other affected persons who would have standing under s. 163.3184.
(11)(a) A municipality that is a party to an interlocal service boundary agreement that identifies an unincorporated area for municipal annexation under s. 171.202(11)(a) shall adopt a municipal service area as an amendment to its comprehensive plan to address future possible municipal annexation. The state land planning agency shall review the amendment for compliance with part II of chapter 163. The proposed plan amendment must contain:
1. A boundary map of the municipal service area.
2. Population projections for the area.
3. Data and analysis supporting the provision of public facilities for the area.
(b) This part does not authorize the state land planning agency to review, evaluate, determine, approve, or disapprove a municipal ordinance relating to municipal annexation or contraction.
(12) An interlocal service boundary agreement may be for a term of 20 years or less. The interlocal service boundary agreement must include a provision requiring periodic review. The interlocal service boundary agreement must require renegotiations to begin at least 18 months before its termination date.
(13) No earlier than 6 months after the commencement of negotiations, either of the initiating local governments or both, the county, or the invited municipality may declare an impasse in the negotiations and seek a resolution of the issues under ss. 164.1053-164.1057. If the local governments fail to agree at the conclusion of the process under chapter 164, the local governments shall hold a joint public hearing on the issues raised in the negotiations.
(14) When the local governments have reached an interlocal service boundary agreement, the county and the municipality shall adopt the agreement by ordinance under s. 166.041 or s. 125.66, respectively. An independent special district, if it consents to the agreement, shall adopt the agreement by final order, resolution, or other method consistent with its charter. The interlocal service boundary agreement shall take effect on the day specified in the agreement or, if there is no date, upon adoption by the county or the invited municipality, whichever occurs later. This part does not prohibit a county or municipality from adopting an interlocal service boundary agreement without the consent of an independent special district, unless the agreement provides for the dissolution of an independent special district or the removal of more than 10 percent of the taxable or assessable value of an independent special district.
(15) For a period of 6 months following the failure of the local governments to consent to an interlocal service boundary agreement, the initiating local government may not initiate the negotiation process established in this section to require the responding local government to negotiate an agreement concerning the same identified unincorporated area and the same issues that were specified in the failed initiating resolution.
(16) This part does not authorize one local government to require another local government to enter into an interlocal service boundary agreement. However, when the process for negotiating an interlocal service boundary agreement is initiated, the local governments shall negotiate in good faith to the conclusion of the process established in this section.
(17) This section authorizes local governments to simultaneously engage in negotiating more than one interlocal service boundary agreement, notwithstanding that separate negotiations concern similar or identical unincorporated areas and issues.
(18) Elected local government officials are encouraged to participate actively and directly in the negotiation process for developing an interlocal service boundary agreement.
(19) This part does not impair any existing franchise agreement without the consent of the franchisee, any existing territorial agreement between electric utilities or public utilities under chapter 366, or the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission to resolve a territorial dispute involving electric utilities or public utilities in accordance with s. 366.04. In addition, an interlocal agreement entered into under this section has no effect in a proceeding before the Public Service Commission involving a territorial dispute. A municipality or county shall retain all existing authority, if any, to negotiate a franchise agreement with any private service provider for use of public rights-of-way or the privilege of providing a service.
(20) This part does not impair any existing contract without the consent of the parties.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218; s. 35, ch. 2011-139.
171.204 Prerequisites to annexation under this part.—The interlocal service boundary agreement may describe the character of land that may be annexed under this part and may provide that the restrictions on the character of land that may be annexed pursuant to part I are not restrictions on land that may be annexed pursuant to this part. As determined in the interlocal service boundary agreement, any character of land may be annexed, including, but not limited to, an annexation of land not contiguous to the boundaries of the annexing municipality, an annexation that creates an enclave, or an annexation where the annexed area is not reasonably compact; however, such area must be “urban in character” as defined in s. 171.031(8). The interlocal service boundary agreement may not allow for annexation of land within a municipality that is not a party to the agreement or of land that is within another county. Before annexation of land that is not contiguous to the boundaries of the annexing municipality, an annexation that creates an enclave, or an annexation of land that is not currently served by water or sewer utilities, one of the following options must be followed:
(1) The municipality shall transmit a comprehensive plan amendment that proposes specific amendments relating to the property anticipated for annexation to the Department of Economic Opportunity for review under chapter 163. After considering the department’s review, the municipality may approve the annexation and comprehensive plan amendment concurrently. The local government must adopt the annexation and the comprehensive plan amendment as separate and distinct actions but may take such actions at a single public hearing; or
(2) A municipality and county shall enter into a joint planning agreement under s. 163.3171, which is adopted into the municipal comprehensive plan. The joint planning agreement must identify the geographic areas anticipated for annexation, the future land uses that the municipality would seek to establish, necessary public facilities and services, including transportation and school facilities and how they will be provided, and natural resources, including surface water and groundwater resources, and how they will be protected. An amendment to the future land use map of a comprehensive plan which is consistent with the joint planning agreement must be considered a small scale amendment.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218; s. 61, ch. 2011-142.
171.205 Consent requirements for annexation of land under this part.—Notwithstanding part I, an interlocal service boundary agreement may provide a process for annexation consistent with this section or with part I.
(1) For all or a portion of the area within a designated municipal service area, the interlocal service boundary agreement may provide a flexible process for securing the consent of persons who are registered voters or own property in the area proposed for annexation, or of both such voters and owners, for the annexation of property within a municipal service area, with notice to such voters or owners as required in the interlocal service boundary agreement. The interlocal service boundary agreement may not authorize annexation unless the consent requirements of part I are met or the annexation is consented to by one or more of the following:
(a) The municipality has received a petition for annexation from more than 50 percent of the registered voters who reside in the area proposed to be annexed.
(b) The annexation is approved by a majority of the registered voters who reside in the area proposed to be annexed voting in a referendum on the annexation.
(c) The municipality has received a petition for annexation from more than 50 percent of the persons who own property within the area proposed to be annexed.
(2) If the area to be annexed includes a privately owned solid waste disposal facility as defined in s. 403.703 which receives municipal solid waste collected within the jurisdiction of multiple local governments, the annexing municipality must set forth in its plan the effects that the annexation of the solid waste disposal facility will have on the other local governments. The plan must also indicate that the owner of the affected solid waste disposal facility has been contacted in writing concerning the annexation, that an agreement between the annexing municipality and the solid waste disposal facility to govern the operations of the solid waste disposal facility if the annexation occurs has been approved, and that the owner of the solid waste disposal facility does not object to the proposed annexation.
(3) For all or a portion of an enclave consisting of more than 20 acres within a designated municipal service area, the interlocal service boundary agreement may provide a flexible process for securing the consent of persons who are registered voters or own property in the area proposed for annexation, or of both such voters and owners, for the annexation of property within such an enclave, with notice to such voters or owners as required in the interlocal service boundary agreement. The interlocal service boundary agreement may not authorize annexation of enclaves under this subsection unless the consent requirements of part I are met, the annexation process includes one or more of the procedures in subsection (1), or the municipality has received a petition for annexation from one or more persons who own real property in excess of 50 percent of the total real property within the area to be annexed.
(4) For all or a portion of an enclave consisting of 20 acres or fewer within a designated municipal service area, within which enclave not more than 100 registered voters reside, the interlocal service boundary agreement may provide a flexible process for securing the consent of persons who are registered voters or own property in the area proposed for annexation, or of both such voters and owners, for the annexation of property within such an enclave, with notice to such voters or owners as required in the interlocal service boundary agreement. Such an annexation process may include one or more of the procedures in subsection (1) and may allow annexation according to the terms and conditions provided in the interlocal service boundary agreement, which may include a referendum of the registered voters who reside in the area proposed to be annexed.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218; s. 11, ch. 2007-5; s. 32, ch. 2008-4; s. 4, ch. 2017-167.
171.206 Effect of interlocal service boundary area agreement on annexations.—
(1) An interlocal service boundary agreement is binding on the parties to the agreement, and a party may not take any action that violates the interlocal service boundary agreement.
(2) Notwithstanding part I, without consent of the county and the affected municipality by resolution, a county or an invited municipality may not take any action that violates the interlocal service boundary agreement.
(3) If the independent special district that participated in the negotiation process pursuant to s. 171.203(2)(d) does not consent to the interlocal service boundary agreement and a municipality annexes an area within the independent special district, the independent special district may seek compensation using the process in s. 171.093.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.207 Transfer of powers.—This part is an alternative provision otherwise provided by law, as authorized in s. 4, Art. VIII of the State Constitution, for any transfer of power resulting from an interlocal service boundary agreement for the provision of services or the acquisition of public facilities entered into by a county, municipality, independent special district, or other entity created pursuant to law.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.208 Municipal extraterritorial power.—This part authorizes a municipality to exercise extraterritorial powers that include, but are not limited to, the authority to provide services and facilities within the unincorporated area or within the territory of another municipality as provided within an interlocal service boundary agreement. These powers are in addition to other municipal powers that otherwise exist. However, this power is subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission to resolve territorial disputes under s. 366.04. An interlocal agreement has no effect on the resolution of a territorial dispute to be determined by the Public Service Commission.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.209 County incorporated area power.—As provided in an interlocal service boundary agreement, this part authorizes a county to exercise powers within a municipality that include, but are not limited to, the authority to provide services and facilities within the territory of a municipality. These powers are in addition to other county powers that otherwise exist.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.21 Effect of part on interlocal agreement and county charter.—A joint planning agreement, a charter provision adopted under s. 171.044(4), or any other interlocal agreement between local governments including a county, municipality, or independent special district is not affected by this part; however, a county, municipality or independent special district may avail itself of this part, which may result in the repeal or modification of a joint planning agreement or other interlocal agreement. A local government within a county that has adopted a charter provision pursuant to s. 171.044(4) may avail itself of the provisions of this part which authorize an interlocal service boundary agreement if such interlocal agreement is consistent with the charter of that county, as the charter was approved, revised, or amended pursuant to s. 125.64.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.211 Interlocal service boundary agreement presumed valid and binding.—
(1) If there is litigation over the terms, conditions, construction, or enforcement of an interlocal service boundary agreement, the agreement shall be presumed valid, and the challenger has the burden of proving its invalidity.
(2) Notwithstanding part I, it is the intent of this part to authorize a municipality to enter into an interlocal service boundary agreement that enhances, restricts, or precludes annexations during the term of the agreement.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.
171.212 Disputes regarding construction and effect of an interlocal service boundary agreement.—If there is a question or dispute about the construction or effect of an interlocal service boundary agreement, a local government shall initiate and proceed through the conflict resolution procedures established in chapter 164. If there is a failure to resolve the conflict, no later than 30 days following the conclusion of the procedures established in chapter 164, the local government may file an action in circuit court. For purposes of this section, the term “local government” means a party to the interlocal service boundary agreement.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-218.