HB 1625

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the Ave Maria Stewardship Community
3District, Collier County; providing a popular name;
4creating the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District;
5providing for findings, determinations, ascertainments,
6intent, purpose, definitions, and policy; creating the
7charter of the District; providing for authority and
8jurisdiction; creating the District as a special, limited,
9and single-purpose independent district, an independent
10local government and corporate body politic, to provide
11community development infrastructure to the Ave Maria
12community development in that certain portion of the
13unincorporated area of the Collier County political
14subdivision within and subject to the Growth Management
15Plan and the Rural Lands Stewardship Area Zoning Overlay
16District in Eastern Collier County; prescribing and fixing
17the boundaries of the District; providing for election of
18a Board of Supervisors and terms of office and powers and
19duties thereof; requiring certain financial reports;
20providing for disclosure of public financing information;
21authorizing and providing for the levy and collection of
22taxes; authorizing special powers relating to water
23management and control, roads and bridges, and other
24public facilities; providing for the issuance of bonds and
25short-term borrowing; providing procedures for competitive
26procurement of goods, supplies, and materials; providing
27for enforcement of provisions of the Act and providing
28penalties for violation thereof; providing for the
29applicability of provisions of chapter 189, Florida
30Statutes, and other general laws; providing for
31severability; providing an effective date.
32
33Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
34
35     Section 1.  Popular name.--This Act may be known by the
36popular name the "Ave Maria Stewardship Community District Act."
37     Section 2.  Preamble.--Legislative findings,
38ascertainments, determinations, intent, purpose, definitions,
39and policy.--
40     (1)  Legislative findings.--
41     (a)  The eastern area of unincorporated Collier County is
42unique and special with natural resources that need protection
43and with the need to retain a viable agricultural system while
44protecting private property rights and promoting a sound
45economy.
46     (b)  Collier County, with the approval of the Governor and
47members of the Cabinet, sitting as the Florida Land and Water
48Adjudicatory Commission, established a designated Rural Lands
49Stewardship Area Zoning Overlay District in order to implement
50an innovative, specialized, and incentive-based Collier County
51Rural Lands Stewardship Area Overlay as part of the Collier
52County Growth Management Plan.
53     (c)  In implementing both protection of natural resources
54and retention of viable agriculture, the Rural Lands Stewardship
55Area District Overlay promotes compact rural mixed-used
56development as an alternative to low-density single use
57development and establishes a system of generating Stewardship
58Credits in a designated Stewardship Sending Area and
59transferring them to a designated Stewardship Receiving Area
60within which new town communities may be created and developed
61with a full range of housing types and a full mix of uses with
62urban level services and infrastructure which support
63specialized development that is compact, mixed-use, human-scale,
64and balances land uses to reduce automobile trips and to
65increase livability.
66     (d)  This comprehensive system anticipates new land uses to
67include unincorporated new town community development and the
68related highly specialized provision of basic infrastructure
69systems, facilities, and services.
70     (e)  Barron Collier Company has made available
71approximately 905 acres to the Ave Maria University Foundation
72for the institution and operation of a private university known
73as Ave Maria University with a full slate of undergraduate,
74graduate, and professional programs with related cultural,
75recreational, and other activities, benefits, and programs for
76providing teaching, research, and public service to southwest
77Florida, the State of Florida, and the nation.
78     (f)  The initial landowners also own, immediately and
79adjacent to and surrounding the Ave Maria University, lands upon
80which they are building a university-oriented new town community
81consistent with the Collier County Growth Management Plan and
82Land Development Code.
83     (g)  Within and subject to this the Growth Management Plan
84and Land Development Code and its Rural and Stewardship Area
85Zoning Overlay District within a designated Stewardship
86Receiving Area, the new town community surrounding the private
87university requires appropriate compact, balanced, and rural
88mixed-use development at a human scale with the required
89innovative balance of such importance to the Stewardship Overlay
90Area.
91     (h)  In particular:
92     1.  Creating a university new town community in the
93Stewardship Overlay Area of Eastern Collier County requires a
94critical coinciding of existing and future land use with
95provision of capital facilities and related systems and
96services, based upon timely, flexible, and specialized
97management of critical factors and sequential events, balancing
98between the interests of private enterprise, agriculture,
99private citizens, taxpayers, consumers, the environment, the
100economy, the initial landowners, and all applicable levels of
101government.
102     2.  As evidenced by the Stewardship Overlay Program, all
103the applicable public and private persons and entities have
104invested and expended substantial time and moneys to generate
105both the Stewardship Overlay Area portions of the Growth
106Management Plan and the existing and future consistent specific
107regulatory and comprehensive planning entitlements and
108consistent land development regulations for the identification,
109preparation, and development of a new town community.
110     3.  Creating such a new town community around the
111university and using a single special purpose independent
112district constitute innovative planning and flexible development
113strategies pursuant to section 163.3177(11), Florida Statutes,
114as amended from time to time, and Rule 9J-5.006(5)(l), Florida
115Administrative Code, as amended from time to time, to minimize
116the conversion of rural and agricultural lands to other uses to
117discourage urban sprawl and to protect environmentally sensitive
118areas, while maintaining the economic viability of agricultural
119and other predominately rural land uses and providing for the
120cost-efficient delivery of public facilities and services as
121provided expressly in the Rural Lands Stewardship Area Land
122Development Regulations, section 2.2.27.10.C.
123     (i)  There is in particular a special need to use a
124specialized and limited single-purpose independent special
125district unit of local government for the Ave Maria Community:
126     1.  To prevent urban sprawl by providing, sustaining, and
127supporting freestanding infrastructure and by preventing
128needless and counterproductive community development when the
129existing urban area is not yet developed.
130     2.  To prevent the needless duplication, fragmentation, and
131proliferation of local government services in a proposed land
132use area.
133     (j)  Management of conservation, environmental,
134agricultural, and economic challenges and opportunities in this
135area of Eastern Collier County transcends the boundaries and
136responsibilities of both private landowners and individual units
137of government so that no one single public or private entity or
138person can plan or implement policies to deal with the many
139issues which attend the provision of basis systems, facilities,
140and services to the area to be managed in Eastern Collier County
141in order to provide for both a new university and a new town
142academic community in the Stewardship area.
143     (k)  It is the expressed set of findings of the Legislature
144further that:
145     1.  There is a considerably long period of time during
146which there is an inordinate burden on the initial landowners of
147both the land area for the private Ave Maria University and its
148surrounding new town university community because of the
149innovative, special, and unique requirements in the Growth
150Management Plan for the Stewardship Receiving Area that deal
151specifically with flexible management and related sequencing,
152timing, and financing of the various systems, facilities, and
153services to be provided to the new town community and that take
154into consideration absorption rates, commercial viability, and
155related factors.
156     2.  Even as the community matures, there is a continuing
157need for landowners, both initial and subsequent, to bear
158burdens that remain relatively inordinate in order to preserve
159such benefits for Eastern Collier County as the unique
160environmental and economic purpose of the new town community in
161this Stewardship Receiving Area.
162     3.  Longer involvement of the initial landowner with regard
163to the provision of basic systems, facilities, and services in
164the Rural Lands Stewardship Overlay, coupled with a severely
165limited and highly specialized single purpose of the District,
166is in the public interest.
167     4.  Any public or private system to provide basic
168infrastructure improvements, systems, facilities, and services
169to this new Ave Maria community in the Stewardship Overlay Area
170of Eastern Collier County must be focused on an unfettered,
171highly specialized, innovative, responsive, and accountable
172mechanism to provide the components of infrastructure at
173sustained levels of high quality over the long term only when
174and as needed for such a unique community in such a unique area.
175     5.  There is a critical need to maintain such provision of
176such systems, facilities, and services to the Ave Maria
177community because of the unique location and attributes of the
178Stewardship Overlay Area, coupled with the unique purpose and
179location of this new academic community, subject to, and not
180inconsistent with, the state, regional, and local requirements
181which attend implementation of the state plan, the Stewardship
182Overlay for the Stewardship Receiving Area, and the Collier
183County Growth Management Plan.
184     6.  This need is met by coinciding the use and special
185attributes of various public and private alternatives for the
186provision of infrastructure to such a community development,
187including:
188     a.  The public policy and related implementing zoning,
189permitting, and planning expertise, interests, and capabilities
190of state and regional government and of the Collier County
191general purpose local government;
192     b.  The flexible, limited, focused, and locally accountable
193management and related financing capabilities of independent
194special purpose local government; and
195     c.  The innovative development and marketing private sector
196expertise of the initial landowners, developers, and other
197components of private enterprise;
198     7.  The specialized financing and revenue procedures for
199the levy and imposition of first-lien assessments, by a variety
200of names, must be disclosed, followed, noticed, fair,
201nonarbitrary, informed, reasonable, and accountable and that
202they must be set forth dispositively.
203     (l)  That the existence and use of such a limited
204specialized single purpose local government for the Ave Maria
205community, subject both to the Rural Lands Stewardship Overlay
206Area District and to the Collier County Growth Management Plan,
207will result in a high propensity:
208     1.  To prevent urban sprawl, protect and to preserve
209environmental, conservation, and agricultural uses and assets
210and to enhance the high quality use of the applicable
211Stewardship Receiving Area.
212     2.  To enhance the market value for both present and future
213landowners of the property consistent with the need to protect
214private property rights in the Stewardship Overlay.
215     3.  To enhance the net economic benefit to the Collier
216County area, including an enhanced and well maintained tax base
217to the benefit of all present and future taxpayers in Collier
218County.
219     4.  To share the costs for providing such basic systems,
220facilities and services in an innovative, sequential, and
221flexible manner within the Ave Maria new town community to be
222serviced by the Stewardship Community District.
223     (2)  Ascertainments.--Based upon these findings, the
224Legislature has learned and ascertains:
225     (a)  There are two public government alternatives and one
226private alternative available to plan, construct, maintain, and
227finance the provision of systems, facilities, and services in
228and subject to the Stewardship Overlay:
229     1.  One of the public or governmental alternatives is by
230the Board of County Commissioners within the Collier County
231political subdivision which can provide certain basic systems,
232facilities, and services directly, or with management by its
233staff with financing through either a municipal service taxing
234unit for ad valorem taxes or municipal service benefit for
235assessments, or indirectly, by nonemergency ordinance use of a
236dependent district.
237     2.  The second public alternative is use of an independent
238special district.
239     3.  The private alternative is the private landowner, a
240private homeowners' association, a private utility, a private
241business corporation or partnership, or a combination of these
242various private alternatives.
243     (b)  Planning, permitting, and creating the Ave Maria
244University new town community and using the independent
245specialized single purpose Ave Maria Stewardship Community
246District created by this Act are consistent with and implement
247both the Collier County Growth Management Plan and Land
248Development Code and also the following long-standing and
249expressed policies of the state:
250     1.  To allow the creation of independent special taxing
251districts which have uniform general law standards and
252procedures and which do not overburden other local governments
253and their taxpayers while preventing the proliferation of
254independent special taxing districts which do not meet the
255standards set forth in section 187.201(20)(b)2., Florida
256Statutes.
257     2.  To encourage the development of local water supplies,
258pursuant to section 187.201(7)(b)3., Florida Statutes.
259     3.  To recognize the existence of legitimate and often
260competing public and private interests and land use regulations
261and other government action, pursuant to section 187.201(14)(a),
262Florida Statutes, as provided for expressly in the Stewardship
263Overlay Program.
264     4.  Consistent with the Stewardship Overlay Program, to
265recognize the importance of preserving natural resources and
266enhancing quality of life by development in those areas where
267land and water resources, fiscal abilities, and service capacity
268can accommodate the land use and growth in a manner that is
269environmentally acceptable, pursuant to section 187.201(15)(a),
270Florida Statutes.
271     5.  To allocate costs of new public facilities on the basis
272of benefits received by existing and future residents while
273planning for the management and financing of new facilities to
274serve residents in a timely, orderly, and efficient manner,
275pursuant to section 187.201(17)(a) and (b)3., Florida Statutes.
276     6.  To encourage local government financial self-
277sufficiency in providing public facilities and in identifying
278and implementing physically sound, innovative, and cost-
279effective techniques to provide and finance public facilities
280while encouraging development, use, and coordination of capital
281improvement plans by all levels of government, pursuant to
282section (17)(b)5., 6., and 7., Florida Statutes, and as provided
283in the Stewardship Overlay Program.
284     7.  To increase access to, and to promote and provide
285access for, cultural, historical and educational resources and
286opportunities, pursuant to section 187.201(18)(a) and (b)1.,
287Florida Statutes.
288     8.  To enhance and diversify the economy of the Collier
289County area by promoting partnerships among education, business,
290industry, agriculture, and the arts, provide opportunities for
291training skilled employees for new and expanding businesses, and
292promote self-sufficiency through training and educational
293programs that result in productive employment pursuant to
294section 187.201(21)(a) and (b)6., 7., and 8., Florida Statutes.
295     9.  To encourage and to enhance cooperation among
296communities that have unique assets, irrespective of political
297boundaries, to bring the private and public sectors together for
298establishing an orderly, environmentally, and economically sound
299plan for current and future needs and growth, pursuant to
300section 187.201(b)8., Florida Statutes.
301     10.  To create independent special districts by or pursuant
302to general law to ensure long-term management and related
303financing, to meet the need in Florida for timely, efficient,
304effective, responsive, innovative, accountable, focused, and
305economical ways to deliver basic services to new communities to
306solve the state's planning, management, and financing needs for
307delivery of capital infrastructure in order in turn to provide
308for projected growth only and to do so without overburdening
309other governments and their taxpayers, pursuant to section
310189.402, Florida Statutes, so that providing to the Ave Maria
311community basic systems, facilities, and services by independent
312special districts remains pursuant to uniform general law and
313section 189.402(3)(a) and (c), Florida Statutes.
314     11.  To ensure that those independent districts and the
315exercise of their powers are consistent and comply with
316applicable due process, disclosure, accountability, ethics, and
317government-in-the-sunshine requirements of law, both to the
318independent districts and to their elected and appointed
319officials, pursuant to section 189.402(3)(b), Florida Statutes,
320because independent special districts are a legitimate
321alternative method available for use by both the public and
322private sectors to manage, own, operate, construct, and finance
323basic capital infrastructure systems, facilities, and services,
324pursuant to section 189.402(4)(a), Florida Statutes.
325     12.  To ensure that an independent special district is
326created to serve a special purpose to cooperate and to
327coordinate its activities with the applicable general purpose
328local government because aspects of growth and development
329transcend boundaries and responsibilities of individual units of
330government so that no single unit of government can plan or
331implement policies to deal with these issues unilaterally as
332effectively, pursuant to section 189.402(7) and (8), Florida
333Statutes.
334     (c)  Construction and operation of the Ave Maria
335University, the development of the new town university
336community, and the use of the special and single purpose
337independent district are not inconsistent with the Collier
338County Comprehensive Plan and the requirements of the
339Stewardship Overlay and implement both.
340     (d)  This land area for the private university and its new
341town community requires an independent, special, and single
342purpose local government, in the form of an independent special
343district as defined in section 189.403(3), Florida Statutes,
344subject to all substantive and procedural limitations under
345Florida law, including this Act, in order to constitute the
346highly specialized alternative and viable growth management
347mechanism appropriate for this unique Stewardship Overlay
348available to both the private and public sectors.
349     (e)  Such a District requires timely, flexible, limited,
350and specialized management and related financing capabilities
351under its uniform state charter, created by this Act pursuant to
352general law, in order to produce those flexible, innovative, and
353highly specialized benefits to the new town university community
354property in the Stewardship Receiving Area and to the
355Stewardship Overlay in Eastern Collier County.
356     (f)  Such a District must have management capabilities to
357provide pinpointed, focused, accountable, responsive, limited,
358specialized, and low-overhead-based capability, authority, and
359power to provide basic systems, facilities, and services to the
360new university community development with economies of scale but
361at sustained high levels of quality over the long term.
362     (g)  In order to be responsive to the critical timing
363required through the exercise of its special management
364functions, an independent district requires financing of those
365functions, including bondable lienable and non-lienable revenue,
366with full and continuing public disclosure and accountability,
367funded by landowners, both present and future, and funded also
368by users of the systems, facilities, and services provided to
369the land area by the District, without burdening the taxpayers
370and citizens of the state, of Collier County, or any
371municipality in Collier County.
372     (h)  The provision of services by this independent district
373must implement, be subject to, and function not inconsistent
374with, any applicable provisions of the Stewardship Overlay Area
375and related permitting and planning requirements of Collier
376County and of the Collier County Comprehensive Plan and Land
377Development Code.
378     (i)  The creation, existence, and operation of the Ave
379Maria Stewardship Community District, as limited and specialized
380to its single narrow purpose, will also:
381     1.  Constitute a public mechanism to translate the anti-
382urban-sprawl requirements of the Stewardship Overlay into
383reality;
384     2.  Constitute a disincentive for premature or
385inappropriate municipal incorporation consistent with state law.
386     3.  Provide a mechanism for full and continuing disclosure
387of how basic systems, facilities, and services are both managed
388and financed, including full and continuing disclosure to both
389prospective purchasers and all residents of public financing
390related to any burdens of land ownership and any related burdens
391on existing or future residents.
392     4.  Implement Rural Land Stewardship Area Zoning Overlay
393District Regulation, section 2.2.27.10.L.4. because such an
394independent single purpose special district is encouraged in the
395Stewardship Receiving Area where the new town community and
396university are located.
397     (j)  The Ave Maria Stewardship Community District is also a
398mechanism to implement the Collier County Concurrency Management
399System designed to coincide with, and to implement, both the
400Collier County future land use element and the capital
401improvements element for basic systems, facilities, and services
402consistent with the best interests of the Ave Maria community in
403the Stewardship Overlay.
404     (k)  By serving its single specialized purpose, the
405District will not result in needless proliferation, duplication,
406and fragmentation of local government systems, facilities, and
407services in this area of Eastern Collier County.
408     (l)  Subject to its substantive and procedural limitations,
409the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District will assist
410directly in public and combined public and private planning and
411coordination in order to achieve innovative solutions to the
412needs and requirements in this unique academic new town
413community located in this Stewardship Overlay Area of Eastern
414Collier County.
415     (m)  Management of the timing and phasing of critical
416sequential events, coordinated by the initial private landowner,
417the private university, and the Board of County Commissioners of
418Collier County is of fundamental importance and is the basis of
419the inordinate burden on the initial landowner developer and on
420the private university to enhance the Stewardship Overlay and to
421implement its requirements.
422     (n)  The critical single purpose of the Ave Maria
423Stewardship Community District to provide basic infrastructure
424systems, facilities, services, works, and improvements to the
425private Ave Maria university new town community is in the public
426interest because it:
427     1.  Does not pass on taxes or profits to purchasers of
428property or to landowners and residents within their
429jurisdictions;
430     2.  Decreases the tendency toward short-term planning,
431construction, and management considerations because the
432elections for members of the government board are staggered;
433     3.  Is not influenced, guided, or limited by quarterly and
434annual profit statements;
435     4.  Does not have police or regulatory powers;
436     5.  Does not have larger general purpose overhead
437responsibilities;
438     6.  Is not subject to legitimate but countervailing fiscal,
439economic, policy, and political considerations to which large
440general-purpose local governments and large landowners and
441developers would be subject in the natural course of events.
442     7.  Does not constitute needless duplication,
443proliferation, or fragmentation of local government systems,
444facilities, and services in Collier County;
445     8.  Shall operate and function subject to and not
446inconsistent with the county comprehensive plan and not
447inconsistent with, but rather shall enhance the purpose and
448requirements of, the Rural Lands Stewardship Overlay with the
449least overhead cost and the highest amount of public disclosure,
450accountability, responsiveness, and productivity.
451     9.  Coincides its functions with the authority and best
452interests of general purpose local government, the private
453university, the private landowners, both present and future, the
454taxpayers, the future residents, and the state in the provision
455of needed infrastructure to the community at sustained levels of
456quality over the long term.
457     10.  Provides highly accountable innovative systems,
458facilities, and services close to the land and close to the
459people to constitute expressly the stewardship of the lands of
460the new community within and subject to the Stewardship Overlay
461Area in Eastern Collier County and within its jurisdiction;
462     11.  Serves a land area that is amenable to separate
463special district government.
464     12.  Serves a land area that is sufficiently compact and of
465size sufficient for the functionally interrelated Ave Maria new
466town community development.
467     13.  Serves a land area in which there is no existing local
468or regional system, facility, or service with which creation and
469operation of this District and the provision of its systems,
470facilities, improvements, and infrastructure would be
471incompatible.
472     14.  Will enhance the intrinsic value of the property and
473the new community development, for the purpose of the
474Stewardship Overlay, and be a sustaining source of public
475revenue.
476     (o)  The independent district charter created in this Act
477involves innovative general and special powers not otherwise
478available for this unique and highly specialized first ever
479academic Ave Maria new town community in such a unique multi-
480faceted Rural Lands Stewardship Overlay.
481     (p)  The minimum requirements of general law or creation of
482this District by special act have been met as confirmed and set
483forth expressly in section 3(1).
484     (3)  Determinations.--Based upon its findings and
485ascertainments, the Legislature states expressly and determines:
486     (a)  This Act represents the findings, ascertainments, and
487determinations of the Legislature that creating the Ave Maria
488Stewardship Community District, by special act, pursuant to
489general law, is the best alternative as required by section
490189.404(2)(e)3., Florida Statutes, because it meets
491affirmatively the findings and ascertainments of this
492Legislature set forth in this section.
493     (b)  The creation by this Act of the Ave Maria Stewardship
494Community District in the Stewardship Overlay Area of Collier
495County is consistent affirmatively with the Collier County local
496government comprehensive plan.
497     (c)  The authority for this Act is pursuant to section
498189.404, Florida Statutes, and the State Comprehensive Plan
499pursuant to section 187.201, Florida Statutes.
500     (d)  The Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
501on October 28, 2003, adopted Resolution 2003-381, expressing no
502objection to the creation and establishment of the Ave Maria
503University Stewardship Community District and finding it
504consistent with the Collier County local government
505comprehensive plan as provided in section 189.404(a)(e)4.,
506Florida Statutes.
507     (4)  Intent.--Based upon its findings, ascertainments, and
508determinations, the Legislature expresses its intent:
509     (a)  To ensure that the creation and operation of the Ave
510Maria Stewardship Community District by and pursuant to this
511Act, exercising its management and related financing powers to
512implement its limited, single, and special purpose, is not a
513development order and does not trigger or invoke any provision
514within the meaning of chapter 380, Florida Statutes, and all
515applicable governmental planning, environmental, and land
516development laws, regulations, rules, policies, and ordinances
517apply to all development of the land within the jurisdiction of
518the District as created by this Act.
519     (b)  That the District operate and function subject to, and
520not inconsistent with, the Collier County Growth Management Plan
521and Land Development Code and any applicable development orders,
522zoning regulations, or other land development regulations.
523     (c)  That under this Act this special and single purpose
524Ave Maria Stewardship Community District shall not have the
525power of a general purpose local government to adopt a
526comprehensive plan or related land development regulation as
527those terms are defined in the Florida Local Government
528Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act.
529     (d)  That the charter for this District in the Act is
530exclusive and may be amended only by the Legislature by
531subsequent special act.  Any certain proposed amendment of this
532Act which deals specifically, expressly, and only with section
5332(4)(a), (b), and (c) shall not be considered by the Legislature
534unless it is accompanied by a resolution of support by the
535Collier County Board of County Commissioners provided that any
536other amendment on any other subject or provision dealing with
537any subject or provision in this Act does not require such
538resolution.
539     (e)  That the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District
540created by this Act constitutes an innovative mechanism for
541long-term, sustained, quality public stewardship through the
542planning, implementation, construction, management, and related
543financing, of basic systems, facilities, services and
544infrastructure projects for the mixed-use new town academic
545community.
546     (f)  That, it is in the public interest that this limited,
547independent, specialized, and single-purpose District have
548perpetual existence subject only to legislative review as
549provided in its charter as created by this Act so that it is not
550in a position to outlive its usefulness.
551     (g)  That the exercise by this Ave Maria Stewardship
552Community District of its powers to carry out its single purpose
553under its charter as created by this Act is consistent with
554applicable due process, disclosure, accountability, ethics,
555conflicts of laws, government in the sunshine, competitive
556procurement, including the employees of consultants, competitive
557negotiation, and competitive bidding, both as to the government
558entity itself and as to its appointed or elected officials as
559required in this Act.
560     (5)  Purpose.--The limited, single, and specialized purpose
561of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District is to provide
562community development systems, facilities, services, projects,
563improvements, and infrastructure to the Ave Maria community by
564exercising its various management powers, with related financing
565powers, both general and special, as set forth by and limited by
566its charter as created by this Act.
567     (6)  Definitions.--As used in this Act:
568     (a)  "Ad valorem bonds" means bonds which are payable from
569the proceeds of ad valorem taxes levied on real and tangible
570personal property and which are generally referred to as general
571obligation bonds.
572     (b)  "Assessable improvements" means, without limitation,
573any and all public improvements and community facilities that
574the District is empowered to provide in accordance with this
575Act, that provide a special benefit to property within the
576District.
577     (c)  "Assessment bonds" means special obligations of the
578District which are payable solely from proceeds of the special
579assessments or benefit special assessments levied for assessable
580improvements, provided that, in lieu of issuing assessment bonds
581to fund the costs of assessable improvements, the District may
582issue revenue bonds for such purposes payable from special
583assessments.
584     (d)  "Assessments" means those nonmillage District
585assessments which include special assessments, benefit special
586assessments, and maintenance special assessments and a
587nonmillage, non-ad valorem maintenance tax if authorized by
588general law.
589     (e)  "Ave Maria Stewardship Community District" means the
590unit of special and single purpose local government created and
591chartered by this Act, including the creation of its charter,
592and limited to the performance, in implementing its single
593purpose, of those general and special powers authorized by its
594charter under this Act, the boundaries of which are set forth by
595the Act, the governing head of which is created and authorized
596to operate with legal existence by this Act, and the purpose of
597which is as set forth in this Act.
598     (f)  "Benefit special assessments" are District assessments
599imposed, levied, and collected pursuant to the provisions of
600section 4(14)(b).
601     (g)  "Board of Supervisors" or "board" means the governing
602board of the District or, if such board has been abolished, the
603board, body, or commission assuming the principal functions
604thereof or to whom the powers given to the board by this Act
605have been given by law.
606     (h)  "Bond" includes "certificate," and the provisions that
607are applicable to bonds are equally applicable to certificates.
608The term "bond" includes any general obligation bond, assessment
609bond, refunding bond, revenue bond, and other such obligation in
610the nature of a bond as is provided for in this Act.
611     (i)  "Developed urban area" means any reasonably compact
612urban area.
613     (j)  "Cost" or "costs," when used with reference to any
614project, includes, but is not limited to:
615     1.  The expenses of determining the feasibility or
616practicability of acquisition, construction, or reconstruction.
617     2.  The cost of surveys, estimates, plans, and
618specifications.
619     3.  The cost of improvements.
620     4.  Engineering, fiscal, and legal expenses and charges.
621     5.  The cost of all labor, materials, machinery, and
622equipment.
623     6.  The cost of all lands, properties, rights, easements,
624and franchises acquired.
625     7.  Financing charges.
626     8.  The creation of initial reserve and debt service funds.
627     9.  Working capital.
628     10.  Interest charges incurred or estimated to be incurred
629on money borrowed prior to and during construction and
630acquisition and for such reasonable period of time after
631completion of construction or acquisition as the board may
632determine.
633     11.  The cost of issuance of bonds pursuant to this Act,
634including advertisements and printing.
635     12.  The cost of any bond or tax referendum held pursuant
636to this Act and all other expenses of issuance of bonds.
637     13.  The discount, if any, on the sale or exchange of
638bonds.
639     14.  Administrative expenses.
640     15.  Such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental
641to the acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of any
642project, or to the financing thereof, or to the development of
643any lands within the District.
644     16.  Payments, contributions, dedications, and any other
645exactions required as a condition of receiving any government
646approval or permit necessary to accomplish any District purpose.
647     (k)  "District" means the Ave Maria Stewardship Community
648District.
649     (l)  "District manager" means the manager of the District.
650     (m)  "District roads" means highways, streets, roads,
651alleys, sidewalks, landscaping, storm drains, bridges, and
652thoroughfares of all kinds.
653     (n)  "General obligation bonds" means bonds which are
654secured by, or provide for their payment by, the pledge of the
655full faith and credit and taxing power of the District, in
656addition to those special taxes levied for their discharge and
657such other sources as may be provided for their payment or
658pledged as security under the resolution authorizing their
659issuance, and for payment of which recourse may be had against
660the general fund of the District.
661     (o)  "Governing board member" means any member of the Board
662of Supervisors.
663     (p)  "Land development regulations" means those regulations
664of general purpose local government, adopted under the Florida
665Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development
666Regulations Act, Florida's Growth Management Act, and chapter
667163, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, to which
668the District is subject and as to which the District may not
669doing anything that is inconsistent. Land development
670regulations shall not mean specific management engineering,
671planning, and other criteria and standards needed in the daily
672management, implementation, and provision by the District of
673basic systems, facilities, services, works, improvements,
674projects, or infrastructure, including design criteria and
675standards, so long as they remain subject to and are not
676inconsistent with the Collier County Growth Management Plan and
677applicable land development regulations.
678     (q)  "Landowner" means the owner of a freehold estate as it
679appears on the deed record, including a trustee, a private
680corporation, and an owner of a condominium unit. Landowner does
681not include a reversioner, remainderman, mortgagee, or any
682governmental entity who shall not be counted and need not be
683notified of proceedings under this Act. Landowner also means the
684owner of a ground lease from a governmental entity, which
685leasehold interest has a remaining term, excluding all renewal
686options, in excess of 50 years.
687     (r)  "General-purpose local government" means a county,
688municipality, or consolidated city-county government.
689     (s)  "Maintenance special assessments" are assessments
690imposed, levied, and collected pursuant to the provisions of
691section 4(14)(d).
692     (t)  "Non-ad valorem assessment" means an assessment levied
693and imposed by the Board of Supervisors of the Ave Maria
694Stewardship Community District that are not based upon millage
695and that constitutes, pursuant to the provisions of this Act,
696first lien imposed on the property subject thereto, coequal with
697any lien imposed by the state, county, municipality, or school
698board:
699     1.  If, pursuant to general law, nonmillage and non-ad
700valorem taxes, limited expressly and only to certain maintenance
701taxes provided for expressly in the District charter as created
702by this Act that are not ad valorem taxes and are not special
703assessments.
704     2.  If an assessment that is not a tax and is a special
705assessment levied and imposed by the Board of Supervisors of the
706District pursuant to an informed and nonarbitrary determination
707by the Board of Supervisors that the system, facility, or
708service will provide, as a logical connection to the applicable
709parcels of property, a special benefit peculiar to the property,
710different in kind and degree than a general benefit and,
711further, that the duty to pay per parcel will be apportioned in
712a manner that is fair and reasonable, and that may be known as
713an assessment, special assessment, maintenance assessment, or
714benefit assessment. The levy of a maintenance assessment to
715maintain a system or facility constructed and financed a by
716special assessment levied by the District may be based on the
717assessment methodology by which a construction special
718assessment is levied but upon a determination that a maintenance
719special assessment also provides a special and peculiar benefit
720to the property and is apportioned in a manner that is fair and
721reasonable.
722     3.  If an assessment is levied, imposed, or equalized by
723the Board of Supervisors by rule of the District.
724     (u)  "Powers" means powers used and exercised by the Board
725of Supervisors to accomplish the single, limited, and special
726purpose of the District including:
727     1.  "General powers" means those organizational and
728administrative powers of the District as provided in its charter
729in order to carry out its single special purpose as a local
730government public corporate body politic.
731     2.  "Special powers" means those powers enumerated by the
732District charter to implement its specialized systems,
733facilities, services, projects, improvements, and infrastructure
734and related functions in order to carry out its single
735specialized purpose.
736     3.  Any other powers, authority, or function set forth in
737this Act.
738     (v)  "Project" means any development, improvement,
739property, power, utility, facility, enterprise, service, system,
740works, or infrastructure now existing or hereafter undertaken or
741established under the provisions of this Act.
742     (w)  "Qualified elector" means any person at least 18 years
743of age who is a citizen of the United States, a legal resident
744of Florida and of the District and who registers to vote with
745the Supervisor of Elections in Collier County.
746     (x)  "Refunding bonds" means bonds issued to refinance
747outstanding bonds of any type and the interest and redemption
748premium thereon. Refunding bonds shall be issuable and payable
749in the same manner as refinanced bonds, except that no approval
750by the electorate shall be required unless required by the State
751Constitution.
752     (y)  "Revenue bonds" means obligations of the District that
753are payable from revenues, including, but not limited to,
754special assessments and benefit special assessments derived from
755sources other than ad valorem taxes on real or tangible personal
756property and that do not pledge the property, credit, or general
757tax revenue of the District.
758     (z)  "Sewer system" means any plant, system, facility, or
759property, and additions, extensions, and improvements thereto at
760any future time constructed or acquired as part thereof, useful
761or necessary or having the present capacity for future use in
762connection with the collection, treatment, purification, or
763disposal of sewage, including, but not limited to, industrial
764wastes resulting from any process of industry, manufacture,
765trade, or business or from the development of any natural
766resource. Sewer system also includes treatment plants, pumping
767stations, lift stations, valves, force mains, intercepting
768sewers, laterals, pressure lines, mains, and all necessary
769appurtenances and equipment; all sewer mains, laterals, and
770other devices for the reception and collection of sewage from
771premises connected therewith; and all real and personal property
772and any interest therein, rights, easements, and franchises of
773any nature relating to any such system and necessary or
774convenient for operation thereof.
775     (aa)  "Special assessments" shall mean assessments as
776imposed, levied, and collected by the District for the costs of
777 assessable improvements pursuant to the provisions of this Act,
778chapter 170, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, and
779the additional authority under section 197.3631, Florida
780Statutes, as amended from time to time, or other provisions of
781general law, now or hereinafter enacted, which provide or
782authorize a supplemental means to impose, levy, and collect
783special assessments.
784     (bb)  "Taxes" or "tax" means those levies and impositions
785of the Board of Supervisors that support and pay for government
786and the administration of law and that may be:
787     1.  Ad valorem or property taxes based upon both the
788appraised value of property and millage, at a rate uniform
789within the jurisdiction;
790     2.  If and when authorized by general law, non-ad valorem
791maintenance taxes not based on millage that are used to maintain
792District systems, facilities, and services.
793     (cc)  "Urban area" means a developed and inhabited urban
794area within the District within a minimum acreage resident
795population density of least 1.5 persons per acre as defined by
796the latest official census, special census, or population
797estimate, a minimum density of one single-family home per 2.5
798acres with access to improved roads, or a minimum density of one
799single-family home per 5 acres within a recorded plat
800subdivision.  Urban areas shall be designated by the Board of
801Supervisors with the assistance of all general purpose local
802governments having jurisdiction over the area within the
803jurisdiction of the District.
804     (dd)  "Water system" means any plant, system, facility, or
805property, and any addition, extension, or improvement thereto at
806any future time constructed or acquired as a part thereof,
807useful, necessary, or having the present capacity for future use
808in connection with the development of sources, treatment,
809purification, or distribution of water. Water system also
810includes dams, reservoirs, storage tanks, mains, lines, valves,
811pumping stations, laterals, and pipes for the purpose of
812carrying water to the premises connected with such system, and
813all rights, easements, and franchises of any nature relating to
814any such system and necessary or convenient for the operation
815thereof.
816     (7)  Policy.--Based upon its findings, ascertainments,
817determinations, intent, purpose, and definitions, the
818Legislature states its policy expressly:
819     (a)  The District and the District charter, with its
820general and special powers, as created in this Act, are
821essential and the best alternative for the unique location and
822nature of the new community for academic, residential,
823commercial, and other community uses, projects, or functions in
824the Rural Lands Stewardship Area Overlay of eastern Collier
825County consistent with and designed to enhance the Stewardship
826Overlay Program and to serve a lawful public purpose.
827     (b)  The District which is a local government and a
828corporate body politic is limited to its single, narrow, and
829special purpose as expressed in this Act, with the power to
830provide, plan, implement, construct, maintain, and finance as a
831local government management entity its basic systems,
832facilities, services, improvements, infrastructure, and projects
833and possessing financing powers to fund its management power
834over the long term and with sustained levels of high quality
835commensurate with the Stewardship Overlay.
836     (c)  This Act may be amended only by special act of the
837Legislature in whole or in part.
838     Section 3.  Minimum general law requirements; creation and
839establishment; boundaries; jurisdiction; construction; charter
840with legal description.--
841     (1)  Pursuant to section 189.404(3), Florida Statutes, the
842Legislature sets forth that the minimum requirements in
843paragraphs (a) through (o) have been met in the identified
844provisions of this Act as follows:
845     (a)  The purpose of the District is stated in the Act in
846section 2, subsection (5).
847     (b)  The powers, functions, and duties of the District are
848generally in section 4, subsection (3) paragraphs (g) and (h)
849and subsections (5)-(16), (18), (19), (21), (25), and (32) as to
850which:
851     1.  Taxation provisions are set forth in section 2,
852subsection (6), paragraph (bb); section 4, subsection (3),
853paragraph (h), subsection (14), paragraphs (a), (c), (f), (g)
854and (i), and subsections (17), (18), and (19).
855     2.  Bond issuance provisions are set forth generally in
856section 2; section 4, subsection (8), paragraph (d), subsections
857(10)-(13), and subsection (16), paragraphs (b) and (c).
858     3. Provisions regarding the other revenue raising
859capabilities are set forth in section 2, subsection (6),
860paragraphs (b), (d), (s), (t), and (aa); section 4, subsection
861(10) and (11), subsection (14), paragraphs (b), (d), (e), (h),
862(i), and (j), and subsections (15) and (16).
863     4.  Provisions regarding fees, rentals, and charges are in
864section 2, subsection (6); and section 4, subsection (8),
865paragraph (i) and subsections (22)-(25).
866     5.  Provisions regarding budget preparation and approval
867are in section 4, subsections (5), (6), and (9).
868     6.  Provisions regarding liens and foreclosures of liens
869are in section 4, subsection (14), paragraphs (f), (g), (h), and
870(i), and subsections (15), (17), (18), and (19).
871     7.  Provisions regarding the use of tax deeds and tax
872certificates as appropriate for non-ad valorem assessments are
873set forth in section 4, subsection (8), paragraph (o),
874subsection (14), paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), and
875(i), and subsection (15).
876     8.  Provisions regarding contractual agreements are in
877section 4, subsection (8), paragraphs (c), (l), (p), (r) and
878(s), and subsection (9), paragraphs (k), (o), (p), (s), (t),
879(v), and (w).
880     (c)  The provisions for methods for establishing the
881District are in section 2, subsection (2), paragraph (b);
882section 3; and effective as provided in section 6.
883     (d)  The methods for amending the charter of the District
884are set forth in section 2, subsection (7), paragraph (c);
885section 3, subsection (4); and section 4, subsection (28).
886     (e)  The provisions regarding aspects of the governing
887board are as follows:
888     1.  Provisions for the membership of the governing board
889are in section 4, subsection (3), paragraph (b) and subsection
890(4), paragraph (c).
891     2.  Provisions regarding the organization of the governing
892board are in section 4, subsection (3), paragraphs (b)-(d) and
893subsection (4), paragraph (c).
894     3.  Provisions regarding the requirement of five board
895members are in section 4, subsection (3), paragraph (b), and
896subsection (4), paragraph (c), subparagraph 1.
897     4.  The provisions regarding the quorum of the governing
898board are in section 4, subsection (3), paragraph (b), and
899subsection (4) paragraph (c), subparagraph 1, sub-subparagraph
900e.
901     (f)  The provisions regarding maximum compensation of each
902board member are in section 4, subsection (4), paragraph (c),
903and in particular in subparagraph 1., sub-subparagraph h.;
904section 4, subsection (4), paragraph (c), subparagraph 1., sub-
905subparagraph h.
906     (g)  The provisions regarding the administrative duties of
907the governing board are found in section 4, subsections (5)-(8).
908     (h)  The provisions applicable to financial disclosure,
909noticing, and reporting requirements for:
910     1.  Financial disclosure are in section 4, subsections (6)
911and (7).
912     2.  The provisions regarding voting are found in section 4,
913subsections (3) and (4).
914     3.  Reporting requirements are in section 4, subsections
915(5)-(7) and subsection (31).
916     (i)  The provisions regarding procedures and requirements
917for issuing bonds are:
918     1.  For issuing bonds are in section 4, subsection (12),
919particularly in paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (k), and (l), and
920related provisions regarding trust agreements are in subsection
921(13).
922     2.  For issuing bonds are in section 4, subsection (12),
923particularly in paragraphs (c)-(q) and subsection (13).
924     (j)  The provisions regarding elections or referenda are:
925     1.  For procedures for elections are in section 4,
926subsections (3) and (4), and provisions regarding referenda are
927in subsection (14), paragraph (a).
928     2.  For qualifications of an elector of the District, a
929qualified elector, are in section 2, subsection (6), paragraph
930(w); and section 4, subsection (3), paragraphs (b) and (c).
931     3.  For referenda are in section 4, subsection (4),
932paragraph (b).
933     (k)  The provisions regarding methods for financing the
934District are generally in section 4, subsections (10), (11),
935(14), (15), (16), (17), (18), and (19).
936     (l)  Other than taxes levied for the payment of bonds and
937taxes levied for periods not longer than 2 years when authorized
938by vote of the electors of the District, the provisions for:
939     1.  The authority to levy ad valorem tax is in section 4,
940subsection (14), paragraph (a) and subsection (3), paragraph
941(h); and section 2, subsection (6) paragraph (bb) subparagraph
9421.
943     2.  The authorized millage rate is in section 4, subsection
944(14), paragraph (a).
945     (m)  The provisions for the method or methods of collecting
946non-ad valorem assessments, fees, or service charges are:
947     1.  For collecting non-ad valorem assessments in section 4,
948subsection (14), paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), and (i) and
949subsection (15).
950     2.  For collecting fees and service charges in section 4,
951subsection (22).
952     (n)  The provisions for planning requirements are as
953limited by the provisions of section 2 and section 3, as limited
954further by section 4, subsections (8) and (9).
955     (o)  The provisions for geographic boundary limitations of
956the District are set forth in section 3, subsection (2)-(4); and
957section 4, subsection (2).
958     (2)  Creation and establishment.--The Ave Maria Stewardship
959Community District, which may also be referred to and be known
960as the "Stewardship Community District," "Ave Maria District,"
961or "District" is created and incorporated as a public body,
962corporate and politic, an independent, limited, special, and
963single purpose local government, an independent special
964district, under section 189.404, Florida Statutes, as amended
965from time to time, and as defined in this Act and in section
966189.403(3), Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, in
967and for eastern Collier County. Any amendments to chapter 190,
968Florida Statutes, after January 1, 2004, granting additional
969general powers, special powers, authorities, or projects to a
970community development district by amendment to its uniform
971charter, sections 190.006-190.041, Florida Statutes, shall
972constitute a general power, special power, authority, or
973function of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District.
974Because all notices for the enactment by the Legislature of this
975Act, a special act, have been provided pursuant to the State
976Constitution, the Laws of Florida, and the Rules of the Florida
977House of Representatives and of the Florida Senate, and because
978Collier County is not a charter county, no referendum subsequent
979to the effective date of this Act is required.  The District, as
980created by this Act, is established on the property pursuant to
981section 6 and section 4(3).
982     (3)  The territorial boundary of the District shall embrace
983and include, without reservation or enclave, all of that certain
984real property described legally in the following section 4(2).
985     (4)  The jurisdiction of this District, in the exercise of
986its general and special powers, and in the carrying out of its
987single, narrow, and special purpose, is both within the external
988boundaries of the legal description of this District and
989extraterritorially when limited to, and as authorized expressly
990elsewhere in, the charter of the District as created in this Act
991or applicable general law. This single purpose District is
992created as a public body corporate and politic and local
993government authority and power is limited by its charter, this
994Act, and subject to the provisions of other general laws,
995including chapter 189, Florida Statutes, except that an
996inconsistent provision in this Act shall control and the
997District has jurisdiction to perform such acts and exercise such
998projects, functions, and powers as shall be necessary,
999convenient, incidental, proper, or reasonable for the
1000implementation of its limited, single, and specialized purpose
1001regarding the sound planning, provision, acquisition,
1002development, operation, maintenance, and related financing of
1003those public systems, facilities, services, improvements,
1004projects, and infrastructure works as authorized herein
1005including those necessary and incidental thereto.
1006     (5)  Exclusive charter.--The exclusive charter of the "Ave
1007Maria Stewardship Community District" is this Act and may be
1008amended only by special act of the Legislature.
1009     Section 4.  Disposition of sections 2 and 3; legal
1010description; exclusive charter of the Ave Maria Stewardship
1011Community District.--
1012     (1)  EXCLUSIVE CHARTER.--This Act constitutes the exclusive
1013charter of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District.
1014     (2)  LEGAL DESCRIPTION.  The metes and bounds legal
1015description of the District, within which there are no enclaves
1016or parcels of property owned by those who do not wish their
1017property to be included within the District, is as follows:
1018
1019METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION
1020DESCRIPTION OF PART OF SECTIONS 21, 22, 27, 28, 29,
102130, AND 33
1022AND ALL OF SECTIONS 31 AND 32, TOWNSHIP 47 SOUTH,
1023RANGE 29 EAST,
1024AND
1025PART OF SECTIONS 4, 9, 16, 17, AND 18
1026AND ALL OF SECTIONS 5, 6, 7, AND 8, TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH,
1027RANGE 29 EAST,
1028AND
1029PART OF SECTIONS 1, 12 AND 13, TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH,
1030RANGE 28 EAST,
1031AND
1032ALL OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 47 SOUTH, RANGE 28 EAST,
1033COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
1034
1035COMMENCING AT the NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 27,
1036TOWNSHIP 47 SOUTH, RANGE
103729 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
1038THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 27 NORTH
103989°42'22" EAST 40.00 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE
1040WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CAMP KEIAS ROAD (80' RIGHT-
1041OF-WAY) AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE PARCEL
1042HEREIN DESCRIBED:
1043THENCE ALONG SAID RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE IN THE FOLLOWING
1044TWENTY FOUR (24) DESCRIBED COURSES;
1045     1)  SOUTH 00°15'32" EAST 4936.39 FEET;
1046     2)  395.35 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A NON-TANGENTIAL
1047CIRCULAR CURVE CONCAVE WEST HAVING A RADIUS OF
10483,707.51 FEET THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 06°05'35" AND
1049BEING SUBTENDED BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 02°47'23"
1050WEST 395.17 FEET;
1051     3)  SOUTH 05°50'40" WEST 101.17 FEET;
1052     4)  THENCE SOUTH 89°37'49" WEST 7.63 FEET;
1053     5)  SOUTH 00°14'32" EAST 73.58 FEET;
1054     6)  SOUTH 05°51'27" WEST 224.83 FEET;
1055     7)  403.87 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A NON-TANGENTIAL
1056CIRCULAR CURVE CONCAVE
1057EAST HAVING A RADIUS OF 3,798.14 FEET THROUGH A
1058CENTRAL ANGLE OF 06°05'33" AND BEING SUBTENDED BY A
1059CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 02°45'21" WEST 403.68 FEET;
1060     8)  SOUTH 00°14'33" EAST 1,907.96 FEET;
1061     9)  SOUTH 00°22'10" EAST 2,609.43 FEET;
1062     10)  SOUTH 00°30'10" EAST 2,673.59 FEET;
1063     11)  SOUTH 00°35'31" EAST 2,684.14 FEET;
1064     12)  SOUTH 00°38'11" EAST 2,610.47 FEET;
1065     13)  SOUTH 00°30'34" EAST 200.03 FEET;
1066     14)  202.91 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CIRCULAR
1067CURVE CONCAVE EAST HAVING A RADIUS OF 2,702.95 FEET
1068THROUGH CENTRAL ANGLE OF 04°18'04" AND
1069BEING SUBTENDED BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 02°39'36"
1070EAST 202.86 FEET;
1071     15)  SOUTH 04°48'38" EAST 400.00 FEET;
1072     16)  SOUTH 05°08'04" EAST 95.99 FEET;
1073     17)  SOUTH 00°29'16" EAST 101.03 FEET;
1074     18)  CONTINUE ALONG SAID LINE SOUTH 00°29'16"
1075EAST 1,609.23 FEET;
1076     19)  SOUTH 00°59'03" EAST 2,660.06 FEET;
1077     20)  SOUTH 00°56'00" EAST 2,246.44 FEET;
1078     21)  104.19 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A  NON-
1079TANGENTIAL CIRCULAR
1080CURVE CONCAVE WEST HAVING A RADIUS OF 461.33 FEET
1081THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF
108212°56'25" AND BEING SUBTENDED BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS
1083SOUTH 05°33'57" WEST
1084103.97 FEET;
1085     22)  SOUTH 12°02'43" WEST 100.00 FEET;
1086     23)  122.31 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CIRCULAR
1087CURVE CONCAVE EAST
1088HAVING A RADIUS OF 540.00 FEET THROUGH CENTRAL ANGLE
1089OF 12°58'40" AND BEING
1090SUBTENDED BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 05°33'23" WEST
1091122.05 FEET;
1092     24)  SOUTH 00°55'58" EAST 49.54 FEET TO THE NORTH
1093RIGHT OF WAY
1094LINE OF OIL WELL ROAD (100' RIGHT OF WAY)
1095THENCE ALONG SAID NORTH RIGHT OF WAY IN THE FOLLOWING
1096EIGHT (8) DESCRIBED
1097COURSES;
1098     1)  SOUTH 88°57'46" WEST 2,595.92 FEET;
1099     2)  SOUTH 88°54'34" WEST 2,641.05 FEET;
1100     3)  SOUTH 88°57'06" WEST 2,570.04 FEET;
1101     4)  SOUTH 88°55'37" WEST 2,702.71 FEET;
1102     5)  SOUTH 88°56'50" WEST 2,645.03 FEET;
1103     6)  SOUTH 88°56'28" WEST 2,639.06 FEET;
1104     7)  SOUTH 89°44'55" WEST 2,676.56 FEET;
1105     8)  SOUTH 89°44'33" WEST 0.82 FEET TO THE WEST
1106LINE OF THOSE
1107LANDS DESCRIBED IN O.R. BOOK 2493, PAGE 2779-2796;
1108THENCE ALONG SAID LINE NORTH 01°11'28" WEST 2,637.90
1109FEET TO THE NORTH LINE
1110OF THOSE LANDS DESCRIBED IN O.R. BOOK 2493, PAGE 2779-
11112796;
1112THENCE ALONG SAID LINE NORTH 89°32'26" EAST 1,332.28
1113FEET TO A NORTHWEST
1114CORNER OF THOSE LANDS DESCRIBED IN O.R. BOOK 2009 PAGE
11151554-1558;
1116THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LANDS NORTH
111789°32'26" EAST 360.40 FEET
1118TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF THOSE LANDS
1119DESCRIBED IN O.R. BOOK
11202943 PAGE 2779-2796;
1121THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID LANDS NORTH
112201°11'02" WEST 2,688.15 FEET
1123TO THE INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 12,
1124TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH, RANGE
112528 EAST,
1126THENCE ALONG SAID LINE SOUTH 89°24'56" WEST 151.63
1127FEET TO THE INTERSECTION
1128WITH THE WEST LINE OF THOSE LANDS DESCRIBED IN O.R.
1129BOOK 2493 PAGE 2779-2796;
1130THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID LANDS NORTH
113100°44'30" WEST 5,387.66 FEET
1132TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTH LINE OF SAID
1133SECTION 12;
1134THENCE ALONG SAID NORTH LINE NORTH 89°00'09" EAST
113523.81 FEET TO INTERSECTION
1136WITH THE WEST LINE OF THOSE LANDS DESCRIBED IN O.R.
1137BOOK 2493 PAGES
11382779-2796;
1139THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID LANDS NORTH
114000°43'12" WEST 5,312.87 FEET
1141TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 47 SOUTH,
1142RANGE 28 EAST;
1143THENCE ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE SOUTH 89°28'47" WEST
11441,591.63 FEET;
1145THENCE CONTINUE ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE SOUTH 89°28'47"
1146WEST 2,658.12 FEET TO THE SOUTH WEST CORNER OF SAID
1147SECTION 36;
1148THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION 36 NORTH
114900°12'02" WEST 2,594.56 FEET;
1150THENCE CONTINUE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION 36
1151NORTH 00°13'09" EAST
11522,595.59 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION
115336;
1154THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 36 NORTH
115589°57'18" EAST 2,678.23
1156FEET;
1157THENCE CONTINUE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION
1158NORTH 89°57'18" EAST
11592,678.23 FEET TO THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION
116036;
1161THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SECTION 30, TOWNSHIP 47
1162SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST,
1163NORTH 00°13'04" WEST 2,580.06 FEET;
1164THENCE CONTINUE ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION
116530 NORTH 00°10'45" WEST
11662,527.41 FEET TO THE SOUTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF
1167IMMOKALEE ROAD (100' RIGHT
1168OF WAY)
1169THENCE ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE FOR THE FOLLOWING
1170NINE (9) DESCRIBED
1171COURSES;
1172     1)  SOUTH 89°43'35" EAST 0.74 FEET;
1173     2)  NORTH 87°40'12" EAST 2,582.06 FEET;
1174     3)  NORTH 87°38'44" EAST 2,630.49 FEET;
1175     4)  NORTH 87°41'38" EAST 2,640.92 FEET;
1176     5)  NORTH 87°46'05" EAST 2,645.58 FEET;
1177     6)  NORTH 89°37'45" EAST 2,687.06 FEET;
1178     7)  NORTH 89°39'06" EAST 780.08 FEET;
1179     8)  3,074.23 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A  NON-
1180TANGENTIAL CIRCULAR CURVE CONCAVE NORTHWEST HAVING A
1181RADIUS OF 1,960.26 FEET THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF
118289°51'20" AND BEING SUBTENDED BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS
1183NORTH 44°42'37" EAST 2,768.73 ;
1184     9)  NORTH 00°27'14" WEST 663.14 FEET TO THE
1185INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID
1186CAMP KEIAS ROAD;
1187THENCE ALONG SAID RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE IN THE FOLLOWING
1188SEVEN (7) DESCRIBED COURSES:
1189     1)  SOUTH 89°56'24" EAST 266.14 FEET;
1190     2)  722.56 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A  NON-
1191TANGENTIAL CIRCULAR CURVE CONCAVE SOUTHWEST HAVING A
1192RADIUS OF 460.00 FEET THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF
119389°59'58" AND BEING SUBTENDED BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS
1194SOUTH 44°56'23" EAST 650.54 FEET;
1195     3)  SOUTH 00°03'36" WEST 600.00 FEET;
1196     4)  529.01 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CIRCULAR CURVE
1197CONCAVE WEST HAVING A RADIUS OF 760.00 FEET THROUGH
1198CENTRAL ANGLE OF 39°52'53" AND BEING SUBTENDED
1199by a chord which bears South 20°00'02" West 518.39
1200feet;
1201     5)  SOUTH 39°56'29" WEST 543.45 FEET;
1202     6)  589.90 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CIRCULAR CURVE
1203CONCAVE EAST HAVING A RADIUS OF 840.00 FEET THROUGH
1204CENTRAL ANGLE OF 40°14'11" AND BEING SUBTENDED
1205BY A CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 19°49'24" WEST 577.85
1206feet;
1207     7)  South 00°17'42" East 60.83 feet TO THE  POINT
1208OF BEGINNING.
1209
1210CONTAINING 10805.08 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.
1211SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD.
1212BEARINGS ARE BASED ON THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTH LINE
1213OF SECTION 16,
1214TOWNSHIP 48 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY,
1215FLORIDA  BEING SOUTH
121688°54'34" WEST.
1217
1218     (3)  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; MEMBERS AND MEETINGS;
1219ORGANIZATION; POWERS; DUTIES; TERMS OF OFFICE; RELATED ELECTON
1220REQUIREMENTS.--
1221     (a)  The Board of Supervisors of the District shall
1222exercise the powers granted to the District pursuant to this Act
1223in order to implement its specialized single purpose.
1224     (b)  There is hereby created the Board of Supervisors of
1225the Stewardship Community District which shall be the governing
1226board and body of the District. Except as otherwise provided in
1227this Act, each member shall hold office for a term of 4 years
1228and until a successor is chosen and qualifies.  There shall be
1229five members of the Board of Supervisors who shall, in order to
1230be eligible, be residents of the state and citizens of the
1231United States. Three members shall constitute a quorum.
1232     (c)  Within in 45 days after the effective date of this
1233Act, a noticed special meeting of the landowners of the Ave
1234Maria Stewardship Community District shall be held for the
1235purpose of electing the members to the first Board of
1236Supervisors for the District as provided in this Act.  Notice of
1237such special meeting of the landowners shall be given by causing
1238publication thereof, to be made once a week for 2 consecutive
1239weeks prior to such meeting in a newspaper of general paid
1240subscription and circulation in Collier County the last day of
1241such publication not to be fewer than 14 or more than 28 days
1242before the day of the election. Such special meeting of the
1243landowners shall be held in a public place in Collier County and
1244the place, date, and hour of holding such meeting and the
1245purpose thereof shall be stated expressly in the notice. The
1246landowners when assembled shall organize by electing a Chair,
1247who shall preside at the meeting of the landowners, and a
1248Secretary, who shall record the proceedings. At such meeting,
1249for the election of each person to be elected, each and every
1250acre of land, or any fraction thereof, within the boundary of
1251the District shall represent one vote and each owner of that
1252acre or fraction thereof shall be entitled to one vote for every
1253such acre or fraction thereof. Persons who qualify to serve as
1254board members shall be nominated at the noticed meeting prior to
1255the initial election at the noticed meeting. A landowner may
1256vote in person or by proxy in writing. A landowner who sells
1257land to a bona fide purchaser may by written lawful instrument
1258retain the voting rights for that acreage.
1259     (d)  At the landowners meeting for the election of the
1260members of the Board of Supervisors on a one-acre, one-vote
1261basis, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes
1262shall be elected for a term expiring November 30, 2006, and the
1263three candidates receiving the next largest number of votes
1264shall be elected for a term expiring November 30, 2008. The
1265members of the first board elected by the landowners shall serve
1266their 4-year or 2-year term; however, the next election by the
1267landowners shall be held on the first Tuesday in November.
1268Thereafter, there shall be an election of supervisors for the
1269District every 2 years in November on a date established by the
1270board and noticed pursuant to paragraph (c). The two candidates
1271receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to serve
1272for a 4-year period and the remaining candidates shall serve for
1273a 2-year period.
1274     (e)  The landowners present at the meeting shall constitute
1275a quorum.
1276     (f)  All vacancies or expirations on the Board of
1277Supervisors shall be filled as provided by this Act.
1278     (g)  In case of a vacancy in the office of any member of
1279the Board of Supervisors, the remaining members of the Board of
1280Supervisors shall by majority vote appoint a person to serve as
1281a member of the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired portion
1282of the term.
1283     (h)  If the board proposes to exercise its limited ad
1284valorem taxing power as provided in the charter, the provisions
1285of paragraph (14)(a) shall apply.
1286     (4)  ELECTION; POPULAR ELECTIONS, REFERENDUM AND
1287DESIGNATION OF URBAN AREAS.--
1288     (a)  Elections of the members of the board shall be
1289conducted on a one-acre, one-vote basis as provided in paragraph
1290(3)(c), until and unless the provisions of paragraph (4)(b)
1291apply.  When and as applicable and required, the appropriate
1292provisions of section 189.405, Florida Statutes, as amended from
1293time to time, apply.
1294     (b)  A referendum shall be called by the Board of
1295Supervisors of the District, each member elected on a one-acre,
1296one-vote basis, on the question of whether certain members of
1297the board should be elected by qualified electors, providing
1298each of the following conditions has been satisfied at least 60
1299days prior to the general or special election at which the
1300referendum is to be held:
1301     1.  That the District has at least 500 qualified electors,
1302based on the most recent state population estimate.
1303     2.  A petition signed by 10 percent of the qualified
1304electors of the District shall have been filed with the Board of
1305Supervisors of the District.  The petition shall be submitted to
1306the Supervisor of Elections of Collier County who shall, within
130730 days after receipt of the petition, certify to the board the
1308percentage of signatures of qualified electors contained on the
1309petition.
1310     3.  Upon verification by the Supervisor of Elections that
131110 percent of the qualified electors of the District have
1312petitioned the Board of Supervisors, the next regularly
1313scheduled election of governing board members shall occur at
1314least 60 days after verification of the petition.
1315     4.  If the qualified electors approve the election
1316procedure described in this section, the governing board of the
1317District shall remain five members and elections shall be held
1318pursuant to the criteria described in this section, beginning
1319with the next regularly scheduled election of governing board
1320members or at a special election called within 6 months
1321following the referendum and final unappealed approval of
1322District urban area maps as provided in this section, whichever
1323is earlier.
1324     5.  If the qualified electors of the District disapprove
1325the election procedure described in this section, elections of
1326the members of the Board of Supervisors shall continue as
1327described in this Act on a one-acre, one-vote basis.  No further
1328referendum on the question shall be held for a minimum period of
13292 years following the referendum.
1330     6.  Within 30 days after approval of the election process
1331described in this section by qualified electors of the District,
1332the Board of Supervisors shall direct the District staff to
1333prepare and to present maps of the District describing the
1334extent and location of all urban areas within the District, such
1335determination shall be based upon the criteria contained in the
1336definition of urban area, in this Act.
1337     7.  Within 60 days after approval of the election process
1338described in this subsection by qualified electors of the
1339District, the maps describing urban areas within the District
1340shall be presented to the Board of Supervisors.
1341     8.  Any District landowner or elector may contest the
1342accuracy of the urban area maps prepared by the staff of the
1343District within 30 days after submission to the Board of
1344Supervisors.  Upon notice of objection to the maps, the
1345governing board shall request the county engineer to prepare and
1346present maps of the District describing the extent and location
1347of all urban areas within the District. Such determination shall
1348be based limitedly and exclusively upon the criteria contained
1349in the definition in this Act of urban area. Within 30 days
1350after the governing board requests, the county engineer shall
1351present the maps to the governing board.
1352     9.  Upon presentation of the maps by the county engineer,
1353the governing board shall compare the maps submitted by both the
1354District staff and the county engineer and make a determination
1355as to which set of maps to adopt. Within 60 days after
1356presentation of all such maps, the governing board may amend and
1357shall adopt the official maps at a regularly scheduled board
1358meeting.
1359     10.  Any District landowner or qualified elector may
1360contest the accuracy of the urban area maps adopted by the board
1361after adoption in accordance with the provision for judicial
1362review as provided in Florida Administrative Procedure Act.
1363Accuracy shall be determined pursuant to the definition of urban
1364area as contained in this Act.
1365     11.  Upon adoption by the Board of Supervisors or
1366certification by the court, the District urban area maps shall
1367serve as the official maps for determination of the extent of
1368the urban area within the District and the number of members of
1369the Board of Supervisors to be elected by qualified electors and
1370by the one-acre, one-vote principle at the next regularly
1371scheduled election of governing board members.
1372     12.  Upon a determination of the percentage of urban area
1373within the District as compared with total area within the
1374District, the governing board shall determine the number of
1375electors in accordance with the percentages pursuant to this
1376paragraph. The landowners' meeting date shall be designated by
1377the Board of Supervisors.
1378     13.  The map shall be updated and readopted every 5 years
1379or sooner at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors.
1380     (c)  Governing board.--
1381     1.  The composition of the governing board shall be as
1382follows:
1383     a.  The five members of the governing board of the District
1384shall be elected in accordance with the following determinations
1385of urban area:
1386     (I)  If urban areas constitute 25 percent or less of the
1387District, one governing board member shall be elected by the
1388qualified electors and four governing board members shall be
1389elected in accordance with the one-acre, one-vote principle
1390contained in subsection (3) or the district's enabling
1391legislation.
1392     (II)  If urban areas constitute more than 25 percent but
1393less than 50 percent of the District, two governing board
1394members shall be elected by the qualified electors and three
1395governing board members shall be elected in accordance with the
1396one-acre, one-vote principle contained in subsection (3) or the
1397district's enabling legislation.
1398     (III)  If urban areas constitute at least 50 percent but
1399less than 70 percent of the District, three governing board
1400members shall be elected by the qualified electors and two
1401governing board members shall be elected in accordance with the
1402one-acre/one-vote principle contained in subsection (3) or the
1403district's enabling legislation.
1404     (IV)  If urban areas constitute at least 70 percent but
1405less than 90 percent of the District, four governing board
1406members shall be elected by the qualified electors and one
1407governing board member shall be elected in accordance with the
1408one-acre, one-vote principle contained in subsection (3) or the
1409district's enabling legislation.
1410     (V)  If urban areas constitute at least 90 percent or more
1411of the District, all governing board members shall be elected by
1412the qualified electors.
1413     b.  All members of the Board of Supervisors, regardless of
1414how elected, shall be public officers, shall be known as
1415Supervisors, and, upon entering into office, shall take and
1416subscribe to the oath of office as prescribed by section 876.05,
1417Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time. All members of
1418the Board of Supervisors, regardless of how elected, and
1419regardless of whether they are qualified electors themselves or
1420not, shall be public officials and subject to ethics and
1421conflict of interest laws of the state that apply to all public
1422officers. They shall hold office for the terms for which they
1423were elected and until their successors are chosen and
1424qualified.
1425     c.  Any elected member of the Board of Supervisors may be
1426removed by the Governor for malfeasance, misfeasance,
1427dishonesty, incompetency, or failure to perform the duties
1428imposed upon him or her by this Act, and any vacancies that may
1429occur in such office shall be filled by the Governor, as soon as
1430practicable, unless filled by the board as provided in this Act.
1431     d.  All governing board members elected by qualified
1432electors shall be qualified electors elected at large.
1433Candidates seeking election as qualified electors shall conduct
1434their campaigns in accordance with the provisions of chapter
1435106, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, and shall
1436file petitions as required in section 99.021, Florida Statutes,
1437as amended from time to time, and take the oath therein
1438prescribed.
1439     e.  All governing board members elected by qualified
1440electors shall have a term of 4 years except for governing board
1441members elected at the first election and the first landowners'
1442meeting following the referendum prescribed in paragraph (b).
1443Governing board members elected at the first election and the
1444first landowners' meeting following the referendum shall serve
1445as follows:
1446     (I)  If one governing board member is elected by the
1447qualified electors and four are elected on a one-acre, one-vote
1448basis, the governing board member elected by the qualified
1449electors shall be elected for a period of 4 years.  Governing
1450board members elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis shall be
1451elected for a specified period of years, as prescribed by
1452subsection (3).
1453     (II)  If two governing board members are elected by the
1454qualified electors and three are elected on a one-acre, one-vote
1455basis, the governing board members elected by the qualified
1456electors shall be elected for a period of 4 years.  Governing
1457board members elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis shall be
1458elected for periods of 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, as
1459prescribed by subsection (3).
1460     (III)  If three governing board members are elected by the
1461qualified electors and two are elected on a one-acre, one-vote
1462basis, two of the governing board members elected by the
1463qualified electors shall be elected for a term of 4 years and
1464the other governing board member elected by the qualified
1465electors shall be elected for a term of 2 years.  Governing
1466board members elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis shall be
1467elected for periods of 1 year and 2 years, respectively, as
1468prescribed by subsection (3).
1469     (IV)  If four governing board members are elected by the
1470qualified electors and one is elected on a one-acre/one-vote
1471basis, two of the governing board members elected by the
1472qualified electors shall be elected for a term of 2 years and
1473the other two for a term of 4 years.  The governing board member
1474elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis shall be elected for a
1475term of 1 year as prescribed by subsection (3).
1476     (V)  If five governing board members are elected by the
1477qualified electors, three shall be elected for a term of 4 years
1478and two for a term of 2 years.
1479     (VI)  If any vacancy occurs in a seat occupied by a
1480governing board member elected by the qualified electors, the
1481remaining members of the governing board shall, within 45 days
1482after the vacancy occurs, appoint a person who would be eligible
1483to hold the office for the unexpired term.
1484     (VII)  Each and every election, by qualified electors, of
1485members of the Board of Supervisors pursuant to this Act shall
1486be conducted in the manner and at a time prescribed by law for
1487holding general elections or prescribed by the Supervisor of
1488Elections in and for the Collier County political subdivision.
1489     e.1.  An annual landowners' meeting shall be held pursuant
1490to subsection (3) and at least one governing board member shall
1491be elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis pursuant to subsection
1492(3) for so long as 10 percent or more of the District is not
1493contained in an urban area.  In the event that all District
1494governing board members are elected by qualified electors, there
1495shall be no further landowners' meetings.
1496     2.  At any landowners' meeting called pursuant to this
1497section, 50 percent of the District acreage shall not be
1498required to constitute a quorum and each governing board member
1499shall be elected by a majority of the acreage represented either
1500by owner or proxy present and voting at said meeting.
1501     3.  All landowners' meetings of districts operating
1502pursuant to this section shall be set by the board within the
1503month preceding the month of the election of the governing board
1504members by the electors.
1505     4.  Vacancies on the board shall be filled pursuant to
1506subsection (3) and this subsection except as otherwise provided
1507in this section.
1508     f.  Three of the members of the Board of Supervisors
1509constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting its business
1510and exercising its powers and for all other related purposes.
1511Action taken by the District Board of Supervisors present shall
1512be upon a vote of the majority of the members present, unless
1513general law or rule of the District subsequently promulgated
1514requires a greater number.
1515     g.  As soon as practicable after each election or
1516appointment, the board shall organize by electing one of its
1517members as Chair and by electing a Secretary, who need not be a
1518member of the board, and such other officers as the board may
1519deem necessary.
1520     h.  The board shall keep a permanent record book entitled
1521"Record of Proceedings of Ave Maria Stewardship Community
1522District," in which shall be recorded minutes of all meetings,
1523resolutions, proceedings, certificates, bonds given by all
1524employees, and any and all corporate acts. The record book shall
1525at reasonable times be opened to inspection in the same manner
1526as state, county, and municipal records pursuant to chapter 119,
1527Florida Statutes. The record book shall be kept at the office or
1528other regular place of business maintained by the Board of
1529Supervisors within Collier County.
1530     i.  Each supervisor shall be entitled to receive for his or
1531her services an amount not to exceed $200 per meeting of the
1532Board of Supervisors, not to exceed $4,800 per year per
1533supervisor, or an amount established by the electors voting in a
1534referendum. In addition, each supervisor shall receive travel
1535and per diem expenses as set forth in section 112.061, Florida
1536Statutes, as amended from time to time.
1537     j.  All meetings of the board shall be open to the public
1538and governed by the provisions of chapter 286, Florida Statutes.
1539     2.  The members of the Board of Supervisors of the
1540District, whether elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis or a
1541qualified elector basis, shall constitute the members of the
1542governing board of the District subject to the requirements of
1543this Act.
1544     (5)  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; GENERAL DUTIES.--
1545     (a)  The board shall employ and fix the compensation of a
1546District Manager. The District Manager shall have charge and
1547supervision of the works of the District and shall be
1548responsible for preserving and maintaining any improvement or
1549facility constructed or erected pursuant to the provisions of
1550this Act, for maintaining and operating the equipment owned by
1551the District, and for performing such other duties as may be
1552prescribed by the board. It shall not be a conflict of interest
1553under chapter 112, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to
1554time, for a board member, the District Manager, or another
1555employee of the District to be a stockholder, officer, or
1556employee of a landowner. The District Manager may hire or
1557otherwise employ and terminate the employment of such other
1558persons, including, without limitation, professional,
1559supervisory, and clerical employees, as may be necessary and
1560authorized by the board. The compensation and other conditions
1561of employment of the officers and employees of the District
1562shall be as provided by the board.
1563     (b)  The board shall designate a person who is a resident
1564of the state as Treasurer of the District, who shall have charge
1565of the funds of the District. Such funds shall be disbursed only
1566upon the order or pursuant to a resolution of the board by
1567warrant or check countersigned by the Treasurer and by such
1568other person as may be authorized by the board. The board may
1569give the Treasurer such other or additional powers and duties as
1570the board may deem appropriate and may fix his or her
1571compensation. The board may require the Treasurer to give a bond
1572in such amount, on such terms, and with such sureties as may be
1573deemed satisfactory to the board to secure the performance by
1574the Treasurer of his or her powers and duties. The financial
1575records of the board shall be audited by an independent
1576certified public accountant at least once a year.
1577     (c)  The board is authorized to select as a depository for
1578its funds any qualified public depository as defined in section
1579280.02, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time which
1580meets all the requirements of chapter 280, Florida Statutes, as
1581amended from time to time, and has been designated by the
1582Treasurer as a qualified public depository upon such terms and
1583conditions as to the payment of interest by such depository upon
1584the funds so deposited as the board may deem just and
1585reasonable.
1586     (6)  BUDGET; REPORTS AND REVIEWS.--
1587     (a)  The District shall provide financial reports in such
1588form and such manner as prescribed pursuant to this Act and
1589chapter 218, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time.
1590     (b)  On or before July 15 of each year, the District
1591Manager shall prepare a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal
1592year to be submitted to the board for board approval. The
1593proposed budget shall include at the direction of the board an
1594estimate of all necessary expenditures of the District for the
1595ensuing fiscal year and an estimate of income to the District
1596from the taxes and assessments provided in this Act. The board
1597shall consider the proposed budget item by item and may either
1598approve the budget as proposed by the District Manager or modify
1599the same in part or in whole. The board shall indicate its
1600approval of the budget by resolution, which resolution shall
1601provide for a hearing on the budget as approved. Notice of the
1602hearing on the budget shall be published in a newspaper of
1603general circulation in the area of the district once a week for
16042 consecutive weeks, except that the first publication shall be
1605not fewer than 15 days prior to the date of the hearing. The
1606notice shall further contain a designation of the day, time, and
1607place of the public hearing. At the time and place designated in
1608the notice, the board shall hear all objections to the budget as
1609proposed and may make such changes as the board deems necessary.
1610At the conclusion of the budget hearing, the board shall, by
1611resolution, adopt the budget as finally approved by the board.
1612The budget shall be adopted prior to October 1 of each year.
1613     (c)  At least 60 days prior to adoption, the Board of
1614Supervisors of the District shall submit to the Collier County
1615Board of County Commissioners, for purposes of disclosure and
1616information only, the proposed annual budget for the ensuing
1617fiscal year and the Board of County Commissioners may submit
1618written comments to the Board of Supervisors solely for the
1619assistance and information of the Board of Supervisors of the
1620District in adopting its annual District budget.
1621     (d)  The Board of Supervisors of the District shall submit
1622annually, to the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
1623County, its District public facilities report under section
1624189.415(2), Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time,
1625addressing specifically short-term and long-term innovative
1626systems, facilities, and services consistent with the unique
1627nature of the new university town community in the Eastern
1628Collier County Stewardship Area Overlay, as to which the Board
1629of County Commissioners of Collier County shall use and rely on
1630the District public facilities report in the preparation or
1631revision of the Collier County Growth Management Plan,
1632specifically under section 189.415(6), Florida Statutes, as
1633amended from time to time.
1634     (7)  DISCLOSURE OF PUBLIC FINANCING.--The District shall
1635take affirmative steps to provide for the full disclosure of
1636information relating to the public financing and maintenance of
1637improvements to real property undertaken by the District. Such
1638information shall be made available to all existing residents
1639and all prospective residents, of the District. The District
1640shall furnish each developer of a residential development within
1641the District with sufficient copies of that information to
1642provide each prospective initial purchaser of property in that
1643development with a copy, and any developer of a residential
1644development within the District, when required by law to provide
1645a public offering statement, shall include a copy of such
1646information relating to the public financing and maintenance of
1647improvements in the public offering statement.  The Division of
1648Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and Mobile Homes of the
1649Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall ensure
1650that disclosures made by developers pursuant to chapter 498,
1651Florida Statutes, meet the requirements of section 190.009(1),
1652Florida Statutes.
1653     (8)  GENERAL POWERS.--The District shall have, and the
1654board may exercise, the following general powers:
1655     (a)  To sue and be sued in the name of the District; to
1656adopt and use a seal and authorize the use of a facsimile
1657thereof; to acquire, by purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise,
1658and to dispose of real and personal property, or any estate
1659therein; and to make and execute contracts and other instruments
1660necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers.
1661     (b)  To apply for coverage of its employees under the
1662Florida Retirement System in the same manner as if such
1663employees were state employees, subject to necessary action by
1664the District to pay employer contributions into the Florida
1665Retirement System Trust Fund.
1666     (c)  To contract for the services of consultants to perform
1667planning, engineering, legal, or other appropriate services of a
1668professional nature. Such contracts shall be subject to public
1669bidding or competitive negotiation requirements as set forth in
1670 subsection (21).
1671     (d)  To borrow money and accept gifts; to apply for and use
1672grants or loans of money or other property from the United
1673States, the state, a unit of local government, or any person for
1674any District purposes and enter into agreements required in
1675connection therewith; and to hold, use, and dispose of such
1676moneys or property for any District purposes in accordance with
1677the terms of the gift, grant, loan, or agreement relating
1678thereto.
1679     (e)  To adopt rules and orders pursuant to the provisions
1680of chapter 120, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time,
1681prescribing the powers, duties, and functions of the officers of
1682the District; the conduct of the business of the District; the
1683maintenance of records; and the form of certificates evidencing
1684tax liens and all other documents and records of the District.
1685The board may also adopt administrative rules with respect to
1686any of the projects of the District and define the area to be
1687included therein. The board may also adopt resolutions which may
1688be necessary for the conduct of District business.
1689     (f)  To maintain an office at such place or places as the
1690Board of Supervisors designates in Collier County, and within
1691the District when facilities are available.
1692     (g)  To hold, control, and acquire by donation, purchase,
1693or condemnation, or dispose of, any public easements,
1694dedications to public use, platted reservations for public
1695purposes, or any reservations for those purposes authorized by
1696this Act other than public easements conveyed to or accepted by
1697Collier County and to make use of such easements, dedications,
1698or reservations for the purposes mandated by this Act.
1699     (h)  To lease as lessor or lessee to or from any person,
1700firm, corporation, association, or body, public or private, any
1701projects of the type that the District is authorized to
1702undertake and facilities or property of any nature for the use
1703of the District to carry out the purposes mandated by this Act.
1704     (i)  To borrow money and issue bonds, certificates,
1705warrants, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness as
1706hereinafter provided; to levy such tax and assessments as may be
1707authorized; and to charge, collect, and enforce fees and other
1708user charges subject as applicable to subsections (10)-(13).
1709     (j)  To raise, by user charges or fees authorized by
1710resolution of the board, amounts of money which are necessary
1711for the conduct of District activities and services and to
1712enforce their receipt and collection in the manner prescribed by
1713resolution not inconsistent with law.
1714     (k)  To exercise within the District, or beyond the
1715District with prior approval by super majority vote of a
1716resolution of the governing body of the county if the taking
1717will occur in an unincorporated area, the right and power of
1718eminent domain, pursuant to the provisions of chapters 73 and
171974, Florida Statutes, as they may be amended from time to time,
1720over any property within the state, except municipal, county,
1721state, and federal property, for the uses and purpose of the
1722District relating solely to water, sewer, District roads, and
1723water management, specifically including, without limitation,
1724the power for the taking of easements for the drainage of the
1725land of one person over and through the land of another.
1726     (l)  To cooperate with, or contract with, other
1727governmental agencies as may be necessary, convenient,
1728incidental, or proper in connection with any of the powers,
1729duties, or purposes authorized by this Act.
1730     (m)  To assess and to impose upon lands in the District ad
1731valorem taxes as provided and limited by this Act.
1732     (n)  If and when authorized by general law, to determine,
1733order, levy, impose, collect, and enforce maintenance taxes.
1734     (o)  To determine, order, levy, impose, collect, and
1735enforce assessments pursuant to this Act, which sets forth a
1736detailed uniform procedure to implement chapter 170, Florida
1737Statutes, and, as an alternative, to determine, order, levy,
1738impose, collect, and enforce assessments under and pursuant to
1739chapter 170, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time,
1740pursuant to authority granted in section 197.3631, Florida
1741Statutes, as amended from time to time, or pursuant to other
1742provisions of general law now or hereinafter enacted which
1743provide or authorize a supplemental means to impose, levy, and
1744collect special assessments. Such special assessments, in the
1745discretion of the District, as provided in section 197.3631,
1746Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, may be collected
1747and enforced pursuant to the provisions of sections 197.3632 and
1748197.3635, Florida Statutes, and chapters 170 and 173, Florida
1749Statutes, as they may be amended from time to time, or as
1750provided by this Act.
1751     (p)  To exercise such special powers and other express
1752powers as may be authorized and granted by this Act in the
1753charter of the District including powers as provided in any
1754interlocal agreement entered into pursuant to chapter 163,
1755Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, or which shall
1756be required or permitted to be undertaken by the District
1757pursuant to any development order or development of regional
1758impact, including any interlocal service agreement with Collier
1759County for fair-share capital construction funding for any
1760certain capital facilities or systems required of the developer
1761pursuant to any applicable development order or agreement.
1762     (q)  To exercise all of the powers necessary, convenient,
1763incidental, or proper in connection with any other powers or
1764duties or the single purpose of the District authorized by this
1765Act.
1766     (r)  The provisions of this section on general powers shall
1767be construed liberally in order to carry out effectively the
1768single specialized purpose of this Act and to secure for the
1769District its ability to be innovative in and for the Rural Lands
1770Stewardship Overlay.
1771     (9)  SPECIAL POWERS.--The District shall have the following
1772special powers to implement its lawful, single, and special
1773purpose and to provide, pursuant to that purpose, basic systems,
1774facilities, services, improvements, projects, works, and
1775infrastructure in and subject to the Stewardship Overlay, each
1776of which constitutes a lawful public purpose when exercised
1777pursuant to this charter, subject to, and not inconsistent with,
1778the regulatory jurisdiction and permitting authority of all
1779other applicable governmental bodies, agencies, and any special
1780districts having authority with respect to any area included
1781therein, and to plan, establish, acquire, construct or
1782reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, operate, finance, fund,
1783and maintain improvements, systems, facilities, services, works,
1784projects, and infrastructure. Any or all of the following
1785special powers are granted by this Act in order to implement the
1786special requirements of this university new town community
1787within the Stewardship Overlay and the single special purpose of
1788the District:
1789     (a)  Water management and control for the lands within the
1790District and to connect some or any of such facilities with
1791roads and bridges.  In the event that the board assumes the
1792responsibility for providing water management and control for
1793the District which is to be financed by a benefit special
1794assessments, the board shall adopt plans and assessments
1795pursuant to law or may proceed to adopt water management and
1796control plans, assess for benefits, and apportion and levy
1797special assessments, as follows:
1798     1.  The board shall cause to be made by the District's
1799engineer, or such other engineer or engineers as the board may
1800employ for that purpose, complete and comprehensive water
1801management and control plans for the lands located within the
1802District that will be improved in any part or in whole by any
1803system of facilities that may be outlined and adopted, and the
1804engineer shall make a report in writing to the board with maps
1805and profiles of said surveys and an estimate of the cost of
1806carrying out and completing the plans.
1807     2.  Upon the completion of such plans, the board shall hold
1808a hearing thereon to hear objections thereto, shall give notice
1809of the time and place fixed for such hearing by publication once
1810each week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general
1811circulation in the general area of the District, and shall
1812permit the inspection of the plan at the office of the District
1813by all persons interested.  All objections to the plan shall be
1814filed at or before the time fixed in the notice for the hearing
1815and shall be in writing.
1816     3. After the hearing, the board shall consider the proposed
1817plan and any objections thereto and may modify, reject, or adopt
1818the plan or continue the hearing until a day certain for further
1819consideration of the proposed plan or modifications thereof.
1820     4.  When the board approves a plan, a resolution shall be
1821adopted and a certified copy thereof shall be filed in the
1822office of the Secretary and incorporated by him or her into the
1823records of the District.
1824     5.  The water management and control plan may be altered in
1825detail from time to time until the appraisal record herein
1826provided is filed, but not in such manner as to affect
1827materially the conditions of its adoption.  After the appraisal
1828record has been filed, no alteration of the plan shall be made,
1829except as provided by this Act.
1830     6.  Within 20 days after the final adoption of the plan by
1831the board, the board shall proceed pursuant to section 298.301,
1832Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time.
1833     (b)  Water supply, sewer, and wastewater management,
1834reclamation, and reuse, or any combination thereof, and any
1835irrigation systems, facilities, and services and to construct
1836and operate connecting intercepting or outlet sewers and sewer
1837mains and pipes and water mains, conduits, or pipelines in,
1838along, and under any street, alley, highway, or other public
1839place or ways, and to dispose of any effluent, residue, or other
1840byproducts of such system or sewer system.
1841     1.  The District may not purchase or sell a water, sewer,
1842or wastewater reuse utility that provides service to the public
1843for compensation, or enter into a wastewater facility
1844privatization contract for a wastewater facility, until the
1845governing body of the Stewardship Community District has held a
1846public hearing on the purchase, sale, or wastewater facility
1847privatization contract and made a determination that the
1848purchase, sale, or wastewater facility privatization contract is
1849in the public interest.
1850     2.  In determining if the purchase, sale, or wastewater
1851facility privatization contract is in the public interest, the
1852Stewardship Community District shall consider, at a minimum, the
1853following:
1854     a.  The most recent available income and expense statement
1855for the utility;
1856     b.  The most recent available balance sheet for the
1857utility, listing assets and liabilities and clearly showing the
1858amount of contributions-in-aid-of-construction and the
1859accumulated depreciation thereon;
1860     c.  A statement of the existing rate base of the utility
1861for regulatory purposes;
1862     d.  The physical condition of the utility facilities being
1863purchased, sold, or subject to a wastewater facility
1864privatization contract;
1865     e.  The reasonableness of the purchase, sales, or
1866wastewater facility privatization contract price and terms;
1867     f.  The impacts of the purchase, sale, or wastewater
1868facility privatization contract on utility customers, both
1869positive and negative;
1870     g.  Any additional investment required and the ability and
1871willingness of the purchaser or the private firm under a
1872wastewater facility privatization contract to make that
1873investment, whether the purchaser is the District or the entity
1874purchasing the utility from the District;
1875     h.  In the case of a wastewater facility privatization
1876contract, the terms and conditions on which the private firm
1877will provide capital investment and financing or a combination
1878thereof for contemplated capital replacements, additions,
1879expansions, and repairs. The District shall give significant
1880weight to this criteria;
1881     i.  The alternatives to the purchase, sale, or wastewater
1882facility privatization contract and the potential impact on
1883utility customers if the purchase, sale, or wastewater facility
1884privatization contract is not made;
1885     j.  The ability of the purchaser or the private firm under
1886a wastewater facility privatization contract to provide and
1887maintain high-quality and cost-effective utility service,
1888whether the purchaser is the District or the entity purchasing
1889the utility from the District;
1890     k.  In the case of a wastewater facility privatization
1891contract, the District shall give significant weight to the
1892technical expertise and experience of the private firm in
1893carrying out the obligations specified in the wastewater
1894facility privatization contract; and
1895     l.  All moneys paid by a private firm to a District
1896pursuant to a wastewater facility privatization contract shall
1897be used for the purpose of reducing or offsetting property
1898taxes, wastewater service rates, or debt reduction or making
1899infrastructure improvements or capital asset expenditures or
1900other public purpose; provided, however, nothing herein shall
1901preclude the District from using all or part of the moneys for
1902the purpose of the District's qualification for relief from the
1903repayment of federal grant awards associated with the wastewater
1904system as may be required by federal law or regulation.
1905
1906The District shall prepare a statement showing that the
1907purchase, sale, or wastewater facility privatization contract is
1908in the public interest, including a summary of the purchaser's
1909or private firm's experience in water, sewer, or wastewater
1910reuse utility operation and a showing of financial ability to
1911provide the service, whether the purchaser or private firm is
1912the District or the entity purchasing the utility from the
1913District.
1914     (c)  Bridges or culverts that may be needed across any
1915drain, ditch, canal, floodway, holding basin, excavation, public
1916highway, tract, grade, fill, or cut and roadways over levees and
1917embankments, and to construct any and all of such works and
1918improvements across, through, or over any public right-of-way,
1919highway, grade, fill, or cut.
1920     (d)  District roads equal to or exceeding the
1921specifications of the county in which such District roads are
1922located, and street lights, including conditions of development
1923approval which sometimes may be different specifications then
1924the normal specifications of the county.  This special power
1925includes construction, improvement, pavement, and maintenance of
1926roadways and roads necessary and convenient for the exercise of
1927the powers or duties of the District to:
1928     1. Implement its single purpose;
1929     2. Include as a component thereof roads, parkways, bridges,
1930landscaping, irrigation, bicycle lanes, and jogging paths,
1931street lighting, traffic signals, road striping, and all other
1932customary elements of a modern road system in general or as tied
1933to the conditions of development approval for the specific Ave
1934Maria Community Development; and
1935     3. Plan, implement, construct or reconstruct, enlarge or
1936extend, finance, fund, equip, operate, and maintain parking
1937facilities that are freestanding or that may be related to any
1938innovative strategic intermodal system of transportation
1939pursuant to applicable federal, state, and local law and
1940ordinance.
1941     (e)  Buses, trolleys, transit shelters, ridesharing
1942facilities and services, parking improvements, and related
1943signage.
1944     (f)  Investigation and remediation costs associated with
1945the cleanup of actual or perceived environmental contamination
1946within the District under the supervision or direction of a
1947competent governmental authority unless the covered costs
1948benefit any person who is a landowner within the District and
1949who caused or contributed to the contamination.
1950     (g)  Conservation areas, mitigation areas, and wildlife
1951habitat, including the maintenance of any plant or animal
1952species, and any related interest in real or personal property.
1953     (h)  Using its general and special powers as set forth in
1954this Act, any other project within or without the boundaries of
1955a District when the project is the subject of an agreement
1956between the District and the Board of County Commissioners of
1957Collier County or with any applicable other public or private
1958entity, including a homeowners' association, and is not
1959inconsistent with the Collier County Comprehensive Plan, the
1960Growth Management Plan, and the Stewardship Overlay which
1961implement the single special purpose of the District.
1962     (i)  Parks and facilities for indoor and outdoor
1963recreational, cultural, and educational uses.
1964     (j)  Fire prevention and control, including fire stations,
1965water mains and plugs, fire trucks, and other vehicles and
1966equipment.
1967     (k)  School buildings and related structures, which may be
1968leased, sold, or donated to the school district, for use in the
1969educational system when authorized by the district school board.
1970The Stewardship Community District is granted the special power
1971to contract with the Collier County School Board and, as
1972applicable, the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
1973and with the applicable landowner developer of the lands within
1974the jurisdiction of the District, to assess the school district
1975educational facilities plan, and to implement a management and
1976financing plan for timely construction, maintenance, and
1977acquisition, at the option of the Stewardship Community
1978District, school facilities, including facilities identified in
1979the facilities work programs or those proposed by charter
1980schools.  The Stewardship Community District is granted the
1981special power to determine, order, levy, impose, collect, or
1982arrange for the collection and enforcement of assessments, as
1983defined in and pursuant to this Act for such school facilities.
1984The Stewardship Community District created under and by this Act
1985is eligible for the financial enhancements available to
1986educational facilities benefit districts to provide for
1987financing the construction and maintenance of educational
1988facilities pursuant to section 1013.356, Florida Statutes, and,
1989if and when authorized by general law, to acquire such
1990educational facilities. This Act, in the place of an educational
1991facilities benefit district, authorizes the Collier County
1992School Board to designate the Ave Maria Stewardship Community
1993District.  The Stewardship Community District is authorized to
1994enter into an interlocal agreement with the Collier County
1995School Board and, as applicable, the Board of County
1996Commissioners of Collier County and applicable private
1997landowners and developers, and the Ave Maria University in order
1998to provide for such construction, maintenance, and acquisition
1999and in order to receive the applicable financial enhancements
2000provided by section 1013.356, Florida Statutes. The interlocal
2001agreement shall among other things consider absorption rates,
2002sales rates, and related data of existing and projected schools,
2003racial, ethnic, social, and economic balance within the Collier
2004County School District under applicable state and federal law
2005and the provision of school attendance zones to allow students
2006residing within a reasonable distance of the facilities
2007constructed and financed through the interlocal agreement to
2008attend such facilities.  It is provided, because these
2009facilities are funded by assessments and not by taxes of any
2010type, that the provision of these facilities may be multiuse
2011and, consistent with the provisions of this Act, shall be first
2012liens on the property upon a showing of special and peculiar
2013benefits that flow to the applicable property as a logical
2014connection from the systems, facilities, and services, resulting
2015in added use, enhanced enjoyment, decreased insurance premiums,
2016or enhanced value in marketability so that the Legislature finds
2017that the provisions of the Florida Constitution for free public
2018schools are implemented and enhanced.
2019     (l)  Security, including, but not limited to, guardhouses,
2020fences, and gates, electronic intrusion-detection systems, and
2021patrol cars, when authorized by proper governmental agencies;
2022except that the District may not exercise any powers of a law
2023enforcement agency, but may contract with the appropriate local
2024general-purpose government agencies for an increased level of
2025such services within the District boundaries. Notwithstanding
2026any provision of general law, the District may operate
2027guardhouses for the limited purpose of providing security for
2028the residents of the District and which serve a predominate
2029public, as opposed to private, purpose. Such guardhouses shall
2030be operated by the District or any other unit of local
2031government pursuant to procedures designed to serve such
2032security purposes as set forth in rules adopted by the board,
2033from time to time, following the procedures set froth in chapter
2034120, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time.
2035     (m)  Control and elimination of mosquitoes and other
2036arthropods of public health importance.
2037     (n)  Waste, waste collection, and disposal.
2038     (o)  To enter into impact fee credit agreements with
2039Collier County.  Under such agreements, where the District
2040constructs or makes contributions for public systems,
2041facilities, services, projects, improvements, works, and
2042infrastructures for which impact fee credits would be available
2043to the landowner developer under the Collier County applicable
2044impact fee ordinance, the agreement authorized by this Act shall
2045provide such impact fee credit shall inure to the landowners
2046within the District in proportion to assessments or other
2047burdens levied and imposed upon the landowners with respect to
2048assessable improvements giving rise to such impact fee credits,
2049and the District shall from time to time execute such
2050instruments, such as assignments of impact fee credits, as may
2051be necessary, appropriate, or desirable to accomplish or to
2052confirm the foregoing.
2053     (p)  To establish and create, at noticed meetings, such
2054government departments of the Board of Supervisors of the
2055District, as well as committees, task forces, boards, or
2056commissions, or other agencies under the supervision and control
2057of the District, as from time to time the members of the Board
2058of Supervisors may deem necessary or desirable in the
2059performance of the acts or other things necessary to exercise
2060its general or special powers to implement an innovative project
2061to carry out the special purpose of the District as provided in
2062this Act and to delegate the exercise of its powers to such
2063departments, boards, task forces, committees, or other agencies
2064such administrative duties and other powers as the Board of
2065Supervisors may deem necessary or desirable but only if there is
2066a set of expressed limitations for accountability, notice, and
2067periodic written reporting to the Board of Supervisors which
2068shall retain its powers.
2069     (q)  Consistent with stewardship of the Rural Lands
2070Stewardship Area Zoning Overlay District and so long as not
2071inconsistent with the applicable local government comprehensive
2072plan and development entitlements, the District may coordinate
2073with the landowner developer and with the university on the
2074phasing of the delivery of infrastructure and may create phase
2075entities or units for its charter purpose. Toward this end, and
2076so long as it implements the purpose of the District under this
2077Act, the Board of Supervisors may designate units of development
2078and adopt systems of progressive phased development by units
2079with related management planning, implementation, construction,
2080maintenance, and financing within its phased unit. If the Board
2081of Supervisors proceeds to designate such phased units of
2082development, it must adopt at a noticed meeting pursuant to
2083chapter 120, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, a
2084rule setting forth detailed procedures and authorizations for
2085such phase unit processes. A committee, department, or agency of
2086the board shall be given express duty of oversight with monthly
2087written reports to the Board of Supervisors. No such phased
2088units can begin or operate until or unless the required noticed
2089rule has been adopted. With regard to any phased unit, there
2090shall be no bonded indebtedness and no levy of any lienable or
2091nonlienable revenue, whether to amortize bonds or not, within
2092the boundary of a phrased unit other than by the Board of
2093Supervisors and pursuant to the powers, procedures, and
2094provisions of this Act and other applicable laws.
2095     (r)  To plan, establish, acquire, construct, or
2096reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, operate, maintain,
2097finance and fund buildings and structures for District offices,
2098maintenance facilities, meeting facilities, town centers or any
2099other project authorized or granted by this Act upon a showing
2100at a noticed meeting of its efficacy to the specialized single
2101purpose of this District for the new university town community
2102in the Rural Lands Stewardship Zoning Overlay District.
2103     (s)  To plan, establish, acquire, construct or reconstruct,
2104enlarge or extend, equip, operate, maintain, finance, and fund
2105edifices and facilities for the provision of healthcare, and to
2106include the operation of any one or more of such facilities when
2107authorized by applicable public or private agencies providing
2108healthcare and upon a showing of efficacy to carryout the
2109purpose of the District in the Rural Lands Stewardship Zoning
2110Overlay District.
2111     (t)  To enter into an agreement with the Ave Maria
2112University, upon a showing of efficacy in implementing the
2113single specialized purpose of the District in the Stewardship
2114Overlay, for the planning, establishment, acquisition,
2115construction or reconstruction, enlarging or extending,
2116equipping, operating, maintaining, financing, and funding of any
2117innovative system, facility, or service constituting a project
2118as defined in this Act.
2119     (u)  To adopt and enforce appropriate rules following the
2120procedures of chapter 120, Florida Statutes, in connection with
2121the provisions of one or more its systems, facilities, services,
2122projects, improvements, works, and infrastructure.
2123     (v)  The enumeration of special powers herein shall not be
2124deemed exclusive or restrictive, but shall be deemed to
2125incorporate all powers express or implied necessary or incident
2126to carrying out such enumerated special powers, including also
2127the general powers provided by this special act charter to the
2128District to implement its single purpose.
2129     (w)  The provisions of this section on special powers shall
2130be construed liberally in order to carry out effectively the
2131single purpose of this District under this Act and to secure for
2132the District its ability to be innovative in and for the Rural
2133Lands Stewardship Overlay.
2134     (10)  ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES.--In addition to
2135the other powers provided for in this Act, and not in limitation
2136thereof, the District shall have the power, at any time, and
2137from time to time after the issuance of any bonds of the
2138District shall have been authorized, to borrow money for the
2139purposes for which such bonds are to be issued in anticipation
2140of the receipt of the proceeds of the sale of such bonds and to
2141issue bond anticipation notes in a principal sum not in excess
2142of the authorized maximum amount of such bond issue. Such notes
2143shall be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at
2144such rate as the board may determine not to exceed the maximum
2145rate allowed by general law, mature at such time or times not
2146later than 5 years from the date of issuance, and be in such
2147form and executed in such manner as the board shall prescribe.
2148Such notes may be sold at either public or private sale or, if
2149such notes shall be renewal notes, may be exchanged for notes
2150then outstanding on such terms as the board shall determine.
2151Such notes shall be paid from the proceeds of such bonds when
2152issued. The board may, in its discretion, in lieu of retiring
2153the notes by means of bonds, retire them by means of current
2154revenues or from any taxes or assessments levied for the payment
2155of such bonds, but in such event a like amount of the bonds
2156authorized shall not be issued.
2157     (11)  SHORT-TERM BORROWING.--The District at any time may
2158obtain loans, in such amount and on such terms and conditions as
2159the board may approve, for the purpose of paying any of the
2160expenses of the District or any costs incurred or that may be
2161incurred in connection with any of the projects of the District,
2162which loans shall bear interest as the board determines as not
2163to exceed the maximum rate allowed by general law, and may be
2164payable from and secured by a pledge of such funds, revenues,
2165taxes, and assessments as the board may determine, subject,
2166however, to the provisions contained in any proceeding under
2167which bonds were theretofore issued and are then outstanding.
2168For the purpose of defraying such costs and expenses, the
2169District may issue negotiable notes, warrants, or other
2170evidences of debt to be payable at such times, to bear such
2171interest as the board may determine, not to exceed the maximum
2172rate allowed by general law, and to be sold or discounted at
2173such price or prices not less than 95 percent of par value and
2174on such terms as the board may deem advisable. The board shall
2175have the right to provide for the payment thereof by pledging
2176the whole or any part of the funds, revenues, taxes, and
2177assessments of the District. The approval of the electors
2178residing in the District shall not be necessary except when
2179required by the State Constitution.
2180     (12)  BONDS.--
2181     (a)  Sale of bonds.--Bonds may be sold in blocks or
2182installments at different times, or an entire issue or series
2183may be sold at one time. Bonds may be sold at public or private
2184sale after such advertisement, if any, as the board may deem
2185advisable but not in any event at less than 90 percent of the
2186par value thereof, together with accrued interest thereon. Bonds
2187may be sold or exchanged for refunding bonds. Special assessment
2188and revenue bonds may be delivered by the District as payment of
2189the purchase price of any project or part thereof, or a
2190combination of projects or parts thereof, or as the purchase
2191price or exchange for any property, real, personal, or mixed,
2192including franchises or services rendered by any contractor,
2193engineer, or other person, all at one time or in blocks from
2194time to time, in such manner and upon such terms as the board in
2195its discretion shall determine. The price or prices for any
2196bonds sold, exchanged, or delivered may be:
2197     1.  The money paid for the bonds;
2198     2.  The principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date
2199of redemption or exchange, or outstanding obligations exchanged
2200for refunding bonds; and
2201     3.  In the case of special assessment or revenue bonds, the
2202amount of any indebtedness to contractors or other persons paid
2203with such bonds, or the fair value of any properties exchanged
2204for the bonds, as determined by the board.
2205     (b)  Authorization and form of bonds.--Any general
2206obligation bonds, special assessment bonds, or revenue bonds may
2207be authorized by resolution or resolutions of the board which
2208shall be adopted by a majority of all the members thereof then
2209in office. Such resolution or resolutions may be adopted at the
2210same meeting at which they are introduced and need not be
2211published or posted. The board may, by resolution, authorize the
2212issuance of bonds and fix the aggregate amount of bonds to be
2213issued; the purpose or purposes for which the moneys derived
2214therefrom shall be expended, including, but not limited to,
2215payment of costs as defined in section 2 (6)(j); the rate or
2216rates of interest, not to exceed the maximum rate allowed by
2217general law; the denomination of the bonds; whether or not the
2218bonds are to be issued in one or more series; the date or dates
2219of maturity, which shall not exceed 40 years from their
2220respective dates of issuance; the medium of payment; the place
2221or places within or without the state where payment shall be
2222made; registration privileges; redemption terms and privileges,
2223whether with or without premium; the manner of execution; the
2224form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached
2225thereto; the manner of execution of bonds and coupons; and any
2226and all other terms, covenants, and conditions thereof and the
2227establishment of revenue or other funds. Such authorizing
2228resolution or resolutions may further provide for the contracts
2229authorized by section 159.825(1)(f) and (g), Florida Statutes,
2230as amended from time to time, regardless of the tax treatment of
2231such bonds being authorized, subject to the finding by the board
2232of a net saving to the District resulting by reason thereof.
2233Such authorizing resolution may further provide that such bonds
2234may be executed in accordance with the Registered Public
2235Obligations Act, except that bonds not issued in registered form
2236shall be valid if manually countersigned by an officer
2237designated by appropriate resolution of the board. The seal of
2238the District may be affixed, lithographed, engraved, or
2239otherwise reproduced in facsimile on such bonds. In case any
2240officer whose signature shall appear on any bonds or coupons
2241shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such
2242bonds, such signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid
2243and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he or she had
2244remained in office until such delivery.
2245     (c)  Interim certificates; replacement
2246certificates.--Pending the preparation of definitive bonds, the
2247board may issue interim certificates or receipts or temporary
2248bonds, in such form and with such provisions as the board may
2249determine, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds
2250have been executed and are available for delivery. The board may
2251also provide for the replacement of any bonds which become
2252mutilated, lost, or destroyed.
2253     (d)  Negotiability of bonds.--Any bond issued under this
2254Act or any temporary bond, in the absence of an express recital
2255on the face thereof that it is nonnegotiable, shall be fully
2256negotiable and shall be and constitute a negotiable instrument
2257within the meaning and for all purposes of the law merchant and
2258the laws of the state.
2259     (e)  Defeasance.--The board may make such provision with
2260respect to the defeasance of the right, title, and interest of
2261the holders of any of the bonds and obligations of the District
2262in any revenues, funds, or other properties by which such bonds
2263are secured as the board deems appropriate and, without
2264limitation on the foregoing, may provide that when such bonds or
2265obligations become due and payable or shall have been called for
2266redemption and the whole amount of the principal and interest
2267and premium, if any, due and payable upon the bonds or
2268obligations then outstanding shall be held in trust for such
2269purpose and provision shall also be made for paying all other
2270sums payable in connection with such bonds or other obligations,
2271then and in such event the right, title, and interest of the
2272holders of the bonds in any revenues, funds, or other properties
2273by which such bonds are secured shall thereupon cease,
2274terminate, and become void; and the board may apply any surplus
2275in any sinking fund established in connection with such bonds or
2276obligations and all balances remaining in all other funds or
2277accounts other than moneys held for the redemption or payment of
2278the bonds or other obligations to any lawful purpose of the
2279District as the board shall determine.
2280     (f)  Issuance of additional bonds.--If the proceeds of any
2281bonds are less than the cost of completing the project in
2282connection with which such bonds were issued, the board may
2283authorize the issuance of additional bonds, upon such terms and
2284conditions as the board may provide in the resolution
2285authorizing the issuance thereof, but only in compliance with
2286the resolution or other proceedings authorizing the issuance of
2287the original bonds.
2288     (g)  Refunding bonds.--The District shall have the power to
2289issue bonds to provide for the retirement or refunding of any
2290bonds or obligations of the District that at the time of such
2291issuance are or subsequent thereto become due and payable, or
2292that at the time of issuance have been called or are or will be
2293subject to call for redemption within 10 years thereafter, or
2294the surrender of which can be procured from the holders thereof
2295at prices satisfactory to the board. Refunding bonds may be
2296issued at any time when in the judgment of the board such
2297issuance will be advantageous to the District. No approval of
2298the qualified electors residing in the District shall be
2299required for the issuance of refunding bonds except in cases in
2300which such approval is required by the State Constitution. The
2301board may by resolution confer upon the holders of such
2302refunding bonds all rights, powers, and remedies to which the
2303holders would be entitled if they continued to be the owners and
2304had possession of the bonds for the refinancing of which such
2305refunding bonds are issued, including, but not limited to, the
2306preservation of the lien of such bonds on the revenues of any
2307project or on pledged funds, without extinguishment, impairment,
2308or diminution thereof. The provisions of this Act pertaining to
2309bonds of the District shall, unless the context otherwise
2310requires, govern the issuance of refunding bonds, the form and
2311other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and
2312the duties of the board with respect to them.
2313     (h)  Revenue bonds.--
2314     1.  The District shall have the power to issue revenue
2315bonds from time to time without limitation as to amount. Such
2316revenue bonds may be secured by, or payable from, the gross or
2317net pledge of the revenues to be derived from any project or
2318combination of projects; from the rates, fees, or other charges
2319to be collected from the users of any project or projects; from
2320any revenue-producing undertaking or activity of the District;
2321from special assessments; or from benefit special assessments;
2322or from any other source or pledged security. Such bonds shall
2323not constitute an indebtedness of the District, and the approval
2324of the qualified electors shall not be required unless such
2325bonds are additionally secured by the full faith and credit and
2326taxing power of the District.
2327     2.  Any two or more projects may be combined and
2328consolidated into a single project and may hereafter be operated
2329and maintained as a single project. The revenue bonds authorized
2330herein may be issued to finance any one or more of such
2331projects, regardless of whether or not such projects have been
2332combined and consolidated into a single project. If the board
2333deems it advisable, the proceedings authorizing such revenue
2334bonds may provide that the District may thereafter combine the
2335projects then being financed or theretofore financed with other
2336projects to be subsequently financed by the District and that
2337revenue bonds to be thereafter issued by the District shall be
2338on parity with the revenue bonds then being issued, all on such
2339terms, conditions, and limitations as shall have been provided
2340in the proceeding which authorized the original bonds.
2341     (i)  General obligation bonds.--
2342     1.  Subject to the limitations of this charter, the
2343District shall have the power from time to time to issue general
2344obligation bonds to finance or refinance capital projects or to
2345refund outstanding bonds in an aggregate principal amount of
2346bonds outstanding at any one time not in excess of 35 percent of
2347the assessed value of the taxable property within the District
2348as shown on the pertinent tax records at the time of the
2349authorization of the general obligation bonds for which the full
2350faith and credit of the District is pledged. Except for
2351refunding bonds, no general obligation bonds shall be issued
2352unless the bonds are issued to finance or refinance a capital
2353project and the issuance has been approved at an election held
2354in accordance with the requirements for such election as
2355prescribed by the State Constitution. Such elections shall be
2356called to be held in the District by the board of county
2357commissioners of the county upon the request of the board of the
2358District. The expenses of calling and holding an election shall
2359be at the expense of the District, and the District shall
2360reimburse the county for any expenses incurred in calling or
2361holding such election.
2362     2.  The District may pledge its full faith and credit for
2363the payment of the principal and interest on such general
2364obligation bonds and for any reserve funds provided therefore
2365and may unconditionally and irrevocably pledge itself to levy ad
2366valorem taxes on all taxable property in the District, to the
2367extent necessary for the payment thereof, without limitations as
2368to rate or amount.
2369     3.  If the board determines to issue general obligation
2370bonds for more than one capital project, the approval of the
2371issuance of the bonds for each and all such projects may be
2372submitted to the electors on one and the same ballot. The
2373failure of the electors to approve the issuance of bonds for any
2374one or more capital projects shall not defeat the approval of
2375bonds for any capital project which has been approved by the
2376electors.
2377     4.  In arriving at the amount of general obligation bonds
2378permitted to be outstanding at any one time pursuant to
2379subparagraph 1., there shall not be included any general
2380obligation bonds which are additionally secured by the pledge
2381of:
2382     a.  Any assessments levied in an amount sufficient to pay
2383the principal and interest on the general obligation bonds so
2384additionally secured, which assessments have been equalized and
2385confirmed by resolution of the board pursuant to this Act or
2386section 170.08, Florida Statutes.
2387     b.  Water revenues, sewer revenues, or water and sewer
2388revenues of the District to be derived from user fees in an
2389amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the
2390general obligation bonds so additionally secured.
2391     c.  Any combination of assessments and revenues described
2392in sub-subparagraphs a. and b.
2393     (j)  Bonds as legal investment or security.--
2394     1.  Notwithstanding any provisions of any other law to the
2395contrary, all bonds issued under the provisions of this Act
2396shall constitute legal investments for savings banks, banks,
2397trust companies, insurance companies, executors, administrators,
2398trustees, guardians, and other fiduciaries and for any board,
2399body, agency, instrumentality, county, municipality, or other
2400political subdivision of the state and shall be and constitute
2401security which may be deposited by banks or trust companies as
2402security for deposits of state, county, municipal, or other
2403public funds or by insurance companies as required or voluntary
2404statutory deposits.
2405     2.  Any bonds issued by the District shall be incontestable
2406in the hands of bona fide purchasers or holders for value and
2407shall not be invalid because of any irregularity or defect in
2408the proceedings for the issue and sale thereof.
2409     (k)  Covenants.--Any resolution authorizing the issuance of
2410bonds may contain such covenants as the board may deem
2411advisable, and all such covenants shall constitute valid and
2412legally binding and enforceable contracts between the District
2413and the bondholders, regardless of the time of issuance thereof.
2414Such covenants may include, without limitation, covenants
2415concerning the disposition of the bond proceeds; the use and
2416disposition of project revenues; the pledging of revenues,
2417taxes, and assessments; the obligations of the District with
2418respect to the operation of the project and the maintenance of
2419adequate project revenues; the issuance of additional bonds; the
2420appointment, powers, and duties of trustees and receivers; the
2421acquisition of outstanding bonds and obligations; restrictions
2422on the establishing of competing projects or facilities;
2423restrictions on the sale or disposal of the assets and property
2424of the District; the priority of assessment liens; the priority
2425of claims by bondholders on the taxing power of the District;
2426the maintenance of deposits to ensure the payment of revenues by
2427users of District facilities and services; the discontinuance of
2428District services by reason of delinquent payments; acceleration
2429upon default; the execution of necessary instruments; the
2430procedure for amending or abrogating covenants with the
2431bondholders; and such other covenants as may be deemed necessary
2432or desirable for the security of the bondholders.
2433     (l)  Validation proceedings.--The power of the District to
2434issue bonds under the provisions of this Act may be determined,
2435and any of the bonds of the District maturing over a period of
2436more than 5 years shall be validated and confirmed, by court
2437decree, under the provisions of chapter 75, Florida Statutes,
2438and laws amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto.
2439     (m)  Tax exemption.--To the extent allowed by general law,
2440all bonds issued hereunder and interest paid thereon and all
2441fees, charges, and other revenues derived by the District from
2442the projects provided by this Act are exempt from all taxes by
2443the state or by any political subdivision, agency, or
2444instrumentality thereof; however, any interest, income, or
2445profits on debt obligations issued hereunder are not exempt from
2446the tax imposed by chapter 220, Florida Statutes. Further, the
2447District is not exempt from the provisions of chapter 212,
2448Florida Statutes.
2449     (n)  Application of section 189.4085, Florida
2450Statutes.--Bonds issued by the District shall meet on the
2451criteria set forth in section 189.4085, Florida Statutes, as
2452amended from time to time.
2453     (o)  Act furnishes full authority for issuance of
2454bonds.--This Act constitutes full and complete authority for the
2455issuance of bonds and the exercise of the powers of the District
2456provided herein. No procedures or proceedings, publications,
2457notices, consents, approvals, orders, acts, or things by the
2458board, or any board, officer, commission, department, agency, or
2459instrumentality of the District, other than those required by
2460this Act, shall be required to perform anything under this Act,
2461except that the issuance or sale of bonds pursuant to the
2462provisions of this Act shall comply with the general law
2463requirements applicable to the issuance or sale of bonds by the
2464District. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize
2465the District to utilize bond proceeds to fund the ongoing
2466operations of the District.
2467     (p)  Pledge by the state to the bondholders of the
2468District.--The state pledges to the holders of any bonds issued
2469under this Act that it will not limit or alter the rights of the
2470District to own, acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve,
2471maintain, operate, or furnish the projects or to levy and
2472collect the taxes, assessments, rentals, rates, fees, and other
2473charges provided for herein and to fulfill the terms of any
2474agreement made with the holders of such bonds or other
2475obligations and that it will not in any way impair the rights or
2476remedies of such holders.
2477     (q)  Default.--A default on the bonds or obligations of a
2478District shall not constitute a debt or obligation of the state
2479or any general purpose local government or the state.
2480     (13)  TRUST AGREEMENTS.--Any issue of bonds shall be
2481secured by a trust agreement by and between the District and a
2482corporate trustee or trustees, which may be any trust company or
2483bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the
2484state. The resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or
2485such trust agreement may pledge the revenues to be received from
2486any projects of the District and may contain such provisions for
2487protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the
2488bondholders as the board may approve, including, without
2489limitation, covenants setting forth the duties of the District
2490in relation to: the acquisition, construction, reconstruction,
2491improvement, maintenance, repair, operation, and insurance of
2492any projects; the fixing and revising of the rates, fees, and
2493charges; and the custody, safeguarding, and application of all
2494moneys and for the employment of consulting engineers in
2495connection with such acquisition, construction, reconstruction,
2496improvement, maintenance, repair, or operation. It shall be
2497lawful for any bank or trust company within or without the state
2498which may act as a depository of the proceeds of bonds or of
2499revenues to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such
2500securities as may be required by the District. Such resolution
2501or trust agreement may set forth the rights and remedies of the
2502bondholders and of the trustee, if any, and may restrict the
2503individual right of action by bondholders. The board may provide
2504for the payment of proceeds of the sale of the bonds and the
2505revenues of any project to such officer, board, or depository as
2506it may designate for the custody thereof and may provide for the
2507method of disbursement thereof with such safeguards and
2508restrictions as it may determine. All expenses incurred in
2509carrying out the provisions of such resolution or trust
2510agreement may be treated as part of the cost of operation of the
2511project to which such trust agreement pertains.
2512     (14)  AD VALOREM TAXES; ASSESSMENTS, BENEFIT SPECIAL
2513ASSESSMENTS, MAINTENANCE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, AND SPECIAL
2514ASSESSMENTS; MAINTENANCE TAXES.--
2515     (a)  Ad valorem taxes.--An elected board shall have the
2516power to levy and assess an ad valorem tax on all the taxable
2517property in the District to construct, operate, and maintain
2518assessable improvements; to pay the principal of, and interest
2519on, any general obligation bonds of the District; and to provide
2520for any sinking or other funds established in connection with
2521any such bonds. An ad valorem tax levied by the board for
2522operating purposes, exclusive of debt service on bonds, shall
2523not exceed 3 mills. The ad valorem tax provided for herein shall
2524be in addition to county and all other ad valorem taxes provided
2525for by law. Such tax shall be assessed, levied, and collected in
2526the same manner and same time as county taxes. The levy of ad
2527valorem taxes shall be approved by referendum when required by
2528the State Constitution.
2529     (b)  Benefit special assessments.--The board annually shall
2530determine, order, and levy the annual installment of the total
2531benefit special assessments for bonds issued and related
2532expenses to finance assessable improvements. These assessments
2533may be due and collected during each year that county taxes are
2534due and collected, in which case such annual installment and
2535levy shall be evidenced to and certified to the property
2536appraiser by the board not later than August 31 of each year.
2537Such assessment shall be entered by the property appraiser on
2538the county tax rolls and shall be collected and enforced by the
2539tax collector in the same manner and at the same time as county
2540taxes, and the proceeds thereof shall be paid to the District.
2541However, this subsection shall not prohibit the District in its
2542discretion from using the method prescribed in either section
2543197.3632 or chapter 173, Florida Statutes, as each may be
2544amended from time to time, for collecting and enforcing these
2545assessments. Each annual installment of benefit special
2546assessments shall be a lien on the property against which
2547assessed until paid and shall be enforceable in like manner as
2548county taxes. The amount of the assessment for the exercise of
2549the District's powers under subsections (8) and (9) shall be
2550determined by the board based upon a report of the District's
2551engineer and assessed by the board upon such lands, which may be
2552part or all of the lands within the District benefited by the
2553improvement, apportioned between benefited lands in proportion
2554to the benefits received by each tract of land. The board may,
2555if it determines it is in the best interests of the District,
2556set forth in the proceedings initially levying such benefit
2557special assessments or in subsequent proceedings a formula for
2558the determination of an amount, which when paid by a taxpayer
2559with respect to any tax parcel, shall constitute a prepayment of
2560all future annual installments of such benefit special
2561assessments and that the payment of which amount with respect to
2562such tax parcel shall relieve and discharge such tax parcel of
2563the lien of such benefit special assessments and any subsequent
2564annual installment thereof. The board may provide further that
2565upon delinquency in the payment of any annual installment of
2566benefit special assessments, the prepayment amount of all future
2567annual installments of benefit special assessments as determined
2568in the preceding sentence shall be and become immediately due
2569and payable together with such delinquent annual installment.
2570     (c)  Non-ad valorem maintenance taxes.--If and when
2571authorized by general law, to maintain and to preserve the
2572physical facilities and services constituting the works,
2573improvements, or infrastructure provided by the District
2574pursuant to this Act, to repair and restore any one or more of
2575them, when needed, and to defray the current expenses of the
2576District, including any sum which may be required to pay state
2577and county ad valorem taxes on any lands which may have been
2578purchased and which are held by the District under the
2579provisions of this Act, the Board of Supervisors may, upon the
2580completion of said systems, facilities, services, works,
2581improvements, or infrastructure, in whole or in part, as may be
2582certified to the board by the engineer of the board, levy
2583annually a non-ad valorem and non-millage tax upon each tract or
2584parcel of land within the District, to be known as a
2585"maintenance tax." This non-ad valorem maintenance tax shall be
2586apportioned upon the basis of the net assessments of benefits
2587assessed as accruing from the original construction and shall be
2588evidence to, and certified by, the Board of Supervisors of the
2589District not later than June 1 of each year to the property
2590appraiser of Collier County and shall be extended by the
2591property appraiser on the tax roll of the property appraiser, as
2592certified by the property appraiser to the tax collector, and
2593collected by the tax collector on the merged collection roll of
2594the tax collector in the same manner and time as county ad
2595valorem taxes, and the proceeds therefrom shall be paid to the
2596District. This non-ad valorem maintenance tax shall be a lien
2597until paid on the property against which assessed and
2598enforceable in like manner and of the same dignity as county ad
2599valorem taxes.
2600     (d)  Maintenance special assessments.--To maintain and
2601preserve the facilities and projects of the District, the board
2602may levy a maintenance special assessment. This assessment may
2603be evidenced to and certified to the property appraiser by the
2604Board of Supervisors not later than August 31 of each year and
2605shall be entered by the property appraiser on the county tax
2606rolls and shall be collected and enforced by the tax collector
2607in the same manner and at the same time as county taxes, and the
2608proceeds therefrom shall be paid to the District. However, this
2609subsection shall not prohibit the District in its discretion
2610from using the method prescribed in either section 197.363.,
2611section 197.3631, or section 197.3632, Florida Statutes, as any
2612one or more may be amended from time to time, for collecting and
2613enforcing these assessments. These maintenance special
2614assessments shall be a lien on the property against which
2615assessed until paid and shall be enforceable in like manner as
2616county taxes. The amount of the maintenance special assessment
2617for the exercise of the District's powers under this section
2618shall be determined by the board based upon a report of the
2619District's engineer and assessed by the board upon such lands,
2620which may be all of the lands within the District benefited by
2621the maintenance thereof, apportioned between the benefited lands
2622in proportion to the benefits received by each tract of land.
2623     (e)  Special assessments.--To levy and impose any special
2624assessments pursuant to subsection (15).
2625     (f)  Enforcement of taxes.--The collection and enforcement
2626of all taxes levied by the District shall be at the same time
2627and in like manner as county taxes, and the provisions of the
2628Florida Statutes relating to the sale of lands for unpaid and
2629delinquent county taxes; the issuance, sale, and delivery of tax
2630certificates for such unpaid and delinquent county taxes; the
2631redemption thereof; the issuance to individuals of tax deeds
2632based thereon; and all other procedures in connection therewith
2633shall be applicable to the District to the same extent as if
2634such statutory provisions were expressly set forth herein. All
2635taxes shall be subject to the same discounts as county taxes.
2636     (g)  When unpaid tax is delinquent; penalty.--All taxes
2637provided for in this Act shall become delinquent and bear
2638penalties on the amount of such taxes in the same manner as
2639county taxes.
2640     (h)  Status of assessments.--Benefit special assessments,
2641maintenance special assessments, and special assessments are
2642hereby found and determined to be non-ad valorem assessments as
2643defined by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Maintenance taxes
2644are non-ad valorem taxes and are not special assessments.
2645     (i)  Assessments constitute liens; collection.--Any and all
2646assessments including special assessments, benefit special
2647assessments and maintenance special assessments authorized by
2648this section, and including special assessments as defined by
2649section 2(6)(aa) and granted and authorized by this subsection,
2650and including maintenance taxes if authorized by general law,
2651shall constitute a lien on the property against which assessed
2652from the date of levy and imposition thereof until paid, coequal
2653with the lien of state, county, municipal, and school board
2654taxes. These assessments may be collected, at the District's
2655discretion, under authority of section 197.3631, Florida
2656Statutes, as amended from time to time, by the tax collector
2657pursuant to the provisions of sections 197.3632 and 197.3635,
2658Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, or in accordance
2659with other collection measures provided by law.  In addition to,
2660and not in limitation of any powers otherwise set forth herein
2661or in general law, these assessments may also be enforced
2662pursuant to the provisions of chapter 173, Florida Statutes, as
2663amended from time to time.
2664     (j)  Land owned by governmental entity.--Except as
2665otherwise provided by law, no levy of ad valorem taxes or non-ad
2666valorem assessments under this Act or chapter 170 or chapter
2667197, Florida Statutes, as each may be amended from time to time,
2668or otherwise, by a board of a District, on property of a
2669governmental entity that is subject to a ground lease as
2670described in section 190.003(13), Florida Statutes, as amended
2671from time to time, shall constitute a lien or encumbrance on the
2672underlying fee interest of such governmental entity.
2673     (15)  SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.--
2674     (a)  As an alternative method to the levy and imposition of
2675special assessments pursuant to chapter 170, Florida Statutes,
2676as amended from time to time, pursuant to the authority of
2677section 197.3631, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to
2678time, or pursuant to other provisions of general law, now or
2679hereinafter enacted, which provide a supplemental means or
2680authority to impose, levy, and collect special assessments as
2681otherwise authorized under this Act, the board may levy and
2682impose special assessments to finance the exercise of any of its
2683powers permitted under this Act using the following uniform
2684procedures:
2685     1.  At a noticed meeting consider and review an engineer's
2686report on the costs of the systems, facilities, and services to
2687be provided, a preliminary assessment methodology, and a
2688preliminary roll based on acreage or platted lands, depending
2689upon whether platting has occurred.
2690     2.  The assessment methodology shall address and discuss
2691and the board shall consider whether the systems, facilities,
2692and services being contemplated will result in special benefits
2693peculiar to the property, different in kind and degree than
2694general benefits, as a logical connection between the systems,
2695facilities, and services themselves and the property, and
2696whether the duty to pay the assessments by the property owners
2697is apportioned in a manner that is fair and equitable and not in
2698excess of the special benefit received.  It shall be fair and
2699equitable to designate a fixed proportion of the annual debt
2700service, together with interest thereon, on the aggregate
2701principal amount of bonds issued to finance such systems,
2702facilities, and services which give rise to unique, special, and
2703peculiar benefits to property of the same or similar
2704characteristics under the assessment methodology so long as such
2705fixed proportion does not exceed the unique, special, and
2706peculiar benefits enjoyed by such property from such systems,
2707facilities, and services.
2708     3.  The engineer's cost report shall identify the nature of
2709the proposed systems, facilities, and services, their location,
2710a cost breakdown plus a total estimated cost, including cost of
2711construction or reconstruction, labor, and materials, lands,
2712property, rights, easements, franchises, or systems, facilities,
2713and services to be acquired, cost of plans and specifications,
2714surveys of estimates of costs and revenues, cost of engineering,
2715legal and other professional consultation services, and other
2716expenses or costs necessary or incident to determining the
2717feasibility or practicability of such construction,
2718reconstruction, or acquisition, administrative expenses,
2719relationship to the authority and power of the District in its
2720charter, and such other expense or costs as may be necessary or
2721incident to the financing to be authorized by the Board of
2722Supervisors.
2723     4.  The preliminary assessment roll to be prepared will be
2724in accordance with the method of assessment provided for in the
2725assessment methodology and as may be adopted by the Board of
2726Supervisors; the assessment roll shall be completed as promptly
2727as possible and shall show the acreage, lots, lands, or plats
2728assessed and the amount of the fairly and reasonably apportioned
2729assessment based on special and peculiar benefit to the
2730property, lot, parcel, or acreage of land and, if the assessment
2731against each such lot, parcel, acreage, or portion of land is to
2732be paid in installments, the number of annual installments in
2733which the assessment is divided shall be entered into and shown
2734upon the assessment roll.
2735     5.  The Board of Supervisors of the District may determine
2736and declare by an initial assessment resolution to levy and
2737assess the assessments with respect to assessable improvements
2738stating the nature of the systems, facilities, and services,
2739improvements, projects, or infrastructure constituting such
2740assessable improvements, the information in the engineer's cost
2741report, the information in the assessment methodology as
2742determined by the board at the noticed meeting and referencing
2743and incorporating as part of the resolution the engineer's cost
2744report, the preliminary assessment methodology, and the
2745preliminary assessment roll as referenced exhibits to the
2746resolution by reference; if the board determines to declare and
2747levy the special assessments by the initial assessment
2748resolution, the board shall also adopt and declare a notice
2749resolution which shall provide and cause the initial assessment
2750resolution to be published once a week for a period of 2 weeks
2751in a newspaper of general circulation published in Collier
2752County and said board shall by the same resolution fix a time
2753and place at which the owner or owners of the property to be
2754assessed or any other persons interested therein may appear
2755before said board and be heard as to the propriety and
2756advisability of making such improvements, as to the costs
2757thereof, as to the manner of payment therefore, and as to the
2758amount thereof to be assessed against each property so improved.
2759Thirty days' notice in writing of such time and place shall be
2760given to such property owners.  The notice shall include the
2761amount of the assessment and shall be served by mailing a copy
2762to each assessed property owner at his or her last known
2763address, the names and addresses of such property owners to be
2764obtained from the record of the property appraiser of the county
2765political subdivision where the land is located or from such
2766other sources as the District Manager or engineer deems
2767reliable, and proof of such mailing shall be made by the
2768affidavit of the manager of the District or by the engineer,
2769said proof to be filed with the District Manager, provided that
2770failure to mail said notice or notices shall not invalidate any
2771of the proceedings hereunder. It is provided further that the
2772last publication shall be at least 1 week prior to the date of
2773the hearing on the final assessment resolution.  Said notice
2774shall describe the general areas to be improved and advise all
2775person interested that the description of each property to be
2776assessed and the amount to be assessed to each piece, parcel,
2777lot, or acre of property may be ascertained at the office of the
2778manager of the District. Such service by publication shall be
2779verified by the affidavit of the publisher and filed with the
2780manager of the District. Moreover, the initial assessment
2781resolution with its attached, referenced, and incorporated
2782engineer's cost report, preliminary assessment methodology, and
2783preliminary assessment roll, along with the notice resolution,
2784shall be available for public inspection at the office of the
2785manager and the office of the engineer or any other office
2786designated by the Board of Supervisors in the notice resolution.
2787Notwithstanding the foregoing, the landowners of all of the
2788property which is proposed to be assessed may give the District
2789written notice of waiver of any notice and publication provided
2790for in this subparagraph and such notice and publication shall
2791not be required; provided, however, that any meeting of the
2792Board of Supervisors to consider such resolution shall be a
2793publicly noticed meeting.
2794     6.  At the time and place named in the noticed resolution
2795as provided for in subparagraph 5., the Board of Supervisors of
2796the District shall meet and hear testimony from affected
2797property owners as to the propriety and advisability of making
2798the systems, facilities, services, projects, works,
2799improvements, or infrastructure and funding them with
2800assessments referenced in the initial assessment resolution on
2801the property. Following the testimony and questions from the
2802members of the board or any professional advisors to the
2803District of the preparers of the engineer's cost report, the
2804assessment methodology, and the assessment roll, the Board of
2805Supervisors shall make a final decision on whether to levy and
2806assess the particular assessments. Thereafter, the Board of
2807Supervisors shall meet as an equalizing board to hear and to
2808consider any and all complaints as to the particular assessments
2809and shall adjust and equalize the assessments on the basis of
2810justice and right.
2811     7.  When so equalized and approved by resolution or
2812ordinance by the Board of Supervisors, to be called the final
2813assessment resolution, a final assessment roll shall be filed
2814with the clerk of the board and such assessment shall stand
2815confirmed and remain legal, valid, and binding first liens on
2816the property against which such assessments are made until paid,
2817equal in dignity to the first liens of ad valorem taxation of
2818county governments and school boards; however, upon completion
2819of the systems, facilities, service, project, improvement,
2820works, or infrastructure, the District shall credit to each of
2821the assessments the difference in the assessment as originally
2822made, approved, levied, assessed, and confirmed and the
2823proportionate part of the actual cost of the improvement to be
2824paid by the particular special assessments as finally determined
2825upon the completion of the improvement, but in no event shall
2826the final assessment exceed the amount of the special and
2827peculiar benefits as apportioned fairly and reasonably to the
2828property from the system, facility, or service being provided as
2829originally assessed.  Promptly after such confirmation, the
2830assessment shall be recorded by the clerk of the District in the
2831minutes of the proceedings of the District and the record of the
2832lien in this set of minutes shall constitute prima facie
2833evidence of its validity.  The Board of Supervisors, in its sole
2834discretion, may, by resolution grant a discount equal to all or
2835a part of the payee's proportionate share of the cost of the
2836project consisting of bond financing cost, such as capitalized
2837interest, funded reserves, and bond discounts included in the
2838estimated cost of the project, upon payment in full of any
2839assessments during such period prior to the time such financing
2840costs are incurred as may be specified by the Board of
2841Supervisors in such resolution.
2842     8.  District assessments may be made payable in
2843installments over no more than 30 years from the date of the
2844payment of the first installment thereof and may bear interest
2845at fixed or variable rates.
2846     (b)  Notwithstanding any provision of this Act or chapter
2847170 or section 170.09, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to
2848time, which provide that assessments may be paid without
2849interest at any time within 30 days after the improvement is
2850completed and a resolution accepting the same has been adopted
2851by the governing authority, shall not be applicable to any
2852District assessments, whether imposed, levied, and collected
2853pursuant to the provisions of this Act or other provisions of
2854Florida law, including, but not limited to chapter 170, Florida
2855Statutes.
2856     (c)  In addition, the District is authorized expressly in
2857the exercise of its rulemaking power to promulgate a rule or
2858rules which provides or provide for notice, levy, imposition,
2859equalization, and collection of assessments.
2860     (16)  ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS BASED ON
2861ASSESSMENTS FOR ASSESSABLE IMPROVEMENTS; ASSESSMENT BONDS.--
2862     (a)  The board may, after any special assessments or
2863benefit special assessments for assessable improvements are
2864made, determined, and confirmed as provided in this Act, issue
2865certificates of indebtedness for the amount so assessed against
2866the abutting property or property otherwise benefited, as the
2867case may be, and separate certificates shall be issued against
2868each part or parcel of land or property assessed, which
2869certificates shall state the general nature of the improvement
2870for which the assessment is made. The certificates shall be
2871payable in annual installments in accordance with the
2872installments of the special assessment for which they are
2873issued. The board may determine the interest to be borne by such
2874certificates, not to exceed the maximum rate allowed by general
2875law, and may sell such certificates at either private or public
2876sale and determine the form, manner of execution, and other
2877details of such certificates. The certificates shall recite that
2878they are payable only from the special assessments levied and
2879collected from the part or parcel of land or property against
2880which they are issued. The proceeds of such certificates may be
2881pledged for the payment of principal of and interest on any
2882revenue bonds or general obligation bonds issued to finance in
2883whole or in part such assessable improvement, or, if not so
2884pledged, may be used to pay the cost or part of the cost of such
2885assessable improvements.
2886     (b)  The District may also issue assessment bonds, revenue
2887bonds, or other obligations payable from a special fund into
2888which such certificates of indebtedness referred to in the
2889preceding subsection may be deposited or, if such certificates
2890of indebtedness have not been issued, the District may assign to
2891such special fund for the benefit of the holders of such
2892assessment bonds or other obligations, or to a trustee for such
2893bondholders, the assessment liens provided for in this Act
2894unless such certificates of indebtedness or assessment liens
2895have been theretofore pledged for any bonds or other obligations
2896authorized hereunder. In the event of the creation of such
2897special fund and the issuance of such assessment bonds or other
2898obligations, the proceeds of such certificates of indebtedness
2899or assessment liens deposited therein shall be used only for the
2900payment of the assessment bonds or other obligations issued as
2901provided in this section. The District is authorized to covenant
2902with the holders of such assessment bonds, revenue bonds, or
2903other obligations that it will diligently and faithfully enforce
2904and collect all the special assessments, and interest and
2905penalties thereon, for which such certificates of indebtedness
2906or assessment liens have been deposited in or assigned to such
2907fund; to foreclose such assessment liens so assigned to such
2908special fund or represented by the certificates of indebtedness
2909deposited in the special fund, after such assessment liens have
2910become delinquent, and deposit the proceeds derived from such
2911foreclosure, including interest and penalties, in such special
2912fund; and to make any other covenants deemed necessary or
2913advisable in order to properly secure the holders of such
2914assessment bonds or other obligations.
2915     (c)  The assessment bonds, revenue bonds, or other
2916obligations issued pursuant to this section shall have such
2917dates of issue and maturity as shall be deemed advisable by the
2918board; however, the maturities of such assessment bonds or other
2919obligations shall not be more than 2 years after the due date of
2920the last installment which will be payable on any of the special
2921assessments for which such assessment liens, or the certificates
2922of indebtedness representing such assessment liens, are assigned
2923to or deposited in such special fund.
2924     (d)  Such assessment bonds, revenue bonds, or other
2925obligations issued under this section shall bear such interest
2926as the board may determine, not to exceed the maximum rate
2927allowed by general law, and shall be executed, shall have such
2928provisions for redemption prior to maturity, shall be sold in
2929the manner, and shall be subject to all of the applicable
2930provisions contained in this Act for revenue bonds, except as
2931the same may be inconsistent with the provisions of this
2932section.
2933     (e)  All assessment bonds, revenue bonds, or other
2934obligations issued under the provisions of this section shall
2935be, shall constitute, and shall have all the qualities and
2936incidents of negotiable instruments under the law merchant and
2937the laws of the state.
2938     (17)  TAX LIENS.--All taxes of the District provided for in
2939this Act, except together with all penalties for default in the
2940payment of the same and all costs in collecting the same,
2941including a reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the court and
2942taxed as a cost in the action brought to enforce payment, shall,
2943from January 1 for each year the property is liable to
2944assessment and until paid, constitute a lien of equal dignity
2945with the liens for state and county taxes and other taxes of
2946equal dignity with state and county taxes upon all the lands
2947against which such taxes shall be levied. A sale of any of the
2948real property within the District for state and county or other
2949taxes shall not operate to relieve or release the property so
2950sold from the lien for subsequent District taxes or installments
2951of District taxes, which lien may be enforced against such
2952property as though no such sale thereof had been made. In
2953addition to, and not in limitation of, the preceding sentence,
2954for purposes of section 197.552, Florida Statutes, as amended
2955from time to time, the lien of all special assessments levied by
2956the district shall constitute a lien of record held by a
2957municipal or county governmental unit. The provisions of
2958sections 194.171, 197.122, 197.333, and 197.432, Florida
2959Statutes, as each may be amended from time to time, shall be
2960applicable to District taxes with the same force and effect as
2961if such provisions were expressly set forth in this Act.
2962     (18)  PAYMENT OF TAXES AND REDEMPTION OF TAX LIENS BY THE
2963DISTRICT; SHARING IN PROCEEDS OF TAX SALE.--
2964     (a)  The District shall have the power and right to:
2965     1.  Pay any delinquent state, county, District, municipal,
2966or other tax or assessment upon lands located wholly or
2967partially within the boundaries of the District; and
2968     2.  Redeem or purchase any tax sales certificates issued or
2969sold on account of any state, county, District, municipal, or
2970other taxes or assessments upon lands located wholly or
2971partially within the boundaries of the District.
2972     (b)  Delinquent taxes paid, or tax sales certificates
2973redeemed or purchased, by the District, together with all
2974penalties for the default in payment of the same and all costs
2975in collecting the same and a reasonable attorney's fee, shall
2976constitute a lien in favor of the District of equal dignity with
2977the liens of state and county taxes and other taxes of equal
2978dignity with state and county taxes upon all the real property
2979against which the taxes were levied. The lien of the District
2980may be foreclosed in the manner provided in this Act.
2981     (c)  In any sale of land pursuant to section 197.542,
2982Florida Statutes, as may be amended from time to time, the
2983District may certify to the clerk of the circuit court of the
2984county holding such sale the amount of taxes due to the District
2985upon the lands sought to be sold, and the District shall share
2986in the disbursement of the sales proceeds in accordance with the
2987provisions of this Act and under the laws of the state.
2988     (19)  FORECLOSURE OF LIENS.--Any lien in favor of the
2989District arising under this Act may be foreclosed by the
2990District by foreclosure proceedings in the name of the District
2991in a court of competent jurisdiction as provided by general law
2992in like manner as is provided in chapter 173, Florida Statutes,
2993and amendments thereto and the provisions of that chapter shall
2994be applicable to such proceedings with the same force and effect
2995as if those provisions were expressly set forth in this Act. Any
2996act required or authorized to be done by or on behalf of a
2997municipality in foreclosure proceedings under chapter 173,
2998Florida Statutes, may be performed by such officer or agent of
2999the District as the Board of Supervisors may designate. Such
3000foreclosure proceedings may be brought at any time after the
3001expiration of 1 year from the date any tax, or installment
3002thereof, becomes delinquent; however, no lien shall be
3003foreclosed against any political subdivision or agency of the
3004state. Other legal remedies shall remain available.
3005     (20)  MANDATORY USE OF CERTAIN DISTRICT SYSTEMS,
3006FACILITIES, AND SERVICES.--To the full extent permitted by law,
3007the District shall require all lands, buildings, premises,
3008persons, firms, and corporations within the District to use the
3009water management and control facilities and water and sewer
3010facilities of the District.
3011     (21)  COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT; BIDS; NEGOTIATIONS; RELATED
3012PROVISIONS REQUIRED.--
3013     (a)  No contract shall be let by the board for any goods,
3014supplies, or materials to be purchased when the amount thereof
3015to be paid by the District shall exceed the amount provided in
3016section 287.017, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time,
3017for category four, unless notice of bids shall be advertised
3018once in a newspaper in general circulation in Collier County.
3019Any board seeking to construct or improve a public building,
3020structure, or other public works shall comply with the bidding
3021procedures of section 255.20, Florida Statutes, as amended from
3022time to time, and other applicable general law. In each case,
3023the bid of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder shall be
3024accepted unless all bids are rejected because the bids are too
3025high, or the board determines it is in the best interests of the
3026District to reject all bids. The board may require the bidders
3027to furnish bond with a responsible surety to be approved by the
3028board. Nothing in this section shall prevent the board from
3029undertaking and performing the construction, operation, and
3030maintenance of any project or facility authorized by this Act by
3031the employment of labor, material, and machinery.
3032     (b)  The provisions of the Consultants' Competitive
3033Negotiation Act, section 287.055, Florida Statutes, as amended
3034from time to time, apply to contracts for engineering,
3035architecture, landscape architecture, or registered surveying
3036and mapping services let by the board.
3037     (c)  Contracts for maintenance services for any District
3038facility or project shall be subject to competitive bidding
3039requirements when the amount thereof to be paid by the District
3040exceeds the amount provided in section 287.017, Florida
3041Statutes, as amended from time to time, for category four. The
3042District shall adopt rules, policies, or procedures establishing
3043competitive bidding procedures for maintenance services.
3044Contracts for other services shall not be subject to competitive
3045bidding unless the District adopts a rule, policy, or procedure
3046applying competitive bidding procedures to said contracts.
3047     (22)  FEES, RENTALS, AND CHARGES; PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION
3048AND MODIFICATIONS; MINIMUM REVENUE REQUIREMENTS.--
3049     (a)  The District is authorized to prescribe, fix,
3050establish, and collect rates, fees, rentals, or other charges,
3051hereinafter sometimes referred to as "revenues," and to revise
3052the same from time to time, for the systems, facilities, and
3053services furnished by the District, within the limits of the
3054District, including, but not limited to, recreational
3055facilities, water management and control facilities, and water
3056and sewer systems; to recover the costs of making connection
3057with any District service, facility, or system; and to provide
3058for reasonable penalties against any user or property for any
3059such rates, fees, rentals, or other charges that are delinquent.
3060     (b)  No such rates, fees, rentals, or other charges for any
3061of the facilities or services of the District shall be fixed
3062until after a public hearing at which all the users of the
3063proposed facility or services or owners, tenants, or occupants
3064served or to be served thereby and all other interested persons
3065shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed
3066rates, fees, rentals, or other charges. Rates, fees, rentals,
3067and other charges shall be adopted under the administrative
3068rulemaking authority of the District, but shall not apply to
3069District leases. Notice of such public hearing setting forth the
3070proposed schedule or schedules of rates, fees, rentals, and
3071other charges shall have been published in a newspaper of
3072general circulation in Collier County at least once and at least
307310 days prior to such public hearing. The rulemaking hearing may
3074be adjourned from time to time. After such hearing, such
3075schedule or schedules, either as initially proposed or as
3076modified or amended, may be finally adopted. A copy of the
3077schedule or schedules of such rates, fees, rentals, or charges
3078as finally adopted shall be kept on file in an office designated
3079by the board and shall be open at all reasonable times to public
3080inspection. The rates, fees, rentals, or charges so fixed for
3081any class of users or property served shall be extended to cover
3082any additional users or properties thereafter served which shall
3083fall in the same class, without the necessity of any notice or
3084hearing.
3085     (c)  Such rates, fees, rentals, and charges shall be just
3086and equitable and uniform for users of the same class, and when
3087appropriate may be based or computed either upon the amount of
3088service furnished, upon the number of average number of persons
3089residing or working in or otherwise occupying the premises
3090served, or upon any other factor affecting the use of the
3091facilities furnished, or upon any combination of the foregoing
3092factors, as may be determined by the board on an equitable
3093basis.
3094     (d)  The rates, fees, rentals, or other charges prescribed
3095shall be such as will produce revenues, together with any other
3096assessments, taxes, revenues, or funds available or pledged for
3097such purpose, at least sufficient to provide for the items
3098hereinafter listed, but not necessarily in the order stated:
3099     1.  To provide for all expenses of operation and
3100maintenance of such facility or service;
3101     2.  To pay when due all bonds and interest thereon for the
3102payment of which such revenues are, or shall have been, pledged
3103or encumbered, including reserves for such purpose; and
3104     3.  To provide for any other funds which may be required
3105under the resolution or resolutions authorizing the issuance of
3106bonds pursuant to this Act.
3107     (e)  The board shall have the power to enter into contracts
3108for the use of the projects of the District and with respect to
3109the services, systems, and facilities furnished or to be
3110furnished by the District.
3111     (23)  RECOVERY OF DELINQUENT CHARGES.--In the event that
3112any rates, fees, rentals, charges, or delinquent penalties shall
3113not be paid as and when due and shall be in default for 60 days
3114or more, the unpaid balance thereof and all interest accrued
3115thereon, together with reasonable attorney's fees and costs, may
3116be recovered by the District in a civil action.
3117     (24)  DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE.--In the event the fees,
3118rentals, or other charges for water and sewer services, or
3119either of them, are not paid when due, the board shall have the
3120power, under such reasonable rules and regulations as the board
3121may adopt, to discontinue and shut off both water and sewer
3122services until such fees, rentals, or other charges, including
3123interest, penalties, and charges for the shutting off and
3124discontinuance and the restoration of such water and sewer
3125services or both, are fully paid; and, for such purposes, the
3126board may enter on any lands, waters, or premises of any person,
3127firm, corporation, or body, public or private, within the
3128District limits. Such delinquent fees, rentals, or other
3129charges, together with interest, penalties, and charges for the
3130shutting off and discontinuance and the restoration of such
3131services and facilities and reasonable attorney's fees and other
3132expenses, may be recovered by the District, which may also
3133enforce payment of such delinquent fees, rentals, or other
3134charges by any other lawful method of enforcement.
3135     (25)  ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.--The board or any
3136aggrieved person may have recourse to such remedies in law and
3137at equity as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the
3138provisions of this Act, including injunctive relief to enjoin or
3139restrain any person violating the provisions of this Act or any
3140bylaws, resolutions, regulations, rules, codes, or orders
3141adopted under this Act. In case any building or structure is
3142erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired,
3143converted, or maintained, or any building, structure, land, or
3144water is used, in violation of this Act or of any code, order,
3145resolution, or other regulation made under authority conferred
3146by this Act or under law, the board or any citizen residing in
3147the District may institute any appropriate action or proceeding
3148to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction,
3149alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use; to
3150restrain, correct, or avoid such violation; to prevent the
3151occupancy of such building, structure, land, or water; and to
3152prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about
3153such premises, land, or water.
3154     (26)  SUITS AGAINST THE DISTRICT.--Any suit or action
3155brought or maintained against the District for damages arising
3156out of tort, including, without limitation, any claim arising
3157upon account of an act causing an injury or loss of property,
3158personal injury, or death, shall be subject to the limitations
3159provided in section 768.28, Florida Statutes, as amended from
3160time to time.
3161     (27)  EXEMPTION OF DISTRICT PROPERTY FROM EXECUTION.--All
3162District property shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue
3163of an execution, and no execution or other judicial process
3164shall issue against such property, nor shall any judgment
3165against the District be a charge or lien on its property or
3166revenues; however, nothing contained herein shall apply to or
3167limit the rights of bondholders to pursue any remedy for the
3168enforcement of any lien or pledge given by the District in
3169connection with any of the bonds or obligations of the District.
3170     (28)  TERMINATION, CONTRACTION, OR EXPANSION OF DISTRICT.--
3171     (a)  The board may ask the Legislature through its local
3172legislative delegation in and for Collier County to amend this
3173Act to contract, to expand or to contract, and to expand the
3174boundaries of the District by amendment of this section.
3175     (b)  The District shall remain in existence until:
3176     1.  The District is terminated and dissolved pursuant to
3177amendment to this Act by the Florida Legislature.
3178     2.  The District has become inactive pursuant to section
3179189.4044, Florida Statutes.
3180     (29)  INCLUSION OF TERRITORY.--The inclusion of any or all
3181territory of the District within a municipality does not change,
3182alter, or affect the boundary, territory, existence, or
3183jurisdiction of the District.
3184     (30)  SALE OF REAL ESTATE WITHIN A DISTRICT; REQUIRED
3185DISCLOSURE TO PURCHASER.--Subsequent to the creation of this
3186District under this Act, each contract for the initial sale of a
3187parcel of real property and each contract for the initial sale
3188of a residential unit within the District shall include,
3189immediately prior to the space reserved in the contract for the
3190signature of the purchaser, the following disclosure statement
3191in boldfaced and conspicuous type which is larger than the type
3192in the remaining text of the contract: "THE AVE MARIA
3193STEWARDSHIP COMMUNITY DISTRICT MAY IMPOSE AND LEVY TAXES OR
3194ASSESSMENTS, OR BOTH TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS, ON THIS PROPERTY.
3195THESE TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS PAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION,
3196AND MAINTENANCE COSTS OF CERTAIN PUBLIC SYSTEMS, FACILITIES AND
3197SERVICES OF THE DISTRICT AND ARE SET ANNUALLY BY THE GOVERNING
3198BOARD OF THE DISTRICT. THESE TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS ARE IN
3199ADDITION TO COUNTY AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL TAXES AND
3200ASSESSMENTS AND ALL OTHER TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS PROVIDED FOR BY
3201LAW."
3202     (31)  NOTICE OF CREATION AND ESTABLISHMENT.--Within 30 days
3203after the election of the first Board of Supervisors creating
3204this District, the District shall cause to be recorded in the
3205grantor-grantee index of the property records in the county in
3206which it is located a "Notice of Creation and Establishment of
3207the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District." The notice shall,
3208at a minimum, include the legal description of the property of
3209the landowners who have consented to establishment of this
3210District and a copy of the disclosure statement specified in
3211subsection (30).
3212     (32)  Any system, facility, service, works, improvement,
3213project, or other infrastructure owned by the District, or
3214funded by federal tax exempt bonding issued by the District, is
3215public; the District by rule may regulate, and may impose
3216reasonable charges or fees for, the use thereof but not to the
3217extent that such regulation or imposition of such charges or
3218fees constitutes denial of reasonable access.
3219     Section 5.  SEVERABLITY.--If any provision of this Act is
3220determined unconstitutional or otherwise determined invalid by a
3221court of law, all the rest and remainder of the Act shall remain
3222in full force and effect as the law of Florida.
3223     Section 6.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


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