House Bill hb1115e1

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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to Brevard County; providing

  3         for codification of existing special laws

  4         relating to the creation, powers, and duties of

  5         the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, a

  6         dependent special district in Brevard County,

  7         as provided in chapters 86-418, 90-401, 91-341,

  8         92-239, and 94-424, Laws of Florida, except as

  9         amended by this act; providing legislative

10         purpose; amending definitions of "District,"

11         "general obligation bonds," and "revenue

12         bonds"; amending scope of revenue sources

13         allowed to be bonded; clarifying provisions

14         relating to liens, collection, and foreclosure

15         to include special assessments and stormwater

16         management user fees; amending liability of

17         District where lands are made available to

18         public for outdoor recreational purposes, as

19         defined therein; providing editorial revisions;

20         establishing obstruction or impeding of a

21         drainage canal or watercourse as a criminal

22         offense; providing for civil damages for

23         obstruction and impeding drainage canal or

24         watercourse; amending, codifying, reenacting,

25         and repealing chapters 86-418, 90-401, 91-341,

26         92-239, and 94-424, Laws of Florida;

27         re-creating the District and re-creating and

28         reenacting the charter; providing an effective

29         date.

30

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


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         Section 1.  Pursuant to section 189.429, Florida

  2  Statutes, this act constitutes the codification of all special

  3  acts relating to the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

  4  It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this law to

  5  provide a single, comprehensive special act charter for the

  6  district, including all current legislative authority granted

  7  to the district by its several legislative enactments and any

  8  additional authority granted by this act. It is further the

  9  intent of this act to preserve all district authority,

10  including the authority to annually assess and levy against

11  the taxable property in the district a tax not to exceed 0.2

12  mills on the dollar of assessed valuation.

13         Section 2.  Chapters 86-418, 90-401, 91-341, 92-239,

14  and 94-424, Laws of Florida, are amended, codified, reenacted,

15  and repealed as herein provided.

16         Section 3.  The charter for the Melbourne-Tillman Water

17  Control District is re-created and reenacted to read:

18         Section 1.  Legislative intent.--It is hereby declared

19  and determined by the Legislature that a special district

20  within the definition of sections 165.031(5) and

21  200.001(8)(d), Florida Statutes, to be known as the

22  Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, would be the most

23  responsive, efficient, and effective local government entity

24  to secure, operate, and maintain an adequate, dependable

25  surface water management system within the boundaries set

26  forth in Section 3 herein. It is, therefore, the intent of the

27  Legislature that such special district shall possess the full

28  power and authority to implement, finance, and operate all

29  existing surface water management system facilities, and those

30  to be constructed within the boundaries of the District,

31  subject to being granted all permits required by the laws,


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  rules, and regulations of federal, state, and regional

  2  regulatory agencies.

  3         Section 2.  Definitions.--As used in this act:

  4         (1)  "District" means the Melbourne-Tillman Water

  5  Control District, a special district created by this act.

  6         (2)  "Surface water management system" means all

  7  drainage facilities whereby surface waters are collected,

  8  controlled, conveyed, channeled, diverted, impounded,

  9  obstructed, stored, detained, or retained, or other surface

10  water management capabilities or combination of capabilities.

11  The term "facilities" includes all necessary devices,

12  improvements, natural systems, rights-of-way, appurtenant

13  works, and works required to accomplish the above.

14  "Facilities" also includes all dams, levees, berms, weirs,

15  control structures, impoundments, ponds, lakes, streams,

16  canals, ditches, swales, culverts, pipes, subsurface systems

17  of pipes, inlets, and culverts, erosion control, floodways,

18  greenbelts, access and maintenance ways, or similar items to

19  accomplish the above.

20         (3)  "Cost," as applied to the construction or

21  maintenance of a surface water management system, or

22  extensions, additions, or improvements thereto, includes the

23  cost of construction, reconstruction, acquisition, purchase,

24  or replacement; the cost of maintenance, operation, and

25  repair; the cost of all labor, materials, machinery, and

26  equipment; the cost of all lands and interest therein,

27  property, rights, easements, and financing charges; interest

28  prior to and during construction; the creation of initial

29  reserve or debt service funds; bond discount; cost of plans,

30  specifications, surveys, and estimates of costs and revenues;

31  cost of engineering, financial, and legal services, and all


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  other expenses necessary or incidental in determining the

  2  feasibility or practicability of such construction,

  3  reconstruction, or acquisition, maintenance, operation, and

  4  repair; administrative expenses; such other expenses as may be

  5  necessary or incidental to financing authorized by this act;

  6  and reimbursement to any municipality, county, or any other

  7  person, firm, or corporation for any moneys advanced to the

  8  District for any expenses incurred by the District in

  9  connection with any of the foregoing items of cost or the

10  creation of the District.

11         (4)  "Revenue bonds" means bonds, notes, or other

12  obligations secured by and payable from the revenue derived

13  from a pledge of the proceeds of special assessments levied

14  against benefited properties and/or stormwater management user

15  fees.

16         (5)  "General obligation bonds" means bonds or other

17  obligations secured by the full faith and credit and taxing

18  power of the District and payable from ad valorem taxes levied

19  and collected on all taxable property within the boundaries of

20  the District, without limitation of rate or amount, and may be

21  additionally secured by the pledge of the proceeds of special

22  assessments levied against benefited property and/or

23  stormwater management user fees.

24         (6)  "City" means the City of Palm Bay and/or the City

25  of West Melbourne, as may be indicated.

26         (7)  "County" means Brevard County.

27         (8)  "Board of Directors" means a seven (7) member

28  board comprising three (3) members appointed by the Brevard

29  County Commission, three (3) members appointed by the City of

30  Palm Bay City Council, and one (1) member appointed by the

31  City of West Melbourne City Council.


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         (9)  "Owner," as used in this act, means the owner of

  2  the fee simple estate, as appears by the deed of record, and

  3  it shall not include reversioners, remaindermen, trustees, or

  4  mortgagees, who shall not be counted and need not be notified

  5  by publication, or served by process, but shall be represented

  6  by the present owners of the freehold estate in any proceeding

  7  under this act.

  8         (10)  "Primary" means all existing numbered canals

  9  within District rights-of-way, to include facilities such as

10  dams, weirs, control structures, culverts, pipes, and any

11  future works so designated by the Board.

12         (11)  "Secondary" means all drainage facilities that

13  convey surface water to primary system by crossing District

14  rights-of-way lines.

15         (12)  "Tertiary" means all drainage facilities

16  associated with and located within rights-of-way of public

17  roadways, driveways, parking lots, etc., that convey surface

18  water to secondary systems.

19         Section 3.  Special district.--There is hereby created

20  and incorporated the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District,

21  a dependent special district, for the purpose of constructing,

22  reconstructing and repairing, maintaining, and operating a

23  surface water management system. The boundaries of the

24  District are:

25

26         All of Township 29 South, Range 36 East, and

27         portions of Township 29 South, Range 37 East,

28         Township 28 South, Range 36 East and Township

29         28 South, Range 37 East in Brevard County,

30         Florida being more particularly described as

31         follows:


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1

  2         Township 29 South, Range 37 East:

  3

  4         The West 1/2 of Sections 3, 27 and 34, and all

  5         of Sections 4 through 9, 16 through 21, and 28

  6         through 33, and the West 1/2 of the Southwest

  7         1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 34.

  8

  9         Township 28 South, Range 36 East:

10

11         The South 1/2 of Sections 1 through 5, the

12         Southeast 1/4 of Section 6, and all of Sections

13         7 through 36.

14

15         Township 28 South, Range 37 East:

16

17         The Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, the West 1/2

18         and Southeast 1/4 of Section 7, the West 1/2 of

19         Section 17, the South 1/2 of Section 21, a

20         portion of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 22

21         described as the West 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4

22         of the Southwest 1/4, less Parcel 543, the

23         South 1/2 of Section 27, less a portion of the

24         North 1/2 of the South 1/2 described as the

25         area bounded by the west section line, then

26         southerly along the section line to a point 419

27         feet distant, then easterly to a point along

28         the east section line 450 feet southerly of the

29         midpoint of the east section line, then

30         northerly along the section line to the

31         midpoint of the section line, then westerly to


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         the midpoint of the west section line, the

  2         point of beginning, the West 1/2, Northeast 1/4

  3         and a portion of the Southeast 1/4 described as

  4         the North 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 and Lot 4

  5         and the West 1/2 of Lot 3, all within Section

  6         34, the West 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 and

  7         Northwest 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section

  8         35, and all of Sections 18 through 20, and 28

  9         through 33.

10

11  The District shall constitute a dependent special district

12  under the laws of the state.

13         Section 4.  Board of Directors; composition.--The

14  District shall be governed by a seven (7) member Board

15  comprising three (3) members appointed by the Brevard County

16  Commission, three (3) members appointed by the City of Palm

17  Bay City Council, and one (1) member appointed by the City of

18  West Melbourne City Council. The initial Board of Directors

19  shall be appointed in accordance with the above and shall take

20  office on October 1, 1986. Initially, in appointment of

21  members to the Board of Directors, in order to ultimately

22  achieve staggered terms to have continuity, the County and

23  City of Palm Bay shall appoint their three (3) members for

24  terms of one (1) year, two (2) years, and three (3) years,

25  respectively. The City of West Melbourne shall appoint its

26  member for a term of three (3) years. As the initial terms

27  expire, subsequent appointments shall be for full three (3)

28  year terms. The members of the Board of Directors shall be

29  residents of the District during their tenure as members of

30  the Board.

31


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         Section 5.  Board of Directors' oath of office.--Each

  2  member, before entering upon his or her official duties, shall

  3  take and subscribe to an oath, before some officer authorized

  4  by law to administer oaths, that he or she will honestly,

  5  faithfully, and impartially perform the duties devolving upon

  6  him or her in office, as a member of the Board of Directors of

  7  the District to which he or she was appointed, and that he or

  8  she will not neglect any of the duties imposed upon him or her

  9  by virtue of acceptance of the office.

10         Section 6.  Organization of Board; compensation of

11  members of Board.--Immediately after their appointment, the

12  Board members shall meet at some convenient place; elect one

13  of their number to serve as president of the Board together

14  with any other officers the Board may choose to elect; and

15  elect as secretary some suitable person, who may or may not be

16  a member of the Board, and who may be required to execute bond

17  for the faithful performance of his or her duties, as the

18  Board members may require. Such Board shall adopt a seal with

19  a suitable device. The members of the Board shall be

20  reimbursed for their traveling expenses pursuant to section

21  112.061, Florida Statutes, but shall receive no compensation

22  for their service.

23         Section 7.  Board of Directors to keep record of

24  proceedings, etc.--The Board of the District shall cause to be

25  kept complete books and records together with minutes of all

26  meetings, proceedings, bonds given by all employees, and any

27  and all corporate acts. The record shall at all usual business

28  times be open to the inspection of anyone interested, whether

29  taxpayer or bondholder.

30         Section 8.  Powers given the Board to effect a surface

31  water management system within District boundaries.--In order


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  to responsibly, efficiently, and effectively secure, operate,

  2  and maintain an adequate, dependable surface water management

  3  system, the Board of Directors, consistent with and supportive

  4  of the state water policy, the state water use plan, the state

  5  land development plan, and the regional policy plan, shall:

  6         (1)  Establish a water management system which will

  7  accomplish objectives as follows:

  8         (a)  Prevent damage from flood, soil erosion, and

  9  excessive drainage.

10         (b)  Promote the conservation, development, and proper

11  utilization of surface and ground water.

12         (c)  Preserve natural resources, fish, and wildlife.

13         (d)  Maintain water quality in the District and the

14  receiving waters from the District.

15         (e)  Preserve and protect the natural systems in the

16  District, Turkey Creek, the Indian River, and the St. Johns

17  River.

18         (f)  Purchase and establish conservation areas and

19  passive recreation areas to protect the natural resources,

20  including the sloughs, wetlands, and natural areas, which

21  exist in the District or along the receiving waters, where the

22  District finds it is appropriate for environmental protection

23  or conservation of the natural resources. The District shall

24  utilize the best management practices in implementing and

25  operating its water management system.

26         (2)  Clean out, straighten, open up, widen, or change

27  the course and flow of, alter, or deepen any canal, ditch,

28  drain, river, watercourse, or natural stream; and concentrate,

29  divert, or divide the flow of water in or out of the District

30  boundaries; construct and maintain main and lateral ditches,

31  canals, levees, dikes, dams, sluices, revetments, reservoirs,


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  holding basins, floodways, pumping stations and siphons, and

  2  may connect same, or any of them, with any canals, drains,

  3  ditches, levees, or other works that may have been heretofore,

  4  or which may be hereafter, constructed.

  5         (3)  Build and construct any other works and

  6  improvements deemed necessary to preserve and maintain the

  7  works within said District boundaries; acquire, construct,

  8  operate, maintain, use, sell, convey, transfer, or otherwise

  9  provide for pumping stations, including pumping machinery,

10  motive equipment, electric lines, and all appurtenant or

11  auxiliary machines, devices, or equipment; control excessive

12  drainage, reflood lands previously reclaimed, and dechannelize

13  and reverse previous diversions accomplished in the past; all

14  with emphasis upon modern water management principles and

15  standards.

16         (4)  Contract for the purchase, construction,

17  operation, maintenance, use, sale, conveyance, and transfer of

18  the said pumping stations, machinery, motive equipment,

19  electric lines, and appurtenant equipment, including the

20  purchase of electric power and energy for the operation of the

21  same.

22         (5)  Construct or enlarge, or cause to be constructed

23  or enlarged, at its expense, any and all bridges or culverts

24  that are needed in said District, as a result of the

25  construction or modification of the works of the District,

26  across any drain, ditch, canal, floodway, holding basin,

27  excavation, public highway, railroad right-of-way, track,

28  grade, fill, or cut, in or out of said District boundaries;

29  remove any fence, building, or other improvements.

30         (6)  Hold, control, and acquire by donation or purchase

31  and, if need be, condemn any land easement, railroad


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  right-of-way, sluice, reservoir, holding basin or franchise,

  2  right-of-way, or holding basin for any of the purposes herein

  3  provided, or material to be used in constructing and

  4  maintaining said works and improvements for implementing

  5  authorized improvements for water management.

  6         (7)  Implement and authorize improvements to the

  7  surface water management plan as may from time to time be

  8  recommended by the engineer and approved and permitted by the

  9  applicable rules and regulations of all state and regional

10  regulatory agencies.

11         (8)  Sue and be sued in the name of the District and

12  restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent the violation of this

13  act or of any resolution, rule, or regulation adopted pursuant

14  to the powers granted by this act.

15         (9)  Establish and define, in conjunction with other

16  public entities, all surface water management areas within the

17  boundaries of the District to determine which facilities

18  within surface water management areas of the District shall be

19  maintained by the District. In such establishing and/or

20  defining, the definitions of "primary," "secondary," and

21  "tertiary" in subsections (10), (11), and (12) of Section 3

22  herein shall serve as guidelines in making such determination.

23         (10)  Enter into agreements with other units of

24  government for such units of government to perform any

25  function on behalf of the District which is authorized by this

26  act.

27         (11)  Exercise all of the powers necessary, convenient,

28  incidental, or proper in connection with any of the powers,

29  duties, or purposes authorized by this act.

30         (12)(a)  Levy, assess, and collect an annual stormwater

31  management user fee to carry out the purposes of the District,


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  beginning with the 1990-1991 budget year. Such fee must be

  2  just and equitable and shall be based upon the impact that a

  3  given parcel of land imposes on the stormwater management

  4  system.

  5         (b)  A fee may not be finally set by the Board of

  6  Directors or approved by the Board of County Commissioners of

  7  Brevard County during its annual budget review until after a

  8  public hearing is held by the Board of County Commissioners.

  9  The Board of County Commissioners must hold a special public

10  hearing within the boundaries of the District. At the public

11  hearing, all owners of property in the District shall have an

12  opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed fee.

13         (c)  Notice of such public hearing for the 1990-1991

14  budget year must be given in the manner prescribed in

15  subsection (2) of Section 16. Thereafter, notice must be given

16  by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in

17  Brevard County at least 7 days before the date of the hearing.

18  The stormwater management user fee, when established, shall be

19  deemed to be reasonable and necessary to carry out the

20  obligations, responsibilities, and duties of the District. All

21  of the proceeds of the fee are in payment for the use of the

22  District stormwater management system. The fee must be

23  established by resolution of the Board of Directors and

24  approved by a majority vote of the Board of County

25  Commissioners of Brevard County, with each County Commissioner

26  whose county commission residency area lies wholly or

27  partially within the District voting in the affirmative.

28         (d)  The stormwater management user fee structure shall

29  have three land classifications: Residential, Agricultural,

30  and Commercial. The Board of Directors, in establishing the

31  annual fee, must use the Brevard County Land Use Code Index as


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  the basis for land classification. The annual stormwater

  2  management user fee shall be levied on the parcels, as the

  3  Brevard County Land Use Code Index has them designated, for

  4  that respective budget year.

  5         For the 1990-1991 budget year, the residential fee may

  6  not exceed $10 per acre or portion thereof, the agricultural

  7  fee may not exceed $3.50 per acre or portion thereof, and the

  8  commercial fee may not exceed $21 per acre or portion thereof.

  9         Thereafter, the stormwater management fee for

10  residential parcels, agricultural parcels, or commercial

11  parcels may not be more than 10 percent above the fee for the

12  preceding year. However, the maximum fee per acre or portion

13  thereof for residential parcels may not exceed $25, the

14  maximum fee per acre or portion thereof for agricultural

15  parcels may not exceed $8.50, and the maximum fee per acre or

16  portion thereof for commercial parcels may exceed $52.50.

17         (13)  Levy and assess ad valorem taxes without

18  limitation of rate or amount on all taxable property within

19  the boundaries of the District for the purpose of paying

20  principal of and interest on any general obligation bonds by

21  the Board of County Commissioners and which may be issued for

22  the purposes of this act after approval of the issuance of

23  such bonds by referendum of the electors.

24         (14)  Levy and impose special assessments against the

25  real property within the boundaries of the District upon a

26  determination that the construction, reconstruction, repair,

27  maintenance, and operation of the surface water management

28  system provides a benefit to such real property. The benefits

29  shall be assessed upon the property specially benefited by the

30  construction of improvements or provision of operation and

31  maintenance services in proportion to the benefits to be


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  derived therefrom, and the special benefits shall be

  2  determined and prorated by a method prescribed by the Board of

  3  Directors.

  4         (a)  The Board of Directors, if it elects to assess a

  5  special assessment, shall declare by a resolution the nature

  6  of the proposed improvement or the services provided to

  7  existing improvements, designate the location of the

  8  improvement or the service provided to existing improvements,

  9  and state the part or portion of the expense thereof to be

10  paid by special assessments, the manner in which said

11  assessments shall be made, when said assessments are to be

12  paid, and what part, if any, shall be apportioned to be paid

13  from the funds of the District. The resolution shall also

14  designate the lands upon which the special assessment shall be

15  levied, and, in describing said lands, it shall be sufficient

16  to describe them as "all lands and lots abutting and

17  contiguous to or bounding and abutting upon such improvements,

18  or where services are to be provided to existing improvements

19  specifically benefited thereby and further designated by the

20  assessment plat herein provided for." The resolution shall

21  state the total estimated cost of the improvement or service

22  to be provided to existing improvements. Such estimated cost

23  may include the cost of construction or reconstruction; the

24  cost of all labor and materials; the cost of equipment and

25  maintenance and operation thereof; the cost of all lands,

26  property, rights, and easements acquired; financing charges;

27  interest; cost of all engineering, legal, financial, and other

28  services; all other expenses necessary or incidental to

29  determine the feasibility or practicability of such

30  construction or reconstruction or provision of service;

31  administrative expenses; operating expenses; and such other


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the financing

  2  herein authorized.

  3         (b)  Upon the adoption of the resolution, the Board of

  4  Directors shall cause said resolution to be published one time

  5  in a newspaper of general circulation published in Brevard

  6  County.

  7         (c)  Upon the adoption of the resolution, the Board of

  8  Directors shall cause to be made an assessment roll in

  9  accordance with the method of assessment provided for in said

10  resolution, which assessment roll shall be completed and filed

11  with the records of the Board of Directors as promptly as

12  possible. The lots and lands assessed, the amount for the

13  benefit to and the assessment against each lot or parcel, and,

14  if said assessment is to be paid in installments, the number

15  of annual installments in which the assessment is divided

16  shall be entered and shown on said assessment roll.

17         (d)  On the completion of said assessment roll, the

18  Board of Directors shall by resolution fix a time and place at

19  which the owners of the property to be assessed, or any other

20  persons interested therein, may appear before said Board of

21  Directors and be heard as to the propriety and advisability of

22  making such improvements or providing said services, as to the

23  cost thereof, as to the amount of payment therefor, and as to

24  the amount thereof to be assessed against each property so

25  improved. Notice in writing of such time and place shall be

26  given to such property owners.

27         (e)  At a time and place named in the notice provided

28  for in paragraph (d), the Board of Directors of the District

29  shall meet as an equalization board to hear and consider any

30  and all complaints as to the special assessments and shall

31  adjust and equalize the assessments on the basis of justice


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  and right. After the special assessments are so equalized and

  2  approved by resolution, such assessments shall stand confirmed

  3  and, until paid, shall remain legal, valid, and binding first

  4  liens upon the property against which such assessments are

  5  made; however, upon completion of the improvement, acquisition

  6  of equipment, or provision of service, the Board of Directors

  7  shall credit to each of the assessments the difference in the

  8  assessment as originally made, approved, and confirmed and the

  9  proportionate part of the actual cost of the improvement,

10  equipment, or service to be paid by special assessments as

11  finally determined on the completion of the improvement or

12  service, but in no event shall the final assessments exceed

13  the amount of benefits originally assessed. Promptly after

14  confirmation, the assessments shall be recorded in the public

15  records of Brevard County and the record of the lien shall

16  constitute prima facie evidence of its validity.

17         (f)  The special assessments shall be payable at the

18  time and in the manner stipulated in the resolution

19  authorizing the improvement, equipment, or service. Such

20  assessments shall remain liens, coequal with the lien of all

21  state, county, or other district taxes, and municipal taxes,

22  and superior in dignity to all other liens, titles, and

23  claims, until paid. Such assessments shall bear interest at a

24  rate prescribed by the Board of Directors in the resolution

25  which it adopts.

26         (g)  Each annual installment provided for shall be paid

27  upon the date specified in said resolution, with interest upon

28  all deferred payments, until the entire amount of said

29  assessment has been paid, and, on the failure of any property

30  owner to pay any annual installment due or any part thereof,

31  or any annual interest on deferred payments, the Board of


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  Directors shall cause to be brought the necessary legal

  2  proceedings to enforce payment thereof with all accrued

  3  interest and penalties, together with all legal costs

  4  incurred, including a reasonable attorney's fee, to be

  5  assessed as part of the costs, and, in the event of default in

  6  the payment of any installments of any assessment or any

  7  accrued interest on said installment, the whole assessment,

  8  with the interest and penalties thereon, shall immediately

  9  become due and payable and subject to foreclosure. In the

10  foreclosure of any special assessment, service of process

11  against unknown or nonresident defendants may be had by

12  publication as now provided by law. The foreclosure

13  proceedings shall be prosecuted to a sale and conveyance of

14  the property involved in said proceedings as now provided by

15  law in suits to foreclose mortgages.

16         (h)  If any special assessment made under the

17  provisions of this section to defray the whole or any part of

18  the expense of any improvement or provision of any service is

19  either in whole or in part annulled, vacated, or set aside by

20  the judgment of any court, or if the Board of Directors of the

21  District is satisfied that any such assessment is so irregular

22  or defective that the same cannot be enforced or collected, or

23  if the Board of Directors omitted to make such assessment when

24  it might have done so, the Board shall take all necessary

25  steps to cause a new assessment to be made for the whole or

26  any part of any improvement or service provided or against any

27  property benefited by any improvement or service provided,

28  following as nearly as possible the provisions of this act,

29  and, in case such second assessment shall be annulled, said

30  Board of Directors may obtain and make other assessments until

31  a valid assessment is made.


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         (i)  An informality or any irregularity in the

  2  proceedings in connection with the levy of any special

  3  assessment under this act shall not affect the validity of the

  4  same where the assessment roll has been confirmed by the Board

  5  of Directors, and the assessment roll as finally approved and

  6  confirmed shall be competent and sufficient evidence that the

  7  assessment was duly levied, that the assessment was duly made

  8  and adopted, and that all other proceedings adequate to the

  9  adoption of said assessment roll were duly had, taken, and

10  performed as required by this act; no variance from the

11  directions hereunder shall be held material unless it is

12  clearly shown that the party objecting was materially injured

13  thereby.

14         Section 9.  The Board of Directors to establish

15  budget.--The present Board of Directors of the

16  Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District shall establish a

17  proposed budget to be submitted to the Brevard County

18  Commission by July 1, 1986, to provide the initial operating

19  expenses until such time as the District receives revenue from

20  user fees, taxes, and/or special assessments as provided

21  herein. The term "operating expenses" means all contemplated

22  capital and operating costs and expenses of the District

23  necessary to carry out any of the purposes of the District

24  provided under this act. The initial proposed budget shall be

25  modified or approved by the Brevard County Commission at the

26  times and in the manner in which the annual County budget is

27  approved by the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard

28  County. Thereafter, the Board of Directors of the new District

29  shall establish an annual operating expense budget for each

30  fiscal year, which shall commence on the first day of October

31  and terminate on the last day of September of the next year.


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  The Board of Directors shall adopt a tentative annual

  2  operating expense budget prior to July 1 of each year, to be

  3  approved by the Board of County Commissioners in the manner

  4  contemplated under section 200.001(8)(d), Florida Statutes,

  5  and deliver a copy of such tentative annual operating expense

  6  budget to the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County,

  7  to the City Council of the City of Palm Bay, and to the City

  8  Council of the City of West Melbourne. Such budget shall be

  9  modified or approved by the Brevard County Commission at the

10  times and in the manner in which the annual County budget is

11  approved by the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard

12  County.

13         Section 10.  Appointment of engineers, attorneys,

14  accountants, surveyors, financial or other experts, District

15  manager, and other agents and employees.--The Board of

16  Directors shall appoint such engineers, attorneys,

17  accountants, treasurer, surveyors, financial or other experts,

18  and other agents and employees as the District may require or

19  the Board of Directors deems necessary to effectuate the

20  purpose of this act as set forth herein. The persons,

21  partnerships, or corporations so appointed or agents and

22  employees so employed shall perform such duties and have such

23  responsibilities as they may from time to time be given or

24  assigned by the Board of Directors. The terms and conditions,

25  including compensation, under which such appointment or

26  employment is undertaken shall be, except for employees of the

27  District, evidenced by an agreement in writing.

28         Section ll.  Appointment and duties of treasurer of

29  District.--The Board of Directors shall select and appoint

30  some competent person, or bank or trust company organized

31  under the laws of the state, as treasurer of the District, who


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  shall receive and receipt for the taxes collected by the

  2  county collector or collectors. Said treasurer shall give bond

  3  in such amount as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors,

  4  conditioned that he or she will well and truly account for and

  5  pay out, as provided by law, all moneys received by him or her

  6  as taxes from the county collector, and the proceeds from tax

  7  sales for delinquent taxes, and from any other source whatever

  8  on account or claim of said District, which bond shall be

  9  signed by at least two sureties, or by some surety or bonding

10  company, approved and accepted by said Board of Directors.

11  Said treasurer shall keep all funds received by him or her

12  from any source whatever deposited at all times in some bank,

13  banks, or trust company to be designated by the Board of

14  Directors. All interest accruing on such funds shall, when

15  paid, be credited to the District. The Board shall provide for

16  an annual financial audit of the accounts and records of the

17  District and make a report thereof at a regularly scheduled

18  meeting in November of each year.

19         Section 12.  Board may remove officers and

20  employees.--The Board of Directors may at any time remove any

21  officer, attorney, engineer, employee, or agent appointed or

22  employed by said Board within the bounds of any agreement with

23  such person, firm, partnership, or corporation.

24         Section 13.  When existing system inadequate, Board has

25  power to make new plans.--In the event that the Board of

26  Directors determines that the existing water management system

27  of the District is inadequate to accomplish the purposes set

28  forth in this act, the Board shall proceed to develop and

29  adopt new plans for modifying its surface water management

30  system, assess for benefits, and apportion and levy taxes as

31  follows:


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         (1)  The Board shall cause to be made by the District

  2  engineer, or such other engineers as the Board may employ for

  3  that purpose, complete and comprehensive water management and

  4  control plans for all or a portion of the lands located within

  5  the District that will be improved in any part or in whole by

  6  any system of facilities that may be outlined and adopted, and

  7  the engineer shall make a report in writing to the Board with

  8  maps and profiles of said surveys and an estimate of the cost

  9  of carrying out and completing the plans.

10         (2)  Upon the completion of such plans, the Board shall

11  hold a hearing thereon to hear objections thereto, shall give

12  notice of the time and place fixed for such hearing by

13  publication once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a

14  newspaper of general circulation published in the general area

15  of the District, and shall permit the inspection of the plan

16  at the office of the District by all persons interested. All

17  objections to the plan shall be filed at or before the time

18  fixed in the Notice of Hearing and shall be in writing.

19         (3)  After the hearing, the Board shall consider the

20  proposed plan and any objections thereto and may modify,

21  reject, or adopt the plan or continue the hearings to a day

22  certain for further consideration of the proposed plan or

23  modifications thereof.

24         (4)  When the Board approves a plan, a resolution shall

25  be adopted and a certified copy thereof shall be filed in the

26  office of the secretary and incorporated by him or her into

27  the records of the District.

28         Section 14.  Board may issue bonds; procedures.--The

29  District is authorized to provide from time to time for the

30  issuance of revenue bonds and general obligation bonds of the

31  District to pay all or any part of the cost of a surface water


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  management system, improvements thereto, and any structures

  2  necessary to support said system. The principal of and

  3  interest on any such bonds shall be payable from revenue

  4  sufficient to pay the bond in the manner provided in the bond

  5  by the District, and may be secured by the full faith and

  6  credit and taxing power of the District and payable from ad

  7  valorem taxes levied and collected on all taxable property

  8  within the boundaries of the District in the manner provided

  9  in this act and the resolution authorizing such revenue bonds

10  and all general obligation bonds. Revenue bonds may also be

11  issued and secured by the pledge of special assessments and/or

12  stormwater management user fees levied pursuant to this act.

13  Any bonds which pledge the full faith and credit and ad

14  valorem taxing power of the District shall be submitted to the

15  qualified voters within the boundaries of the District as

16  required by the State Constitution. Said bonds may be

17  authorized by resolution or resolutions of the District, which

18  may be adopted at the same meeting at which they are

19  introduced by a majority of all the members thereof then in

20  office and need not be published or posted. Said bonds shall

21  bear interest at a rate or rates without limitation, except as

22  provided by law, as determined by resolution of the Board, may

23  be in one or more series, may bear such date or dates and may

24  mature at any time or times not exceeding forty (40) years

25  from their respective dates, may be payable in such medium of

26  payment, at such place or places within or without the state,

27  may carry such registration privileges, may be subject to such

28  terms of prior redemption, with or without premium, may be

29  executed in such manner, may contain such terms, covenants,

30  and conditions, and may be in such form otherwise as such

31  resolution or subsequent resolutions shall provide. Said bonds


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  may be sold or exchanged for refunding bonds, or delivered to

  2  contractors in payment for any part of the work or

  3  improvements financed by such bonds, or delivered in exchange

  4  for any properties, either real, personal, or mixed, to be

  5  acquired for such works or improvements, all at a time or in

  6  blocks from time to time, in such manner as the District in

  7  its discretion shall determine. Pending the preparation of the

  8  definitive bonds, interim certificates or receipts or

  9  temporary bonds in such form and with such provisions as the

10  District may determine may be issued to the purchaser or

11  purchasers of the bonds issued hereunder. Said bonds and such

12  interim certificates or receipts or temporary bonds shall be

13  fully negotiable and shall be and constitute negotiable

14  instruments within the meaning of and for all purposes of the

15  law merchant and the uniform commercial code of the state or

16  transferability may be subject to registration. The proceeds

17  of the sale of any such bonds shall be used solely for the

18  payment of the costs of the construction of a surface water

19  management system, any structures necessary to support said

20  system, or the reconstruction or construction or acquisition

21  of extensions, improvements, and additions thereto, and shall

22  be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions as the

23  District may provide in the authorizing resolution. The

24  District may also provide for the replacement of any bonds

25  which become mutilated or are destroyed or lost, upon proper

26  indemnification. A resolution providing for the issuance of

27  revenue bonds or general obligation bonds may also contain

28  such limitations upon the issuance of additional bonds secured

29  on a parity with the bonds theretofore issued, as the District

30  may deem proper, and such additional bonds shall be issued

31  under such authorizing resolution.


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         Section 15.  Bonds issued secured by liens on lands

  2  benefited; assessment and collection of taxes may be

  3  enforced.--All bonds issued by the Board under the provisions

  4  of this act shall be secured by a lien on all lands and other

  5  property benefited, and the Board shall see to it that a tax

  6  and/or assessment is levied annually and collected under the

  7  provisions of this act, so long as it may be necessary to pay

  8  any bond issued or obligation contracted under its authority;

  9  and the making of said assessment and collection may be

10  enforced by mandamus.

11         Section 16.  Collection of stormwater management user

12  fees, assessments, or taxes.--

13         (1)  Annual stormwater management user fees,

14  assessments, or taxes levied under this act shall become due

15  and be collected during each year at the same time that county

16  taxes are due and collected, and said annual levy shall be

17  evidenced to and certified by the Board not later than August

18  31 of each year to the property appraiser of Brevard County.

19  Said fee, assessment, or tax shall be extended by the county

20  property appraisers on the county tax rolls and shall be

21  collected by the tax collectors in the same manner and time as

22  county taxes and the proceeds thereof paid to said District.

23  Said fee, assessment, or tax shall be a lien until paid on the

24  property against which assessed and enforceable in like manner

25  as county taxes.

26         (2)  On the completion of said assessment roll, the

27  Board of Directors shall by resolution fix a time and place at

28  which the owners of the property to be assessed, or any other

29  persons interested therein, may appear before said Board and

30  be heard as to the propriety and advisability of making such

31  improvements or providing said services, as to the cost


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  thereof, as to the amount of payment therefor, and as to the

  2  amount thereof to be assessed against each property so

  3  improved. Notice in writing of such time and place shall be

  4  given to such property owners. Such notice may be given by

  5  placing in the U.S. Postal Service, at least ten (10) days

  6  prior to such hearing, a copy of such notice to each property

  7  owner at his or her last known address, the names and

  8  addresses of such property owners to be obtained from the

  9  records of the county property appraiser or from such other

10  sources the Board deems reliable. The proof of such mailing

11  shall be made by an affidavit of the president of the Board of

12  Directors, said proof to be filed with the minutes of the

13  Board. Failure to mail said notice or notices shall not

14  invalidate any of the proceedings herein. Notice of the time

15  and place of such hearing shall also be given by two (2)

16  publications, a week apart, in a newspaper of general

17  circulation in Brevard County. The last publication shall be

18  at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the hearing. Said

19  notice, which shall be published, shall contain a map showing

20  the general area which will be specially benefited and shall

21  contain the name and the amount to be assessed against each

22  piece or parcel of property.

23         Section 17.  When unpaid fees, assessments, and taxes

24  delinquent; penalty.--All fees, assessments, and taxes

25  provided for in this act shall be due and become delinquent

26  and bear penalties on the amount of said fees, assessments,

27  and taxes in the same manner as county taxes.

28         Section 18.  Property appraisers and tax collectors;

29  compensation; characterization of services.--

30         (1)  The office of the property appraiser of the county

31  where taxes are assessed on the county tax roll by the county


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  property appraiser shall be paid an amount equal to one (1)

  2  percent of the total of taxes of the District assessed within

  3  his or her county, except errors, and one (1) percent on

  4  delinquent taxes when redeemed. The office of the tax

  5  collector of the county shall be paid an amount equal to one

  6  (1) percent of the total of taxes of the District collected,

  7  and one (1) percent upon delinquent taxes when collected.

  8         (2)  The services of the offices of the property

  9  appraiser and tax collector in assessing and collecting such

10  District taxes are hereby declared to be special services

11  performed directly for the District, and any payment therefor

12  shall not be considered a part of the general income of the

13  office nor come under the provisions of section 116.03,

14  Florida Statutes. The personnel required to do said special

15  work shall be paid for such special services from the receipts

16  provided in subsection (1).

17         Section 19.  Fees, assessments, and taxes and costs a

18  lien on land against which fees, assessments, and taxes

19  levied.--All fees, assessments, and taxes provided for in this

20  act, together with all penalties for default in payment of the

21  same, all costs in collecting the same, including a reasonable

22  attorney's fee fixed by the court and taxed as costs in the

23  action brought to enforce payment, shall, from the date of

24  assessment of same until paid, constitute a lien of equal

25  dignity with the liens for state and county taxes, and other

26  taxes of equal dignity with state and county taxes, upon all

27  the lands against which such fees, assessments, and taxes

28  shall be levied as is provided in this act.

29         Section 20.  District fees, assessments, and taxes;

30  delinquent; discounts, etc.--The collection and enforcement of

31  all fees, assessments, and taxes levied by said District shall


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  be at the same time and in like manner as county taxes, and

  2  the provisions of the Florida Statutes relating to the sale of

  3  lands for unpaid and delinquent county taxes, the issuance,

  4  sale, and delivery of tax certificates for such unpaid and

  5  delinquent county taxes, the redemption thereof, the issuance

  6  to individuals of tax deeds based thereon, and all other

  7  procedures in connection therewith shall be applicable to said

  8  District and the delinquent and unpaid taxes of said District

  9  to the same extent as if said statutory provisions were

10  expressly set forth in this act. All fees, assessments, and

11  taxes shall be subject to the same discounts as county taxes.

12         Section 21.  Lands may be acquired for rights-of-way

13  and other purposes.--The District may acquire by gift,

14  purchase, exchange, donation, or condemnation any lands within

15  or without the said District for canal rights-of-way or for

16  other general purposes of the said District, and if acquired

17  by condemnation, the procedure shall be as prescribed in

18  chapters 73 and 74 of the Florida Statutes.

19         Section 22.  Obstruction of drainage canals, etc.,

20  prohibited; damages; civil and criminal penalties.--No person

21  may willfully, or otherwise, obstruct any canal, drain, ditch,

22  or watercourse or damage or destroy any surface water

23  management facility within the District boundaries.

24         (1)  Any person who shall willfully obstruct any canal,

25  drain, ditch, or watercourse or shall damage or destroy any

26  water control or management facility constructed by the

27  District shall be liable to any person injured thereby for the

28  full amount of the injury occasioned to any land or other

29  property by reason of such misconduct, and shall be liable to

30  the District constructing the said work for double the cost of

31  removing such obstruction or repairing such damage.


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1         (2)  Whoever shall willfully or otherwise obstruct any

  2  canal, drain, ditch, or watercourse, or impede or obstruct the

  3  flow of water therein, or shall damage or destroy any water

  4  control facility existing within the District boundaries,

  5  shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree as

  6  provided in sections 775.082 and 775.083, Florida Statutes,

  7  and punishable as provided therein.

  8         Section 23.  Modifications.--Any individual,

  9  corporation, or governmental entity within the boundaries of

10  the District is prohibited from undertaking any permanent

11  modification, alteration, or improvement to the surface water

12  management system as they drain into the works of the District

13  without the approval of the District. The District shall

14  approve or disapprove any request for approval within 60 days

15  after the receipt of such request and adequate information to

16  evaluate the specific request.

17         Section 24.  Expanded functions.--The Board of

18  Directors may request that the function of the District be

19  expanded. Said expanded functions shall be provided for by

20  special act of the Legislature.

21         Section 25.  District boundaries.--The Board of

22  Directors of the District may expand or contract the

23  boundaries of the District or merge with another District by

24  special act of the Legislature.

25         Section 26.  Legislative intent.--It is the intent of

26  the Legislature that the authority created by this act is a

27  dependent special district within the definition of section

28  200.001(8)(d), Florida Statutes, and not an independent

29  special district within the provisions of section 190.049,

30  Florida Statutes, and sections 165.031(5) and 200.001(8)(e),

31  Florida Statutes, or any other applicable provision of general


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  law. In recognition of such legislative intent, it is hereby

  2  declared that the provisions of section 190.049, Florida

  3  Statutes, and sections 165.022 and 165.041, Florida Statutes,

  4  or any other applicable provision of general law shall not be

  5  construed or interpreted to prohibit or restrict the creation

  6  of the District by special law. Pursuant to the language of

  7  section 200.001(8)(d), Florida Statutes, it is the intent of

  8  the Legislature that the millage of the District shall be

  9  included in the millage computation of Brevard County as

10  provided by law.

11         Section 27.  Suits against the District.--Any suit or

12  action brought or maintained against the District for damages

13  arising out of tort, including, without limitation, any claim

14  arising upon account of an act causing an injury or loss of

15  property, personal injury, or death, shall be subject to the

16  limitations provided in section 768.26, Florida Statutes, and

17  this act.

18         Section 28.  Exemption of District property from

19  execution.--All District property shall be exempt from levy

20  and sale by virtue of an execution, and no execution or other

21  judicial process shall issue against such property except as

22  may be provided for in other sections of the Florida Statutes,

23  nor shall any judgment against the District be a charge or

24  lien on its property or revenues; however, nothing contained

25  herein shall apply to or limit the rights of bondholders to

26  pursue any remedy for the enforcement of any lien or pledge

27  given by the District in connection with any of the bonds or

28  obligations of the District.

29         Section 29.  Reservation of rights and obligations.--It

30  is the express intent of this act to preserve and transfer

31  over to the District created by this act simultaneously with


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  the effective date any and all causes of action, suits,

  2  claims, counter-claims, demands, contracts, moneys due or

  3  owed, liens, agreements, rights, judgments, and settlements

  4  which the prior district had or has against all persons,

  5  firms, or corporations or which any and all persons, firms, or

  6  corporations may have against the prior district operating

  7  under chapter 298, Florida Statutes. The District shall

  8  recognize permits previously approved by the Melbourne-Tillman

  9  Water Control District, as well as those which have been or

10  will be approved by the District prior to October 1, 1986,

11  provided construction has commenced on the permitted facility

12  in accordance with those plans and specifications and further

13  that construction has begun prior to October 1, 1991.

14         Section 30.  When any reference herein is made to any

15  gender, such reference shall be deemed to include either

16  masculine, feminine, or neuter, as appropriate, and any

17  reference herein to any number shall be deemed to include both

18  singular and plural where the context of this act shall permit

19  or require.

20         Section 31.  (1)  The purpose of this section is to

21  encourage Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District to make

22  available land to the public for outdoor recreational purposes

23  by limiting its liability to persons going thereon and to

24  third persons who may be damaged by the acts or omissions of

25  persons going thereon.

26         (2)  Except as provided in subsection (4), if the

27  District provides the public with land for outdoor

28  recreational purposes, or allows access to District lands for

29  outdoor recreational purposes, it owes no duty of care to keep

30  the land safe for entry or use by others or to give warnings

31  to persons entering or going on such land of any hazardous


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  conditions, structures, or activities thereon. The District,

  2  when providing land for outdoor recreational purposes, does

  3  not, by providing that land, extend any assurance that such

  4  land is safe for any purpose, does not incur any duty of care

  5  toward a person who goes on the land, and is not responsible

  6  for any injury to persons or property caused by an act or

  7  omission of a person who goes on that land. This subsection

  8  does not apply if there is any charge made or usually made for

  9  entering or using the land, or if any commercial or other

10  activity from which profit is derived from the patronage of

11  the public is conducted on any such land or any part thereof.

12         (3)(a)  Except as provided in subsection (4), if the

13  District leases any land to any other governmental entity for

14  outdoor recreational purposes, or enters into a joint use

15  agreement of any kind, or provides access for outdoor

16  recreational purposes, the District owes no duty of care to

17  keep that land safe for entry or use by others or to give

18  warning to persons entering or going on that land of any

19  hazardous conditions, structures, or activities thereon. If

20  the District leases or enters into a joint use or similar

21  agreement regarding any of its land with any other

22  governmental entity for outdoor recreational purposes, the

23  District does not, by giving such lease or agreement, extend

24  any assurance that such land is safe for any purpose, incur

25  any duty of care toward a person who goes on the leased land

26  or land subject to the joint use or similar agreement, and is

27  not responsible for any injury to persons or property caused

28  by any act or omission of a person who goes on the land

29  subject to any lease or joint use or similar agreement.

30         (b)  This subsection applies to any person going on the

31  leased land or land subject to a joint use or similar


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                                      HB 1115, First Engrossed/ntc



  1  agreement, irrespective of whether the person goes as an

  2  invitee, licensee, or trespasser or in any other capacity.

  3         (4)  This section does not relieve the District of any

  4  liability that would otherwise exist for gross negligence or a

  5  deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to a person or

  6  property. This section does not create or increase the

  7  liability of the District or person beyond that which is

  8  authorized by section 768.28, Florida Statutes.

  9         (5)  The term "outdoor recreational purposes," as used

10  herein, includes bicycling, hiking, and canoeing or activities

11  similar thereto.

12         Section 4.  In the event any section or provision of

13  this act is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such

14  determination shall not affect the validity of or

15  enforceability of each other section and provision of this

16  act.

17         Section 5.  In the event of a conflict of the

18  provisions of this act with the provisions of any other act

19  the provisions of this act shall control to the extent of such

20  conflict.

21         Section 6.  Chapters 86-418, 90-401, 91-341, 92-239,

22  and 94-424, Laws of Florida, are repealed.

23         Section 7.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

24  law.

25

26

27

28

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.