HB 1413

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to Argyle Fire District, Walton County;
3creating a special district; providing definitions;
4providing for creation, status, charter amendments,
5boundaries, and purposes; providing for a board of
6commissioners; providing for election and terms of
7commissioners; providing for employment of board
8personnel; providing for election of board officers;
9providing for compensation and bonds of commissioners;
10providing for powers, duties, and responsibilities of the
11board; preserving the authority to levy non-ad valorem
12special assessments; providing for impact fees;
13authorizing the board to levy special assessments;
14providing legislative intent; providing for duties of the
15property appraiser; providing for special assessment as a
16lien; providing for deposit of such special assessments;
17providing for authority to disburse funds; authorizing the
18board to borrow money; providing for use of district
19funds; requiring a record of all board meetings;
20authorizing the board to adopt rules and regulations;
21providing for the board to make an annual budget;
22requiring an annual report; authorizing the board to enact
23fire prevention ordinances, appoint a district fire chief,
24acquire land, enter contracts, establish salaries, and
25establish and operate a fire rescue service; providing for
26district authority upon annexation of district lands;
27providing for dissolution; providing immunity from tort
28liability for officers, agents, and employees; providing
29for district expansion; providing for construction and
30effect; providing an effective date.
31
32Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
33
34     Section 1.  Argyle Fire District is hereby created and the
35charter for the district is created to read:
36     Section 1.  Definitions.--As used in the act, unless
37otherwise specified:
38     (1)  "District" means the Argyle Fire District.
39     (2)  "Board" means the board of commissioners created
40pursuant to this act and chapter 191, Florida Statutes.
41     (3)  "Board of directors" means the existing policymaking
42and governing body of the Argyle Fire District of Walton County.
43     (4)  "Commissioner" means a member of the board of
44commissioners of and for the district.
45     (5)  "Director" means a member of the board of directors.
46     (6)  "Residence" means one single-family dwelling,
47including one single-apartment dwelling unit; one single-
48condominium dwelling unit; one single duplex, triplex, or other
49attached dwelling unit; one single-family detached dwelling
50unit; or one single mobile or modular home dwelling unit.
51     (7)  "Business" means motels, apartments, or rental
52dwellings, along with other standard commercial or industrial
53businesses such as gasoline stations, stores, marinas, and
54similar establishments, as authorized pursuant to the applicable
55local government comprehensive plan, whether or not such
56businesses are required to pay or collect sales taxes.
57     Section 2.  Creation; status; charter amendments;
58boundaries; district purposes.--There is hereby created an
59independent special fire control district and rescue service
60district incorporating lands in Walton County described in
61subsection (1) which shall be a public corporation having the
62powers, duties, obligations, and immunities herein set forth
63under the name of the Argyle Fire District. The district is
64organized and exists for all purposes and shall hold all powers
65set forth in this act and chapters 189 and 191, Florida
66Statutes.
67     (1)  The lands to be included within the district are the
68following described lands in Walton County:
69Those portions in Township 2 North, Range 18 West
70which include, entire sections 1 through 24 inclusive.
71Sections 26 through 29 inclusive. Sections 33 through
7235 inclusive. And all of Sections 30 and 32 lying East
73of the center of Bruce Creek.
74Those portions within Township 2 North, Range 19 West
75which include, Sections 13 and 24 lying East of the
76center of Bruce Creek. Sections 1 and 2 lying outside
77of the present city limits of DeFuniak Springs.
78Those portions in Township 3 North, Range 18 West
79which include, Sections 4 though 9 inclusive. Sections
8016 through 21 inclusive. Sections 28 through 29
81inclusive. Sections 32 and 33 inclusive. Those
82portions of Sections 30 and 31 lying outside of the
83present city limits of DeFuniak Springs.
84Those portions in Township 3 North, Range 19 West
85which include, those parts of Sections 1 and 2 lying
86South of the centerline of County Road 1883 and
87Sunrise Road. The portion of Section 3 lying south of
88the centerline of Sunrise Road. The portion of Section
8910 lying North and Southeast of Lake Juniper. Entire
90Sections 11, 12, 13, 14 and 24. Those portions of
91Section 15 lying East of a line running North and
92South from the center of the Lake Juniper Dam and
93lying outside of the present city limits of DeFuniak
94Springs. The portion of Section 22 lying East of a
95line running North and South from the center of the
96Lake Juniper Dam and lying outside of the present city
97limits of DeFuniak Springs. Those portions of section
9823, 24, 25, and 36 lying North and or East of the
99present city limits of DeFuniak Springs.
100Those portions within Township 4 North, Range 18 West
101which include, those portions of Section 31, lying
102South of the centerline of Coy Ellis Road. Those parts
103of Sections 32 and 33 lying South of the centerline of
104County Road 183 North. The portion of Section 33 lying
105East of County Road 183A.
106The portion within Township 4 North, Range 19 West
107which includes, that part of Section 36 lying South
108and East of County Road 1883 and Coy Ellis Road.
109     (2)  The purpose of this act is to promote the general
110health, welfare, and safety of the citizens and residents of
111Walton County who reside within the geographical limits of the
112Argyle Fire District by providing for the financial support of
113the Argyle Fire District of Walton County, a not-for-profit
114corporation, which currently provides the district with fire
115protection services, facilities, and firefighting equipment; the
116establishment and maintenance of fire stations and fire
117substations; the acquisition and maintenance of all firefighting
118and protection equipment necessary for the prevention of fires
119or fighting of fires; the employment and training of such
120personnel as may be necessary to accomplish fire prevention and
121firefighting; the establishment and maintenance of emergency
122services; the acquisition and maintenance of rescue and other
123emergency equipment; and the employment and training of
124necessary emergency personnel. The district may provide
125emergency medical services. The district shall have all other
126powers necessary to carry out these purposes.
127     (3)  Nothing herein shall prevent the district from
128cooperating with the state or other local governments to render
129such services to communities adjacent to the land described in
130this section as evidenced by a signed aid agreement.
131     (4)  The district charter may be amended only by special
132act of the Legislature.
133     Section 3.  Board of commissioners.--
134     (1)  Pursuant to chapter 191, Florida Statutes, the
135business and affairs of the district shall be governed and
136administered by a board of five commissioners, who shall be
137qualified electors residing within the district and shall be
138elected by the qualified electors residing within the district
139at a general election, subject to the provisions of chapters 189
140and 191, Florida Statutes, and this act. Each commissioner shall
141hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified
142under the provisions of this act. The procedures for conducting
143district elections and for qualification of candidates and
144electors shall be pursuant to chapters 189 and 191, Florida
145Statutes.
146     (2)  The five members of the initial board shall be elected
147by the qualified electors residing within the district. The
148three elected members for seats 1, 3, and 5 in the initial
149election under this act shall serve terms of 4 years each. The
150remaining two selected members for seats 2 and 4 in the initial
151election under this act shall serve terms of 2 years each.
152Subsequent elections under this act shall coincide with the
153general elections of this state. The members of the board shall
154serve on a nonpartisan basis for a term of 4 years each.
155     (3)  Vacancies in office shall be filled by special
156election, said election to be held coincidental with the next
157countywide general or special election. The board may appoint a
158qualified elector of the district to act as commissioner until
159the vacancy is filled by election. A commissioner must be a
160qualified elector residing within the district. A commissioner
161may be removed from office for any reason that a state or county
162officer may be removed.
163     (4)  All elections shall be noticed, called, and held
164pursuant to the provisions of the general laws of the state,
165except as otherwise provided herein. The board shall, to the
166extent possible, coordinate all elections with countywide
167general or special elections in order to minimize costs.
168Elections shall be called through the adoption of an appropriate
169resolution of the district directed to the Board of County
170Commissioners of Walton County, the Supervisor of Elections of
171Walton County, and other appropriate officers of the county. The
172district shall reimburse county government for the actual cost
173of district elections. No commissioner shall be a paid employee
174of the district while holding said position. This shall not
175prevent volunteers from receiving reimbursement for expenses
176from serving as commissioners.
177     (5)  The board may employ such personnel as deemed
178necessary for the proper function and operation of a fire
179district. The salaries of fire department and emergency service
180personnel and any other wages shall be determined by the board.
181     Section 4.  Officers; board compensation; bond.--
182     (1)  In accordance with chapter 191, Florida Statutes, each
183elected member of the board shall assume office 10 days
184following the member's election. Annually, within 60 days after
185election of new members of said board, the members shall
186organize by electing from their number a chair, vice chair,
187secretary, and treasurer. However, the same member may be both
188secretary and treasurer, in accordance with chapter 191, Florida
189Statutes.
190     (2)  The commissioners may receive reimbursement for actual
191expenses incurred while performing the duties of their offices
192in accordance with general law governing per diem for public
193officials. Commissioners may receive compensation for their
194services in accordance with chapter 191, Florida Statutes.
195     (3)  Each commissioner, upon taking office and in
196accordance with chapters 189 and 191, Florida Statutes, shall
197execute to the Governor, for the benefit of the district, a bond
198of $5,000 with a qualified personal or corporate surety,
199conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the
200commissioner's office and upon an accounting for all funds which
201come into his or her hands as commissioner; however, the
202treasurer shall furnish a bond of $10,000, which may be in lieu
203of the $5,000 bond. The premium of such bonds shall be paid from
204district funds.
205     Section 5.  Powers; duties; responsibilities.--
206     (1)  The district shall have and the board may exercise by
207majority vote all the powers and duties set forth in this act
208and chapters 189, 191, and 197, Florida Statutes, including, but
209not limited to, special assessments, other revenue-raising
210capabilities, budget preparation and approval, liens and
211foreclosure of liens, use of tax deeds and tax certificates as
212appropriate from non-ad valorem assessments, contractual
213agreements, and adoption of ordinances and resolutions that are
214necessary to conduct district business if such ordinances do not
215conflict with any ordinance of a local general purpose
216government within whose jurisdiction the district is located.
217     (2)  The board shall continue to have the right, power, and
218authority to levy annually special assessment against the
219taxable property within the district to provide funds for the
220purposes of the district, in an amount not to exceed the limit
221provided in chapter 191, Florida Statutes.
222     (3)  The methods for assessing and collecting special
223assessments, fees, or service charges shall be as set forth in
224this act and chapters 170, 189, 191, and 197, Florida Statutes.
225     (4)  The district shall levy and collect special
226assessments in accordance with chapter 200, Florida Statutes.
227     (5)  The district is authorized to levy and enforce special
228assessments in accordance with chapters 170, 189, 191, and 197,
229Florida Statutes.
230     (6)  The district's planning requirements shall be as set
231forth in this act and chapters 189 and 191, Florida Statutes.
232     (7)  Requirements for financial disclosure, meeting
233notices, reporting, public records maintenance, and per diem
234expenses for officers and employees shall be as set forth in
235this act and chapters 112, 119, 189, 191, and 286, Florida
236Statutes.
237     Section 6.  Impact fees.--
238     (1)  Pursuant to section 191.009(4), Florida Statutes, it
239is hereby declared that the cost of new facilities borne by fire
240protection and emergency services should be borne by new users
241of the district's services to the extent new construction
242requires new facilities, but only to that extent. It is the
243legislative intent of this section to transfer to the new users
244of the district's fire protection and emergency services a fair
245share of the costs that new users impose on the district for new
246facilities. This shall only apply in the event that the general-
247purpose local government in which the district is located has
248not adopted an impact fee for fire services which is distributed
249to the district for construction within its jurisdictional
250boundaries.
251     (2)  The impact fees collected by the district pursuant to
252this section shall be kept as a separate fund from other
253revenues of the district and shall be used exclusively for the
254acquisition, purchase, or construction of new facilities or
255portions thereof required to provide fire protection and
256emergency services to new construction. "New facilities" means
257land, buildings, and capital equipment, including, but not
258limited to, fire and emergency vehicles and radio telemetry
259equipment. The fees shall not be used for the acquisition,
260purchase, or construction of facilities which must be obtained
261in any event, regardless of growth within the district. The
262board of fire commissioners shall maintain adequate records to
263ensure that impact fees are expended only for permissible new
264facilities.
265     Section 7.  Special assessments.--
266     (1)  The board shall have the right, power, and authority
267to levy special assessments against the taxable real estate
268within the district to provide funds for the purpose of the
269district.
270     (2)(a)  For each residential dwelling or mobile home
271situated on any parcel of land within said district, the charge
272shall be $25 annually. It is expressly understood that mobile
273home parks or multiunit dwellings are not included in this
274category and shall be included in paragraph (b).
275     (b)  For each mobile home park, apartment building, motel,
276hotel, condominium, townhouse, or other multifamily residence,
277the charge shall not exceed:
278     1.  2 to 4 units or lots, $25 each annually.
279     2.  5 to 10 units or lots, $20 each annually.
280     3.  11 to 25 units or lots, $18 each annually.
281     4.  Over 25 units or lots, $15 each annually.
282     (c)  For each commercial establishment or business, the
283charge shall not exceed the following rates:
284     1.  Up to 5,000 square feet of floor space: $50 annually.
285     2.  Over 5,000 square feet of floor space: $100 annually.
286
287The existence of a commercial establishment or business shall be
288evidenced by the presence of advertising signs, by tax roll
289classification, or by custom. Business enterprises wholly
290contained within a residential unit shall not be included in
291this category and shall be included under paragraph (a).
292Multifamily residential units and mobile home parks shall be
293included under paragraph (b).
294     (d)  No assessment shall be levied for any parcel of
295agricultural, timber, unimproved residential, or other
296unimproved property. Adjoining parcels owned by an individual
297taxpayer will be treated as one parcel for assessment purposes,
298even though they may be shown as separate items on the county
299tax roll.
300     (e)  No assessment shall be levied against churches,
301schools, governmental property, or property owned by other
302nonprofit charitable organizations.
303     (f)  Any increase in the special assessment must be
304approved by a majority of the electors within the Argyle Fire
305District.
306     (3)  It is the legislative intent that this act shall
307authorize the Walton County Property Appraiser and the Walton
308County Tax Collector to take all appropriate action to comply
309with the intent of the purpose of this act.
310     (4)  It is also the legislative intent that the board of
311commissioners shall be a vehicle to provide funding to
312accomplish the purpose set out in this act.
313     Section 8.  Property appraiser.--
314     (1)  The Walton County Property Appraiser shall furnish the
315commissioners a tax roll covering all taxable properties within
316the district on or before July 1 of each year.
317     (2)  The Walton County Property Appraiser shall include in
318the Walton County tax roll the assessments made by the board,
319and the same shall be collected in the manner as provided for by
320this act and paid over by the Walton County Tax Collector to the
321board.
322     (3)  The Walton County Property Appraiser shall be
323reimbursed for assessing such special assessments in the manner
324and amount authorized by general law, and the Walton County Tax
325Collector shall receive a commission or fee of 3 percent for
326collection of such special assessments.
327     Section 9.  Special assessment as a lien.--The special
328assessment levied and assessed by the district shall be a lien
329upon the property so assessed along with the county taxes
330assessed against such property until said assessment and taxes
331have been paid, and if the special assessment levied by the
332district becomes delinquent, such special assessment shall be
333considered a part of the county tax subject to the same
334penalties, charges, fees, and remedies for enforcement and
335collection of such taxes.
336     Section 10.  Deposit of special assessments; fees;
337authority to disburse funds.--
338     (1)  The proceeds of the assessments and funds of the
339district shall be deposited in qualified public depositories in
340accordance with chapters 191 and 280, Florida Statutes, in the
341name of the district in a bank authorized to receive deposits of
342district funds. The bank shall be designated by a resolution of
343the board.
344     (2)  All warrants for the payment of labor, equipment, and
345other expenses of the board, and in carrying into effect this
346act and the purpose thereof, shall be payable by the treasurer
347of the board on accounts and vouchers approved and authorized by
348two board members. No funds of the district shall be paid out or
349disbursed except by check signed by two board members.
350     Section 11.  Authority to borrow money.--
351     (1)  The board of commissioners shall have the power and
352authority to borrow money or issue other evidences of
353indebtedness for the purpose of the district in accordance with
354chapters 189 and 191, Florida Statutes, provided, however, that
355the total payments in any one year, including principal and
356interest, on any indebtedness incurred by the district shall not
357exceed 50 percent of the total estimated annual budgeted
358revenues of the district.
359     (2)  The board of commissioners, board of directors as a
360body, or any of the members of either board as individuals shall
361not be personally or individually liable for the repayment of
362such loan. Such repayment shall be made out of the special
363assessment receipts of the district, except as provided in this
364subsection. The commissioners shall not create any indebtedness
365or incur obligations for any sum or amount which they are unable
366to repay out of district funds available to them at that time,
367except as otherwise provided in this act, provided, however,
368that the commissioners may make purchases of equipment on an
369installment basis as necessary if funds are available for the
370payment of the current year's installment on such equipment plus
371the amount due in that year of any of the installments and the
372repayment of any bank loan or other existing indebtedness which
373may be due that year.
374     Section 12.  Use of district funds.--No funds of the
375district shall be used for any purposes other than the
376administration of the affairs and business of the district; the
377construction, care, maintenance, upkeep, operation, and purchase
378of firefighting and rescue equipment or fire station; the
379payment of public utilities; and the payment of salaries of
380district personnel as the board may from time to time determine
381to be necessary for the operations and effectiveness of the
382district.
383     Section 13.  Record of board meetings; authority to adopt
384rules and regulations; annual reports; budget.--
385     (1)  A record shall be kept of all meetings of the board,
386and in such meetings concurrence of a majority of the
387commissioners present shall be necessary to any affirmative
388action by the board.
389     (2)  The board shall have the authority to adopt and amend
390rules and regulations for the administration of the affairs of
391the district under the terms of this act and chapters 189 and
392191, Florida Statutes, which shall include, but not be limited
393to, the authority to adopt the necessary rules and regulations
394for the administration and supervision of the property and
395personnel of the district; for the prevention of fires, fire
396control, fire hydrant placement, and flow testing in accordance
397with current NFPA rules; and for rescue work within the
398district. Said commissioners shall have all the lawful power and
399the authority necessary to carry out the purposes of said fire
400district; to purchase all necessary real and personal property;
401to purchase and carry standard insurance policies on all such
402equipment; to employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry
403out the purpose of said fire district; to provide adequate
404insurance for said employees; to purchase and carry appropriate
405insurance for the protection of all firefighters and personnel
406as well as all equipment and personal property on loan to the
407district; to sell surplus real and personal property in the same
408manner and subject to the same restrictions as provided for such
409sales by counties; to enter into contracts with qualified
410service providers, the Argyle Fire District of Walton County,
411other fire departments, municipalities, and state and federal
412governmental units for the purpose of obtaining financial aid;
413and for otherwise carrying out the purposes of the district. The
414commissioners shall adopt a fiscal year for said fire district,
415which shall be October 1 to September 30.
416     (3)  Any policies, rules, and regulations promulgated and
417made by the board shall have the force and effect of law after
418copies thereof, signed by the secretary and chair or vice chair,
419shall have been posted in three public places within the
420district in conspicuous locations and advertised by title once a
421week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general paid
422circulation in the district.
423     (4)  The board shall, on or before November 1, make an
424annual report of its actions and accounting of its funds as of
425September of that year, and shall file said report in the office
426of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Walton County, whose duty
427it shall be to receive and file said report and hold and keep
428the same as a public record.
429     (5)  For the purposes of carrying into effect this act, the
430board shall annually prepare, consider, and adopt a district
431budget pursuant to the applicable requirements of chapters 189
432and 191, Florida Statutes. The board shall, at the same time as
433it makes its annual report, file its estimated budget for the
434fiscal year beginning October 1, which budget shall show the
435estimated revenue to be received by the district and the
436estimated expenditures to be incurred by the district in
437carrying out its operations.
438     Section 14.  Authority to enact fire prevention ordinances;
439appoint or employ a fire chief; acquire land; enter contracts;
440establish salaries; general and special powers; authority to
441provide emergency medical and rescue services.--
442     (1)  The board of commissioners shall have the right and
443power to enact fire prevention ordinances in the same manner
444provided for the adoption of policies and regulations in
445subsection (2) of section 13, and when the provisions of such
446fire prevention ordinances are determined by the board to be
447violated, the office of the state attorney, upon written notice
448of such violation issued by the board, is authorized to
449prosecute such person or persons held to be in violation
450thereof. Any person found guilty of a violation may be punished
451as provided in chapter 775, Florida Statutes, as a misdemeanor
452of the second degree. The cost of such prosecution shall be paid
453out of the district funds, unless otherwise provided by law.
454     (2)  The board shall have the power to appoint or employ a
455fire chief, who shall be a person experienced in all types of
456firefighting and fire prevention and who shall work with and
457cooperate with the Fire Marshal in which the district is
458situated in the prevention of fires of all types. The district
459fire chief shall be authorized to enter, at all reasonable
460hours, any building or premises for the purpose of making any
461inspection or investigation which the State Fire Marshal is
462authorized to make pursuant to state law and regulation. The
463owner, lessee, manager, or operator of any building or premises
464shall permit the district fire chief to enter and inspect the
465building or premises at all reasonable hours. The district fire
466chief shall report any violations of state fire safety laws or
467regulations to the appropriate officials.
468     (3)  The board shall have the power to acquire, by gift or
469purchase, lands or rights in lands, and any other property, real
470and personal, tangible or intangible, necessary, desirable, or
471convenient for carrying out the purposes of the district, and to
472pay any and all costs of same out of the funds of the district,
473provided that prior to the acquisition of the location of a fire
474station site, an appropriate investigation shall be conducted
475which shall include, but not be limited to, obtaining the staff
476recommendation of the Walton County Planning Department.
477     (4)  The board shall have the power to enter into contracts
478or to otherwise join with the Argyle Fire District of Walton
479County, or to otherwise join with any other district, city, or
480town, the United States of America, or any agency or authority
481thereunder, for the purpose of expanding services, providing
482effective aid, and accomplishing and carrying out the purposes
483for which the district was created and for the further purpose
484of specifically obtaining financial aid, assistance, or subsidy.
485     (5)  The salaries of fire department personnel and any
486other wages shall be determined by the board.
487     (6)  The district is authorized to establish and maintain
488emergency medical and rescue response services and acquire and
489maintain rescue, medical, and other emergency equipment, subject
490to the provisions of chapter 401, Florida Statutes.
491     Section 15.  Annexations.--If any municipality or other
492fire control district annexes any land included in the district,
493such annexation shall follow the procedures set forth in section
494171.093, Florida Statutes.
495     Section 16.  Dissolution.--The district shall exist until
496dissolved in the same manner as it was created. If the Argyle
497Fire District of Walton County is dissolved or ceases to exist
498for any reason, or if the board determines that the Argyle Fire
499District of Walton County is unable to carry out its objectives
500as stated or the objectives of the district as stated in
501subsection (2) of section 2, or the district's published
502policies, the board shall in its discretion make arrangements
503for other means of providing fire protection and rescue
504services.
505     Section 17.  Immunity from tort liability.--
506     (1)  The district and its officers, agents, and employees
507shall have the same immunity from tort liability as other
508agencies and subdivisions of the state. The provisions of
509chapter 768, Florida Statutes, shall apply to all claims
510asserted against the district.
511     (2)  The district commissioners and all officers, agents,
512and employees of the district shall have the same immunity and
513exemption from personal liability as is provided by general law
514of the state for state, county, and municipal officers.
515     (3)  The district shall defend all claims against the
516commissioners, officers, agents, and employees which arise
517within the scope of employment or purposes of the district and
518shall pay all judgments against said persons, except where said
519persons acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a
520manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights,
521safety, or property.
522     Section 18.  District expansion.--
523     (1)  The district boundaries may be extended from time to
524time as follows:
525     (a)  Land contiguous to the boundaries of the district in
526unincorporated Walton County may be included in the district
527when a petition for inclusion signed and sworn to by a majority
528of the owners of the real property within the tract or tracts to
529be included in the district has been presented to the board of
530commissioners and the proposal has been approved by the
531affirmative vote of no fewer than three members of the board of
532commissioners at a regular meeting.
533     (b)  The petition must contain the legal description of the
534property sought to be added to the district and the names and
535addresses of the owners of the property.
536     (2)  If a proposal to add an area to the district as
537defined in subsection (1) is approved by the affirmative vote of
538no fewer than three members of the board of commissioners at a
539regular meeting, the board of commissioners shall thereafter
540adopt a resolution describing the lands to be included within
541the district and shall cause such resolution to be duly enrolled
542in the record of the meeting and a certified copy of the
543resolution to be recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the
544Circuit Court of Walton County.
545     (3)  Upon adoption of the resolution by the board, the
546district shall, pursuant to chapter 191, Florida Statutes,
547request that its legislative delegation approve said addition
548and sponsor legislation amending the district boundary. Upon
549approval by the Legislature, the boundary shall be amended.
550     (4)  Lands within municipal boundaries of cities contiguous
551to district boundaries may be included in the district upon
552request by the governing board of the municipality, approval of
553said request by affirmative vote of no fewer that three members
554of the district board, and referendum approval of inclusion by
555the electors of the municipality. The referendum shall be
556conducted by the municipality at the next available special or
557general election.
558     Section 19.  Construction.--This act shall be construed as
559remedial and shall be liberally construed to promote the purpose
560for which it is intended.
561     Section 20.  Effect.--In the event that any part of this
562act should be held void for any reason, such holding shall not
563affect any other part thereof.
564     Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


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