House Bill 1785

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HB 1785

        By Representative Melvin






  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to Escambia County; creating

  3         the Village of Pensacola Beach Charter

  4         hereinafter referred to as the Village of

  5         Pensacola Beach; providing for the corporate

  6         name and purpose of the Charter; establishing

  7         territorial boundaries of the municipality and

  8         authorizing annexations; providing powers of

  9         the municipality and of certain officers;

10         providing for election of a Village Council, a

11         mayor and vice mayor, and providing for

12         qualifications, powers, and duties of its

13         membership; providing a procedure for

14         establishing their compensation and expense

15         reimbursement; establishing circumstances which

16         create vacancies in office and providing for

17         filling vacancies and for forfeiture and

18         recall; requiring independent financial audit;

19         providing for Council meetings, rules,

20         recordkeeping, and voting at meetings;

21         providing for nominations, elections, and terms

22         of office of the Council; providing for a

23         Village Manager, Village Clerk, and Village

24         Attorney and powers and duties of each;

25         authorizing establishment of administrative

26         departments; providing definitions; providing

27         procedures for adoption of ordinances and

28         resolutions, and for handling finances;

29         establishing a fiscal year and annual budgets;

30         providing procedures for initiative and

31         referendum; providing for Charter amendments

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  1         and review; providing for severability;

  2         providing for transition, including initial

  3         election and terms, date, creation, and

  4         establishment of the municipality, payment of

  5         certain revenues, and transitional

  6         comprehensive plan and land development

  7         regulations; entitling the Village to state and

  8         county shared and local option gas tax

  9         revenues; providing for contractual services

10         and facilities; eliminating transition

11         elements; providing for services of independent

12         special districts; providing for credit for

13         special district taxes in qualifying for state

14         revenue sharing; providing for a referendum;

15         providing for transfer or assignment of real

16         property and public lands; providing for the

17         abolishment of the Santa Rosa Island Authority

18         and the appointment of a trustee team to

19         oversee the transition to the Village of

20         Pensacola Beach; providing a referendum;

21         providing effective dates.

22

23  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

24

25         Section 1.  The "Village of Pensacola Beach, Charter"

26  is created to read:

27

28        ARTICLE I: CORPORATE NAME; PURPOSE OF THE CHARTER

29

30

31

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  1         Section 1.01  Village of Pensacola Beach.--The

  2  municipality hereby established shall be known as the Village

  3  of Pensacola Beach, Florida.

  4

  5         Section 1.02  Purpose of the Charter.--This Charter is

  6  ordained and established by the people of the Village of

  7  Pensacola Beach, Florida, to promote the general welfare and

  8  common good of the community by providing the framework for a

  9  municipal corporation to exercise municipal home rule powers

10  under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida.

11

12                ARTICLE II: TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES

13

14         Section 2.01  Boundaries of the Village of Pensacola

15  Beach.--The territorial boundaries of the Village of Pensacola

16  Beach upon the date of incorporation shall include the

17  following areas situated in the County of Escambia, State of

18  Florida:

19

20         "A corporate limit lying offshore from Santa

21         Rosa Island, which line is described as

22         follows: all that part of Escambia County that

23         is located and situated within Santa Rosa

24         Island, beginning at the South end of the Bob

25         Sikes Bridge, running East and West to the Gulf

26         Islands National Seashore, including a

27         corporate limit line offshore 1,000 feet in the

28         Gulf of Mexico and 1,000 feet in the inland

29         bays, and parallel with the shore line of said

30         Santa Rosa Island, excluding all of the Gulf

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  1         Islands National Seashore and, structures

  2         exclusively attached thereto."

  3

  4         Section 2.02  Extension of the corporate limits;

  5  annexation.--The corporate limits of the Village of Pensacola

  6  Beach may be revised as provided by general law.

  7

  8         ARTICLE III: GENERAL POWERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY

  9

10         Section 3.01  All powers possible.--The Village of

11  Pensacola Beach shall have all governmental, corporate, and

12  proprietary powers to enable it to conduct municipal

13  government, perform municipal functions, and render municipal

14  services, and may exercise any power for municipal purposes

15  except as otherwise provided by law. The powers of the Village

16  of Pensacola Beach shall be construed liberally in favor of

17  the municipality, limited only by the Constitution, general

18  law, and specific limitations contained herein.

19

20         Section 3.02  Joint exercise of powers.--The Village

21  may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions

22  and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in

23  cooperation by contract or otherwise, with any one or more

24  states, counties, municipalities, or any agencies thereof, or

25  the United States or any agency thereof.

26

27        ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION OF THE VILLAGE GOVERNMENT

28

29         Section 4.01  Form of Government.--The Village of

30  Pensacola Beach shall operate under an appointed Village

31  Manager form of government with separation of legislative and

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  1  executive functions. The legislative responsibilities and

  2  powers of the Village shall be assigned to, and vested in, the

  3  Village Council. The executive responsibilities and power of

  4  the Village shall be assigned to and vested in the Village

  5  Manager, who shall carry out the directives and policies of

  6  the Village Council and enforce all orders, resolutions,

  7  ordinances, and regulations of the Village Council, the

  8  Village Charter, and all applicable general law, to assure

  9  that they are faithfully executed.

10

11         Section 4.02  Legislative Branch.--

12         (a)  The Village Council: The governing body of the

13  Village shall be a Village Council composed of five (5)

14  members serving staggered terms of four (4) years. They shall

15  be elected at-large on a Villagewide basis by the electors of

16  the Village.  Each candidate for the office of Village Council

17  shall have resided in the Village for the year prior to

18  qualifying for office and will reside within the Village at

19  the time of qualifying to run for that office, and during the

20  term of office.

21         (b)  Authority: The Village Council shall exercise all

22  legislative authority provided by this Home Rule Charter in

23  addition to any other powers and duties authorized by general

24  law or special law.

25         (c)  Administrative Code:

26         (1)  The Village Council shall adopt an Administrative

27  Code in accordance with general law within twelve (12) months

28  of the effective date of this Charter.

29         (2)  The Administrative Code shall organize the

30  administration of Village government and set forth the duties

31

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  1  and responsibilities and powers of all Village officials and

  2  departments.

  3         (3)  The Code shall provide for keeping a journal and

  4  minutes of its proceedings which shall be available to the

  5  public.

  6         (d)  Vacancies: A vacancy on the Village Council shall

  7  be defined and filled as provided by general law.

  8         (e)  Recall: The members of the Village Council shall

  9  be subject to recall as provided by general law.

10         (f)  Salaries and Other Compensation:

11         (1)  An ordinance establishing, increasing, or

12  decreasing compensation of the Council may be adopted at any

13  time; however, in no event shall any establishment of

14  compensation or any increase in compensation become effective

15  prior to the first day of the first month following the first

16  regular election of the Village subsequent to the adoption of

17  such ordinance.

18         (2)  The Council may provide for reimbursement of

19  verifiable expenses incurred by its members while performing

20  their official duties.

21         (g) No present or former elected Village official shall

22  hold any compensated appointive office or employment with the

23  Village until 1 year after the expiration of the official's

24  elected term.

25

26         Section 4.03  Council members; elections.--

27         (a)  There shall be a Village Council, hereinafter

28  referred to as the Council, with all legislative powers of the

29  Village vested therein, consisting of five Council members,

30  all of whom shall be elected from the Village at-large.

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  1         (b)  Council seats shall be designated as seats #1, #2,

  2  #3, #4, and #5. Candidates shall be required to seek election

  3  to a specific seat on the Council.

  4         (c)  The Council shall be comprised of officials who

  5  are elected at regularly held elections and are accountable to

  6  the citizens at all times. The citizens, through these

  7  processes, have the opportunity to elect, reelect, or dismiss

  8  their elected officials whose promise of performance or actual

  9  performance in office best reflects the policies which the

10  citizens desire to implement in the government of the Village.

11         (d)  Except as otherwise prescribed herein or provided

12  by law, legislative and police powers of the Village shall be

13  vested in the Council, including the establishment of boards,

14  commissions, and committees. The Council shall provide for the

15  exercise of its powers and for the performance of all duties

16  and obligations imposed on the municipality by law.

17

18         Section 4.04  Mayor.--At the first regularly scheduled

19  meeting following the Village's regular election, the Council,

20  by majority vote, shall elect from its membership a mayor to

21  serve for a term of 2 years. The mayor shall serve as

22  chairperson during meetings of the Council and shall serve as

23  the head of municipal government for the purpose of execution

24  of official documents with the Village Manager or Village

25  Clerk attesting. The mayor shall also serve as the ceremonial

26  head of the Village.

27

28         Section 4.05  Vice mayor.--At the first regularly

29  scheduled meeting following the Village's regular election,

30  the Council by a majority vote shall elect from among its

31  membership for a term of two (2) years a vice mayor who shall

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  1  serve as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor

  2  and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become interim mayor pursuant

  3  to section 4.08 of this Charter.  His or her term will be for

  4  two years.

  5

  6         Section 4.06  Non Interference.--

  7         (a)  Neither the Council, nor any individual member of

  8  the Council, shall in any manner dictate the employment or

  9  removal of any employee other than the Village Manager, the

10  Village Attorney, or any outside accountant or auditor hired

11  by the Council.

12         (b)  Village Council members may communicate, directly

13  or indirectly, with employees, officers, or agents under the

14  direct or indirect supervision of the Villager Manager or

15  Village Attorney only for the purpose of inquiry or

16  information.

17         (c)  Except for the purpose of inquiry or information,

18  a Village Council member shall not, directly or indirectly,

19  give directions to or interfere with the performance of the

20  duties of any employee, officer, or agent under the direct or

21  indirect supervision of the Village Manager or Village

22  Attorney.

23         (d)  Violations of this section of the Charter shall be

24  malfeasance within the meaning of section 100.361(1)(b),

25  Florida Statutes.

26         (e)  Nothing contained herein shall prevent a Village

27  Council member from referring a citizen complaint or request

28  to the Village Manager or Village Attorney.

29

30         Section 4.07  Vacancies.--The office of a member of the

31  Council shall become vacant upon the member's inability to

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  1  fulfill the duties of the office, resignation, or removal from

  2  office as authorized by law or this Charter.

  3

  4         Section 4.08  Forfeiture of office.--A member of the

  5  Council may forfeit the office, if the member:

  6         (a)  Lacks at any time during the term of office any

  7  qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter or by

  8  law;

  9         (b)  Violates any expressed prohibition of this

10  Charter;

11         (c)  Is convicted of a felony or criminal misdemeanor

12  which misdemeanor involves the office of Village Council; or

13         (d)  Misses three consecutive regularly scheduled

14  Council meetings.

15

16  If any of these events should occur, a hearing shall

17  automatically be conducted at the next regularly scheduled

18  Council meeting after the member has been officially notified

19  and public notices have been placed in the local newspaper for

20  1 week in advance of the hearing.  The member may be declared

21  to have forfeited office by majority vote of the Council.

22

23         Section 4.09  Filling of vacancies.--A vacancy on the

24  Council, except for the position of mayor, shall be filled by

25  appointment by majority vote of the Council members remaining

26  and said appointment shall be effective until a successor is

27  chosen at the next regular election. In the event that a

28  majority of the members of the Council are removed by death,

29  disability, law, or forfeiture of office, the Governor of

30  Florida shall appoint an interim Council that will serve the

31  remainder of the previously elected terms (if necessary the

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  1  newly appointed Council will elect a mayor or a vice mayor).

  2  In the event that the mayor becomes unable to fulfill the

  3  duties of his or her office, ceases to be qualified, or is

  4  removed from office as provided by law or this Charter, the

  5  vice mayor of the Council shall assume the full powers and

  6  duties of the mayor. The Council vacancy thus created by the

  7  mayor's departure shall be filled by an interim appointment

  8  under the provisions of this Charter, to be effective until

  9  the expiration of the term of the office.

10

11         Section 4.10  Judge of qualifications.--The Council

12  shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its

13  members and of the grounds for forfeiture of their office and

14  for that purpose shall have power to subpoena witnesses,

15  administer oaths, and require the production of evidence. A

16  Council member charged with conduct constituting grounds for

17  forfeiture of this office shall be notified by the Village

18  Clerk by certified mail and shall be entitled to a public

19  hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council

20  as outlined in section 4.12 of this Charter. Notice of such

21  hearing shall be published in one or more newspapers of

22  general circulation in the Village at least 1 week in advance

23  of the hearing.

24

25         Section 4.11  Independent financial audit.--The Council

26  shall provide for an independent annual financial audit of all

27  Village accounts and may provide for more frequent audits as

28  it deems necessary.

29

30         Section 4.12  Meetings.--Regular meetings of the

31  Council shall be held on an as-needed basis at such times and

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  1  locations within the boundaries of the Village as the Council

  2  may prescribe. Special meetings may be held on the call of the

  3  mayor or the Village Manager and upon not less than 24-hour

  4  notice to each member and the public. Action taken at a

  5  special meeting shall be limited to the purpose for which the

  6  special meeting is called. A special meeting may be held

  7  outside the Village with proper notice. All meetings shall be

  8  public and shall be scheduled to commence no earlier than 7

  9  a.m. nor later than 10 p.m.

10

11         Section 4.13  Voting; quorum.--Roll call voting shall

12  be required for ordinances and amendments to existing

13  ordinances or upon the specific request of a Council member

14  and shall be recorded in the minutes; otherwise, voting shall

15  be by ayes and nays. Three members of the Council shall

16  constitute a quorum. No action of the Council shall be valid

17  or binding unless adopted by a majority vote of the quorum

18  present. The adoption of an ordinance shall require the

19  affirmative vote of three (3) Council members.  All Council

20  members in attendance shall vote on all Council actions except

21  when, with respect to any such member, there is an actual or

22  apparent conflict of interest as defined under general law.

23

24         Section 4.14  Executive Branch.--

25         (a)  The Village Manager shall be appointed by an

26  affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Village Council.

27  The Village Manager may be terminated with or without cause by

28  an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Village

29  Council. The Village Manager shall be the chief executive

30  officer of the Village and all executive responsibilities and

31

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  1  power shall be assigned to and vested in the Village Manager,

  2  and shall consist of at least the following powers and duties:

  3         (1)  Report annually to the Village Council and to the

  4  citizens on the state of the Village, the work of the previous

  5  year, recommendations for action or programs for improvement

  6  of the Village, and the well-being of its residents.

  7         (2)  Prepare and submit the annual budget and capital

  8  programs to the Village Council and execute the budget and

  9  capital programs in accordance with appropriations and

10  ordinances enacted by the Council.

11         (3)  Ensure that all ordinances, resolutions, and

12  orders of the Village Council and all laws of the state which

13  are subject to enforcement by the Village Manager, or by

14  officers who are subject under this Charter to the Village

15  Manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.

16         (4)  Carry into execution such other powers or duties,

17  as are required by this Charter or may be prescribed by the

18  Village Council.

19         (5)  The Village Manager shall exercise all executive

20  authority provided by this Home Rule Charter in addition to

21  all other powers and duties authorized by general or special

22  law.

23         (6)  To make such other reports as the Council may

24  require concerning the operation of Village departments,

25  offices, and agencies subject to the Village Manager's

26  direction and supervision.

27         (7)  To keep the Council fully advised as to the

28  condition and future needs of the Village and to make written

29  recommendations to the Council concerning the affairs of the

30  Village.

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  1         (8)  In consultation with the Village Council, provide

  2  for a Village meeting of all residents and leaseholders

  3  annually.

  4         (9)  Except as otherwise provided in this Charter,

  5  appoint and terminate, with or without cause, all employees of

  6  the Village.

  7         (b)  The Village Manager shall be qualified by

  8  administrative and executive experience and ability to serve

  9  as the chief executive of the Village. Minimum qualifications

10  for the Village Manager shall be established by Village

11  ordinance. The Village Manager need not be a resident of the

12  Village.

13         (c)  The compensation of the Village Manager shall be

14  fixed by the Village Council.

15         (d)  The office of Village Manager shall be deemed

16  vacant if the incumbent, by death, illness, or other casualty,

17  is unable to continue in office. A vacancy in the office shall

18  be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The

19  Village Council may appoint an acting Village Manager in the

20  case of vacancy, temporary absence, or disability until a

21  successor has been appointed and qualified or the Village

22  Manager returns.

23         Section 4.15  Recall.--The qualified electors of the

24  municipality shall have the power to recall and to remove any

25  elected official of the Village as prescribed by general law.

26

27      ARTICLE V: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS; TERMS OF OFFICE

28

29         Section 5.01  Elections.--The regular election of the

30  members of the Council shall be held on the first Tuesday

31  after the first Monday in November.

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  1

  2         Section 5.02  Commencement of term.--The terms of

  3  members of the Council shall begin on January 1st of the year

  4  following the election.

  5

  6         Section 5.03  Terms of office.--The terms for all

  7  Council seats, #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5, shall be for four (4)

  8  years, except during the transition period as outlined in

  9  section 14.02(e) of this Charter. No member of the Council

10  shall serve for more than two consecutive 4-year terms. Those

11  initially elected to seats #1 and #2 will be allowed to serve

12  for two consecutive terms after their initial terms.  After 1

13  year out of office, a candidate may requalify for any vacant

14  seat.

15

16         Section 5.04  Qualified electors.--Any person who is a

17  resident of the Village, who has qualified as an elector of

18  the state, and who registers in the manner prescribed by law,

19  shall be an elector of this Village.

20

21         Section 5.05  Adoption of election procedures.--The

22  Council, by ordinance, shall adopt such election procedures as

23  are necessary.

24

25         Section 5.06  Nonpartisan elections.--All elections for

26  officers of the Village shall be conducted on a nonpartisan

27  basis without any designation of political party affiliation.

28

29         Section 5.07  Multiple candidates.--In the event that

30  multiple candidates qualify for election to a single office,

31  that candidate receiving a majority of votes cast shall be

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  1  elected. If no candidate receives a majority, then the two

  2  candidates receiving the most votes shall have a runoff

  3  election to decide the winner of the election for that office.

  4  If required, the runoff election shall be held on the first

  5  Tuesday in December.

  6

  7                    ARTICLE VI: VILLAGE CLERK

  8

  9         Section 6.01  There may be a Village Clerk who shall be

10  appointed by the Village Manager. The Village Clerk shall:

11         (a)  Give notice of Council meetings to its members and

12  the public.

13         (b)  Keep the journal and minutes of the proceedings of

14  the Council and its committees, which shall be public records.

15         (c)  Authenticate by signature and record in full in

16  books kept for that purpose all ordinances and resolutions

17  passed by the Council.

18         (d)  Be a notary and the custodian of the Village seal.

19         (e)  Have the power to administer oaths.

20         (f)  Perform such other duties as may be assigned by

21  the Village Manager.

22

23                  ARTICLE VII: VILLAGE ATTORNEY

24

25         Section 7.01  The Village Attorney shall be appointed

26  by an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Village

27  Council, who may represent the Village as needed in all legal

28  proceedings and shall perform all other duties assigned by the

29  Council. Terms and conditions of employment will be specified

30  at the time of appointment and the Village Attorney will be a

31  member in good standing with The Florida Bar during the term

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  1  of his or her appointment. The Council may remove the Village

  2  Attorney for any  reason by motion requiring three (3)

  3  affirmative votes.

  4

  5             ARTICLE VIII: ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS

  6

  7         Section 8.01  Establishment of additional

  8  departments.--The Council will establish departments as it

  9  determines necessary for the efficient administration and

10  operation of the Village; such departments, offices, or

11  agencies shall be established by resolution and report to the

12  Village Manager.

13

14              ARTICLE IX: ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

15

16         Section 9.01  Definition of ordinances and

17  resolutions.--As used in this Charter, the following words and

18  terms shall have the following meanings unless some other

19  meaning is plainly indicated:

20         (a)  "Ordinance" means an official legislative action

21  of the Council, which action is a regulation of a general and

22  permanent nature and enforceable as a local law.

23         (b)  "Resolution" means an expression of the Council

24  concerning matters of administration, an expression of a

25  temporary character, or a provision for the disposition of a

26  particular item of the administrative business of the Village.

27

28         Section 9.02  Adoption of ordinances.--Every proposed

29  ordinance shall be introduced in writing and in the form

30  required for final adoption. No ordinance shall contain more

31  than one subject and matters properly connected therewith,

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  1  which shall be clearly expressed in its title. The enacting

  2  clause for an ordinance shall be: "IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY

  3  THE VILLAGE OF PENSACOLA BEACH AS FOLLOWS..."

  4         (a)  An ordinance may be introduced by any Council

  5  member at any regular or special meeting of the Council. A

  6  proposed ordinance may be read by title, or in full, on at

  7  least two separate Council meeting days and shall, at least 10

  8  days prior to adoption, be noticed once in a newspaper of

  9  general circulation in the Village. The notice of proposed

10  enactment shall state the date, time, and place of the

11  meeting; the title of a proposed ordinance; and the place or

12  places within the Village where such proposed ordinance may be

13  inspected by the public.

14         (b)  To meet a public emergency affecting life, health,

15  property, or the public peace, the Council, by a two-thirds

16  vote of those present as required by general law, may adopt an

17  emergency ordinance without complying with the requirements of

18  notice expressed in the foregoing paragraph. An emergency

19  ordinance may not levy taxes; grant, renew, or extend a

20  franchise; set service or user charges for any municipal

21  services; alter existing established zoning or permissible

22  land use regulations and ordinances; or authorize the

23  borrowing of money.  An emergency ordinance shall become

24  effective upon adoption and automatically stand repealed as of

25  the 61st day following the date on which it was adopted. This

26  shall not prevent reenactment of such an ordinance under

27  regular procedures.

28         (c)  Ordinances which rezone specific parcels of

29  private real property or which substantially change permitted

30  use categories shall be enacted pursuant to general law and

31

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  1  must be approved by an extraordinary majority (4 of 5 Council

  2  members voting in the affirmative).

  3         (d)  An ordinance shall, upon its final passage, be

  4  recorded in a book kept for that purpose and shall be signed

  5  by the mayor and the Village Clerk. A copy of the ordinance

  6  shall be available in the Village hall.

  7

  8         Section 9.03  Adoption of resolutions.--Every proposed

  9  resolution shall be introduced in writing and in the form

10  required for final adoption. No resolution shall contain more

11  than one subject which shall be clearly expressed in its

12  title. The clause which shall be used for all resolutions

13  approved by the Council shall be: "IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY

14  THE VILLAGE OF PENSACOLA BEACH AS FOLLOWS..."  A resolution

15  may be introduced by any member at any regular or special

16  meeting of the Council.  A resolution shall, upon its final

17  passage, be recorded in a book kept for that purpose and shall

18  be signed by the mayor and the Village Clerk. A copy of the

19  resolution shall be available in the Village hall.

20

21                 ARTICLE X: FINANCIAL PROCEDURES

22

23         Section 10.01  Fiscal year.--The fiscal year of the

24  Village shall begin on the first day of October and end on the

25  last day of September.

26

27         Section 10.02  Submission of budget and budget

28  message.--On or before the 15th day of July of each year, the

29  Village Manager shall submit to the Council a budget in

30  accordance with state law. It shall outline the financial

31  policies of the Village for the ensuing fiscal year; describe

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  1  the important features of the budget; indicate any major

  2  changes from the current year in financial policy, including

  3  any changes in budgetary accounting methods from the current

  4  year expenditures and revenues together with the reasons for

  5  such changes; summarize the Village's debt position; and

  6  include such other material as the Village Manager deems

  7  necessary.

  8

  9         Section 10.03  Council action on the budget:

10         (a)  The Council shall adopt the budget by resolution

11  on or before the 30th day of September of each year.

12         (b)  Unless authorized by the electors of the Village

13  at a duly held referendum election, the Council shall not

14  authorize or allow to be authorized the issuance of revenue

15  bonds or enter into lease-purchase contracts or any other

16  unfunded multiyear contracts all for the purchase of real

17  property or the construction of any capital improvement in

18  excess of ten (10) million dollars.

19

20         Section 10.04  Public records.--Copies of the budget

21  and the capital program as adopted shall be public records and

22  shall be made available to the public at suitable locations in

23  the Village.

24

25         Section 10.05 Budget amendments.--

26         (a)  Supplemental Appropriations.--If, during the

27  fiscal year, the Village Manager certifies that there are

28  available for appropriation, revenues in excess of those

29  estimated in the budget, the Council, by resolution, may make

30  supplemental appropriations for the year up to the amount of

31

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  1  such excess, so long as a fiscal reserve equal to five percent

  2  (5%) of revenues is maintained yearly.

  3         (b)  Emergency Appropriations.--To meet a public

  4  emergency affecting life, health, property, or the public

  5  peace, the Council, by resolution, may make emergency

  6  appropriations to the extent consistent with state law.

  7         (c)  Reduction of Appropriations.--If, during the

  8  fiscal year, it appears probable to the Village Manager that

  9  the revenues available will be insufficient to meet the amount

10  appropriated, the Village Manager shall report to the Council

11  without delay, indicating the estimated amount of the deficit,

12  any remedial action taken, and recommendations as to any other

13  steps to be taken. The Council shall then take such further

14  action as it deems necessary to prevent or minimize any

15  deficit and for that purpose may, by resolution, reduce one or

16  more appropriations.

17

18              ARTICLE XI: INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM

19

20         Section 11.01  Initiative.--

21         (a)  The electors of the Village of Pensacola Beach

22  shall have the right to initiate Village ordinances in order

23  to establish new ordinances and to amend or repeal existing

24  ordinances upon petition of the qualified electors in the

25  Village. The number of qualified elector signatures for a

26  valid petition must equal at least twenty-five percent (25%)

27  of the electors qualified to vote in the last preceding

28  Village election.

29         (b)  The sponsor of an initiative ordinance shall,

30  prior to obtaining any signatures, submit the text of the

31  proposed ordinance to the Supervisor of Elections (Supervisor

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  1  of Elections shall refer to the Escambia County Supervisor of

  2  Elections unless the Village Council votes to establish the

  3  position of a Village Supervisor of Elections), with the form

  4  on which signatures will be affixed, and shall obtain the

  5  approval of the Supervisor of Elections of such form. The

  6  style and requirements of such form shall be specified by

  7  Village ordinance. The beginning date of any petition drive

  8  shall commence upon the date of approval by the Supervisor of

  9  Elections of the form on which signatures will be affixed, and

10  said drive shall terminate one hundred and eighty (180)-days

11  after that date. In the event sufficient signatures are not

12  acquired during that one hundred eighty day period, the

13  petition initiative shall be rendered null and void and none

14  of the signatures may be carried over into another identical

15  or similar petition. The sponsor shall submit signed and dated

16  forms to the Supervisor of Elections and upon submission shall

17  pay all fees as required by general law. The Supervisor of

18  Elections shall, within forty-five (45) days, verify the

19  signatures thereon.

20         (c)  Within forty-five days after the requisite number

21  of names have been verified by the Supervisor of Elections and

22  reported to the Village Council, the Village Council shall

23  notice and hold according to general law a public hearing on

24  the proposed ordinance and vote on it.

25

26         Section 11.02  Referendum.--

27         (a)  If the Village Council fails to enact the proposed

28  ordinance at the public hearing, it shall at the public

29  hearing, by resolution, call a referendum on the question of

30  the adoption of the proposed ordinance to be held at the next

31  general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after the

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  1  adoption of such resolution. If the question of the adoption

  2  of the proposed ordinance is approved by a majority of those

  3  registered electors voting on the question, the proposed

  4  ordinance shall be declared by resolution of the Village

  5  Council to be enacted and shall become effective on the date

  6  specified in the ordinance, or, if not so specified, on

  7  January 1 of the succeeding year. The Village Council shall

  8  not amend or repeal an ordinance adopted by this initiative

  9  procedure for a period of 1 year after the effective date of

10  such ordinance. Any such amendment or repeal shall require an

11  affirmative vote of four members of the Village Council.

12         (b)  The consideration of adoption by the electors of a

13  proposed ordinance under this section 11.02 shall only be

14  scheduled at a general election as provided under general law

15  if the petition signatures as required in section 11.01(a)

16  above equal twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the electors

17  qualified to vote in the last preceding Village of Pensacola

18  Beach election. A special election as provided by general law

19  shall be held if the petition signatures as required by

20  section 11.01(a) above equal thirty-five percent (35%) or more

21  of the electors qualified to vote in the last preceding

22  Village of Pensacola Beach election.

23

24         Section 11.03  Restrictions.--The power to enact,

25  amend, or repeal an ordinance by initiative shall not include

26  ordinances relating to administrative or judicial functions of

27  Village government, including, but not limited to, the Village

28  budget, debt obligations, capital improvement programs,

29  salaries of Village officers and employees, the levy and

30  collection of taxes, and the rezoning of an individual parcel

31  of land.

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  1

  2                 ARTICLE XII: CHARTER AMENDMENTS

  3

  4         Section 12.01  Amendments Proposed by Petition.--

  5         (a)  The electors of the Village of Pensacola Beach

  6  shall have the right to initiate proposed amendments to this

  7  Home Rule Charter upon petition of the qualified electors in

  8  the Village. The number of qualified elector signatures for a

  9  valid petition must equal at least twenty-five percent (25%)

10  of the electors qualified to vote in the last Village

11  election.

12         (b)  Each such proposed amendment shall embrace but one

13  subject and matter directly connected therewith. Each Charter

14  amendment proposed by petition shall be placed on the ballot

15  by resolution of the Village of Pensacola Beach for the next

16  general election occurring in excess of ninety (90) days from

17  the certification by the Supervisor of Elections that the

18  requisite number of signatures has been verified.

19         (c)  The sponsor of a petition amendment shall, prior

20  to obtaining any signatures, submit the text of the proposed

21  amendment to the Supervisor of Elections, with the form on

22  which the signatures will be affixed, and shall obtain the

23  approval of the Supervisor of Elections of such form. The

24  style and requirements of such form shall be specified by

25  Village ordinance. The beginning date of any petition drive

26  shall commence upon the date of approval by the Supervisor of

27  Elections of the form on which signatures will be affixed, and

28  said drive shall terminate three hundred and sixty-five (365)

29  days after that date. In the event sufficient signatures are

30  not acquired during that three hundred and sixty-five (365)

31  day period, the petition initiative shall be rendered null and

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  1  void and none of the signatures may be carried over onto

  2  another identical or similar petition. The sponsor shall

  3  submit signed and dated forms to the Supervisor of Elections

  4  and upon submission pay all fees as required by general law.

  5  The Supervisor of Elections shall, within forty-five (45)

  6  days, verify the signatures thereon.

  7         (d)  If approved by a majority of those electors voting

  8  on the amendment at the general election, the amendment shall

  9  become effective on the date specified in the amendment, or,

10  if not so specified, on January 1 of the succeeding year.

11

12         Section 12.02  Amendments and Revisions by Charter

13  Review Commission.--

14         (a)  A Charter Review Commission consisting of five (5)

15  electors of the Village shall be appointed by a majority vote

16  of the Village Council at least six (6) months before the

17  general election occurring in 2004 and 2008 and at least six

18  (6) months before the general election of every ten (10) years

19  thereafter. The Charter Review Commission shall review the

20  Home Rule Charter and propose any amendments or revisions

21  which may be advisable for placement on the general election

22  ballot. No member of the State Legislature or the Village

23  Council, shall be a member of the Charter Review Commission.

24  Vacancies shall be filled within thirty (30) days in the same

25  manner as the original appointments.

26         (b)  The Charter Review Commission shall meet for the

27  purpose of organization within thirty (30) days after the

28  appointments have been made. The Charter Review Commission

29  shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its

30  membership. Further meetings of the Charter Review Commission

31  shall be held upon the call of the chairman or a majority of

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  1  the members of the Charter Review Commission. All meetings

  2  shall be open to the public. A majority of the members of the

  3  Charter Review Commission shall constitute a quorum. The

  4  Charter Review Commission may adopt such other rules for its

  5  operations and proceedings as it deems desirable.  Members of

  6  the Charter Review Commission shall receive no compensation

  7  but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses pursuant to

  8  general law.

  9         (c)  For the year in which the reviews are scheduled,

10  the Village Council shall establish a separate budget line for

11  the Charter Review Commission.  Said budget will be sufficient

12  to allow the Commission to operate independently.  Expenses of

13  the Commission shall be verified by a majority vote of the

14  Commission and forwarded to the Village Council for payment

15  from the established account. The Charter Review Commission

16  may employ a staff, consult and retain experts, and purchase,

17  lease, or otherwise provide for such supplies, materials,

18  equipment, and facilities as it deems necessary and desirable.

19         (d)  The Charter Review Commission shall hold at least

20  two (2) public hearings at intervals of not less than ten (10)

21  days or more than twenty (20) days on any proposed Charter

22  amendment or revision, and no Charter amendment or revision

23  shall be submitted to the electorate for adoption unless

24  favorably voted upon by an affirmative vote of four (4)

25  members of the Charter Review Commission.

26         (e)  No later than sixty (60) days prior to the general

27  election, the Charter Review Commission shall deliver to the

28  Village Council the proposed amendments or revisions, if any,

29  to the Home Rule Charter. The Village Council shall by

30  resolution place such amendments or revisions as approved by

31  the Charter Review Commission on the next general election

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  1  ballot. If a majority of the electors voting on the amendments

  2  or revisions favor adoption, such amendments or revisions

  3  shall become effective on January 1 of the succeeding year or

  4  such other time as the amendment or revision shall provide.

  5         (f)  If the Charter Review Commission does not submit

  6  any proposed Charter amendments or revisions to the Village

  7  Council at least ninety (90) days prior to the general

  8  election, the Charter Review Commission shall be automatically

  9  dissolved.  Otherwise, upon acceptance or rejection of the

10  proposed amendments or revisions by the electors, the Charter

11  Review Commission shall be automatically dissolved. Upon

12  dissolution of the Charter Review Commission, all property of

13  the Charter Review Commission shall thereupon become the

14  property of the Village Council.

15

16         Section 12.03  Amendments Proposed by the Village

17  Council.--

18         (a)  Amendments to this Charter may be proposed by

19  ordinance enacted by the Village Council by an affirmative

20  vote of four (4) members of the Village Council. Each

21  proposed amendment shall embrace but one subject and matter

22  directly connected therewith. Each proposed amendment shall

23  only become effective upon approval by a majority of the

24  electors of the Village of Pensacola Beach voting in a

25  referendum at the next general election or special election,

26  if called by the Village Council. The Village Council shall

27  give public notice of such referendum election as required by

28  general law.

29         (b)  If approved by a majority of those electors voting

30  on the amendment at the general or special election, the

31  amendment shall become effective on the date specified in the

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  1  amendment, or, if not so specified, on January 1 of the

  2  succeeding year.

  3

  4                    ARTICLE XIII: SEVERABILITY

  5

  6         Section 13.01  Invalidity of Charter provision or

  7  application.--If any provision of this charter is held

  8  invalid, the other provisions of the Charter shall not be

  9  affected thereby. If the application of this Charter or any of

10  its provisions to any person or circumstance is held invalid,

11  the application of the Charter and its provisions to other

12  persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

13

14                     ARTICLE XIV: TRANSITION

15

16         Section 14.01  Referendum election.--The referendum

17  election called for by this act shall be conducted by the

18  Supervisor of Elections of Escambia County by a mail ballot in

19  accordance with the Mail Ballot Election Act, sections

20  101.6101-101.6107, Florida Statutes. The mail ballot shall be

21  returned to the Supervisor of Elections of Escambia County by

22  July 24, 2000. The following question shall be placed on the

23  ballot:

24

25  "SHALL CHAPTER 2000- LAWS OF FLORIDA, CREATING THE VILLAGE OF

26  PENSACOLA BEACH AND PROVIDING ITS CHARTER BE APPROVED?"

27

28  In the event this question is answered affirmatively by a

29  majority of voters casting ballots in the referendum, the

30  provisions of this Charter shall take effect as provided

31  herein.

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  1

  2         Section 14.02  Initial Election of Council.--

  3         (a)  Dates.--Following the adoption of this Charter,

  4  the Escambia County Commission shall call a special election

  5  to be held on the first Tuesday in December, 2000, for the

  6  election of five (5) Council members. Any necessary runoff

  7  election shall be held in accordance with section 5.07 of this

  8  Charter.

  9         (b)  Qualifying Period.--Between noon on September 18,

10  2000, and noon on September 27, 2000, any individual who

11  wishes to run for one of the five initial seats on the Council

12  shall qualify as a candidate with the Escambia County

13  Supervisor of Elections in accordance with the provisions of

14  this Charter and general law.

15         (c)  Certification of Election Results.--For the

16  initial election, the Escambia County Commission shall appoint

17  a canvassing board which shall certify the results of the

18  election.

19         (d)  Induction into Office.--Those candidates who are

20  elected shall take office at the initial Council meeting,

21  which shall be held at 6 p.m. on January 2, 2001, at the Santa

22  Rosa Island Authority Building, Pensacola Beach, Florida.

23         (e)  Transitional Terms of Office.--Seats #1 and #2

24  shall initially be for a 1-year term. Seats #3, #4, and #5 for

25  three years. Thereafter, all terms shall be for 4 years, on a

26  staggered basis.

27

28         Section 14.03  Creation and establishment of the

29  Village of Pensacola Beach.--To comply with chapters 196, 199,

30  and 200, Florida Statutes, (1997), and unilateral promises

31  made by Escambia County and the State of Florida under the

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  1  authority of chapter 25810, Laws of Florida, (1949), relating

  2  to exemption from assessment and collection of certain ad

  3  valorem taxes, the collection of lease fees by the Village is

  4  authorized in lieu of ad valorem taxes.  The Village of

  5  Pensacola Beach is hereby created and established effective

  6  December 31, 2000.

  7

  8         Section 14.04  Early assumption of duties.--As soon as

  9  a quorum has been elected, the Council shall have the

10  authority and power to enter into agreements, arrange for the

11  hiring of interim legal counsel, begin recruiting applicants

12  for the position of Village Manager, provide for necessary

13  Village offices and facilities, and do such other as deemed

14  necessary and appropriate for the Village to become

15  operational on December 31, 2000.

16

17         Section 14.05  First-year expenses.--The Council, in

18  order to provide moneys for the expenses associated with

19  transitioning from the Santa Rosa Island Authority to the

20  Village of Pensacola Beach, shall, if needed, have the power

21  to borrow money necessary for that transition and the

22  operation of municipal government until such time as the

23  Village of Pensacola Beach establishes its initial budget.

24

25         Section 14.06  Transitional ordinances and

26  resolutions.--The Council shall adopt ordinances and

27  resolutions required to effect the transition. Ordinances

28  adopted within 90 days after the first Council meeting may be

29  passed as emergency ordinances as provided in section 9.02,

30  except these transitional ordinances shall be effective for no

31  longer than 90 days after adoption and, thereafter, may be

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  1  readopted, renewed, amended, or otherwise continued only in

  2  the manner normally prescribed for ordinances.

  3

  4         Section 14.07  Transitional comprehensive plan.--Until

  5  such time as the Village adopts a comprehensive plan, the

  6  Escambia County Comprehensive Plan and the 1988 PB Land

  7  Utilization Plan and Article 13, Escambia County Land

  8  Development Code (LDC), as the same exists on the day the

  9  Village commences corporate existence, shall remain in effect

10  as the Village transitional comprehensive plan.

11

12         Section 14.08  Transitional land development

13  regulations.--To implement the transitional comprehensive plan

14  when adopted, the Village shall, in accordance with the

15  procedures required by Florida law, adopt ordinances providing

16  for land development regulations within the corporate limits.

17         (a)  All powers and duties of the Escambia County

18  Department of Community Development, Escambia County hearing

19  examiner, and County Commission of Escambia County, Florida,

20  as set forth in these transitional land development

21  regulations, shall remain vested with the County until such

22  time through interlocal agreement the County and the Village

23  agree to a transfer of responsibility to the Village. Once

24  transferred, such powers and duties set forth in the

25  interlocal agreement shall be vested in the Village Council

26  until such time as the Village Council delegates all or a

27  portion thereof to another entity.

28         (b)  The Council is fully empowered to amend,

29  supersede, enforce, or repeal the transitional land

30  development regulations, or any portion thereof, by ordinance.

31

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  1         (c)  Subsequent to the commencement of the Village's

  2  corporate existence, no amendment of the comprehensive plan or

  3  land development regulations enacted by the Escambia County

  4  Commission shall be deemed an amendment of the Village's

  5  transitional comprehensive plan or land development regulation

  6  or otherwise take effect within the Village's municipal

  7  boundaries unless approved by the Village Council.

  8

  9         Section 14.09  State-shared revenues.--The Village of

10  Pensacola Beach shall be entitled to participate in all shared

11  revenue programs of the State of Florida effective immediately

12  on the date of incorporation. Lease fees collected in lieu of

13  ad valorem taxes within the corporate limits of the Village

14  shall meet the requirements of all Florida Statutes,

15  including, but not limited to, section 218.23, Florida

16  Statutes, (1997), for the purpose of eligibility to receive

17  revenue sharing funds from the date of incorporation through

18  the state fiscal year 2001-2002.  Initial population estimates

19  for calculating eligibility for shared revenues shall be

20  determined by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and

21  Business Research.  Should the Bureau be unable to provide an

22  appropriate population estimate, the Escambia County

23  Department of Community Development shall provide an

24  appropriate estimate.

25

26         Section 14.10  Local Option Gas Taxes.--Notwithstanding

27  the requirements of section 336.025, Florida Statutes, to the

28  contrary, The Village of Pensacola Beach shall be entitled to

29  receive local option gas tax revenues concurrent with its

30  incorporation. The said revenues shall be distributed in

31

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  1  accordance with an interlocal agreement based upon the

  2  relative population of the entities sharing the revenue.

  3

  4         Section 14.11  Contractual services and

  5  facilities.--Services for fire, police, public  works, parks

  6  and recreation, planning and zoning, building inspection,

  7  development reviews, animal control, and solid waste

  8  collection may be supplied by contract between the Village and

  9  county, special districts, municipalities, or private

10  enterprise until such time as the Village Council establishes

11  such independent services.

12

13         Section 14.12  Elimination of transition elements from

14  the Charter.--Upon completion of the transition phase as

15  contained herein, those sections of the Charter relating to

16  transition shall be eliminated from the charter.

17

18            ARTICLE XV: INDEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICTS

19

20         Section 15.01  It is recognized that certain services

21  within the municipal boundaries are provided by independent

22  special districts created by special acts of the Florida

23  Legislature. The municipality is empowered to merge the

24  functions of said districts with those of the municipality

25  only upon dissolution of the special district, or upon

26  affirmative vote of a majority of the Village Council and an

27  affirmative vote of the majority of the Council or board

28  governing the district after meeting all requirements for

29  merger or dissolution in the district's enabling legislation

30  and chapter 189, Florida Statutes. It is recognized that

31  certain planning and interlocal agreements may be necessary

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  1  between the Village and such districts and the Village Council

  2  shall endeavor to maximize the benefits of the districts to

  3  the fullest extent possible. In the event the Village Council

  4  desires to supplement or duplicate services determined to be

  5  inadequate, the Council is fully empowered to do so.

  6

  7                   ARTICLE XVI: REVENUE-SHARING

  8

  9         Section 16.01  Lease fees collected in lieu of ad

10  valorem taxes within the corporate limits of the Village and

11  MSBU fees paid by leaseholders do meet, and they are hereby

12  declared commensurate with, the local revenue raising

13  requirements of Florida Statutes, including but not limited

14  to, section 218.23, Florida Statutes, (1997). The Village of

15  Pensacola Beach accordingly shall be eligible to participate

16  in revenue sharing beyond the minimum entitlement in any

17  fiscal year.

18

19                   ARTICLE XVII: PUBLIC PURPOSE

20

21         Section 17.01  Beach Access.--The Village of Pensacola

22  Beach shall at all times honor, abide by, and enforce the

23  terms set forth in the Deed of Conveyance, dated February 16,

24  1947, from the United States of America to Escambia County,

25  Florida. This Charter is intended to further serve the intent

26  of the original Deed of Conveyance as it relates to the public

27  interest.

28

29         Section 17.02  Lease Fees.--All interests, rights, and

30  obligations of the Santa Rosa Island Authority in existing

31  lease or sublease agreements between leaseholders and the

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  1  Santa Rosa Island Authority as of December 31, 2000, shall be

  2  assigned, transferred, and conveyed without modification to

  3  the Village of Pensacola Beach as successor in interest to the

  4  Santa Rosa Island Authority.  Thereafter, the terms and intent

  5  of each and every such lease or sublease shall be honored by

  6  the Village and its Council.

  7         (a)  All lease fees collected by the Village are in

  8  lieu of ad valorem taxes because of express promises and

  9  inducements made to ultimate leaseholders and subleaseholders,

10  and their successors in interest, that the leasehold interests

11  would remain exempt from State, County, Municipal, and all

12  other ad valorem taxes of every kind.  All title to leased and

13  subleased land and improvements within the Village is and will

14  remain vested in Escambia County.

15         (b)  Consistent with the deed by which the United

16  States Department of Interior conveyed the real property

17  within the Village to Escambia County to be used in the public

18  interest, the Village of Pensacola Beach shall not sell or

19  otherwise dispose of leasehold interests for which it is

20  assignee and successor in interest of the Santa Rosa Island

21  Authority but shall at all times act to ensure that lease and

22  sublease agreements serve the public interest.

23         (c)  The Village of Pensacola Beach, as assignee and

24  successor in interest of the Santa Rosa Island Authority,

25  shall collect lease fees in lieu of ad valorem taxes for use

26  in financing governmental activities in the same manner and to

27  the same extent as did the SRIA previously.

28

29         Section 17.03  Equipment, Vehicles, and Personal

30  Property Transfer.--All equipment, vehicles, and personal

31  property owned or leased by the Santa Rosa Island Authority

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  1  shall be transferred, assigned, and conveyed to the Village of

  2  Pensacola Beach.  The Village of Pensacola Beach as assignee

  3  and successor in interest of the Santa Rosa Island Authority,

  4  shall assume and fully discharge upon the same terms the

  5  remaining indebtedness, if any, for such property formerly

  6  belonging to the Santa Rosa Island Authority consistent with

  7  the terms of purchase or lease for which the Santa Rosa Island

  8  Authority is obligated to any third-party vendor or lender.

  9

10         Section 17.04  Public easements, real property, and

11  improvements.--All easements, real property, and improvements

12  within the Village owned, leased, subleased, or used by the

13  Santa Rosa Island Authority, Escambia County, or the Escambia

14  County Sheriff for the purpose of carrying out public

15  governmental duties and responsibilities, including, but not

16  limited to, streets, parking lots, the SRIA office building,

17  Escambia County Sheriff's substation, Casino Beach Pavilion,

18  Visitor Center, parks, piers, docks, boat ramps, picnic

19  facilities, playgrounds, dune walkovers, walkways, sidewalks,

20  workshops, sheds, garages, and unimproved real estate, shall

21  be leased, transferred, and assigned to the Village of

22  Pensacola Beach for a period of 99 years with the right of

23  renewal for an additional like period upon payment of the sum

24  of one dollar ($1) per year to Escambia County. The Village

25  shall use and exercise dominion over said easements, property,

26  and improvements exclusively for municipal purposes in the

27  public interest in carrying out its governmental duties.

28

29         Section 17.05  Beach Advisory Commission.--The Village

30  Council shall within a year of incorporation work with

31  regional governments, business, and civic leaders to establish

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  1  a Beach Advisory Committee.  Said committee will meet

  2  semiannually with the Village Council to discuss beach issues

  3  having areawide implications.

  4

  5         Section 17.06  Continuation of Existing

  6  Employees.--Existing staff and employees of the Santa Rosa

  7  Island Authority shall be assured of continued employment by

  8  the Village of Pensacola Beach, absent misconduct or good

  9  cause for termination, subject to confirmation by the

10  governing body of the Village through the presentation of its

11  initial budget.

12

13         Section 17.07  Other Assets, Accounts, and Debt

14  Transfer.--All other existing assets, financial accounts,

15  indebtedness, contracts, and obligations of the Santa Rosa

16  Island Authority upon incorporation shall be assigned and

17  transferred to the Village of Pensacola Beach.  From the date

18  of the referendum to the establishment of the Village of

19  Pensacola Beach, the SRIA will be prohibited from disposing of

20  such assets and accounts or entering into any contracts which

21  obligate the SRIA to debts other than those necessary for the

22  daily operational activities of the Island.

23

24                  ARTICLE XVIII: ABOLISHMENT OF

25                 THE SANTA ROSA ISLAND AUTHORITY

26

27         Section 18.01  Abolishment.--Effective upon the

28  incorporation of the Village of Pensacola Beach (December 31,

29  2000) the Santa Rosa Island Authority will be abolished and

30  any and all of its duties assumed by the Village of Pensacola

31  Beach.

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  1

  2         Section 18.02  Trustee.--The Escambia County Commission

  3  shall appoint a trustee vested with the fiduciary obligation

  4  and authority to prudently oversee and direct the execution of

  5  the fiscal year 2001 budget of the Santa Rosa Island Authority

  6  beginning October 1, 2000, until the Village is officially

  7  incorporated on December 31, 2000. The trustee may hire on a

  8  temporary basis such additional assistants for a trustee team

  9  as in his or her judgment is prudent, reasonable, and

10  necessary. Escambia County shall be reimbursed for the

11  trustee's salary.  Such reimbursement shall be included in the

12  Santa Rosa Island Authority's fiscal year 2001 budget

13  submission to the Escambia County Commission.

14

15         Section 2.  This act shall take effect only upon its

16  approval by a majority vote of those qualified electors

17  residing within the proposed corporate limits of the proposed

18  Village of Pensacola Beach as described in section 2.01,

19  voting in a referendum election to be called by the Escambia

20  County Commission and conducted by the Supervisor of Elections

21  of Escambia County by a mail ballot, in accordance with the

22  Mail Ballot Election Act, sections 101.6101-101.6107, Florida

23  Statutes, by July 24, 2000, except that sections 14.01 and

24  15.01 of section 1 of this act and section 2 shall take effect

25  upon becoming a law.

26

27

28

29

30

31

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