1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to community development districts; |
3 | amending s. 190.003, F.S.; revising definitions relating |
4 | to community development districts; amending s. 190.005, |
5 | F.S.; specifying petition and filing fee requirements for |
6 | the establishment of districts; specifying requirements |
7 | for the adoption of certain rules by the Florida Land and |
8 | Water Adjudicatory Commission; providing requirements for |
9 | the establishment of districts located in multiple |
10 | municipalities; amending s. 190.006, F.S.; revising |
11 | provisions for determining certain voting units for |
12 | landowners within a district; requiring districts to |
13 | publish notice of qualifying periods for elections; |
14 | providing procedures for filling district board vacancies; |
15 | authorizing the board to appoint qualified electors to the |
16 | board under certain circumstances; amending s. 190.007, |
17 | F.S.; specifying that certain affiliations are not a |
18 | conflict of interest for district board members, managers, |
19 | and employees; amending s. 190.008, F.S.; revising |
20 | timeframes and requirements for the preparation of |
21 | proposed district budgets; amending s. 190.009, F.S.; |
22 | requiring the district to file disclosure documents and |
23 | amendments relating to the public financing and |
24 | maintenance of certain property in the property records of |
25 | each county in which the district is located; amending s. |
26 | 190.011, F.S.; revising statutory authorization for the |
27 | enforcement of district assessments; amending s. 190.012, |
28 | F.S.; revising district regulatory jurisdiction and |
29 | permitting authority for certain public improvements and |
30 | community facilities; authorizing the district to convey |
31 | certain activities to utility providers; authorizing the |
32 | district to adopt rules for enforcement of deed |
33 | restrictions outside the district pursuant to an |
34 | interlocal agreement; revising the requirements for the |
35 | adoption of such rules; amending s. 190.014, F.S.; |
36 | specifying that non-ad valorem assessments levied to pay |
37 | interest on bond anticipation notes do not qualify as |
38 | assessment installments; amending s. 190.021, F.S.; |
39 | authorizing the use of combined notice of proposed |
40 | assessments under certain circumstances; providing that |
41 | assessments authorized under ch. 170, F.S., constitute |
42 | liens and are subject to certain collection procedures; |
43 | amending s. 190.026, F.S.; providing that foreclosure |
44 | proceedings authorized under ch. 170, F.S., apply to |
45 | certain district proceedings; amending s. 190.033, F.S.; |
46 | providing for competitive solicitation; authorizing the |
47 | district to proceed with purchasing under certain |
48 | circumstances; amending s. 190.046, F.S.; revising |
49 | provisions for termination, contraction, or expansion of |
50 | districts; specifying payment of certain fees to counties |
51 | and municipalities; providing limitations for the |
52 | amendment of certain district boundaries; requiring the |
53 | written consent of certain landowners; amending s. |
54 | 190.047, F.S.; specifying the determination of population |
55 | standards by the Department of Community Affairs for the |
56 | purposes of incorporation or annexation of districts; |
57 | requiring unincorporated areas to meet certain criteria |
58 | for incorporation; requiring certain referenda to be held |
59 | at general elections; providing effective dates. |
60 |
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61 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
62 |
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63 | Section 1. Subsection (6), paragraph (p) of subsection |
64 | (7), and subsections (20) and (21) of section 190.003, Florida |
65 | Statutes, are amended to read: |
66 | 190.003 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term: |
67 | (6) "Community development district" means a local unit of |
68 | special-purpose government which is created pursuant to this act |
69 | and limited to the performance of those specialized functions |
70 | authorized by this act; the boundaries of which are contained |
71 | wholly within a single county; the governing head of which is a |
72 | body created, organized, and constituted and authorized to |
73 | function specifically as prescribed in this act for the purpose |
74 | of the delivery of urban community development services; and the |
75 | formation, powers, governing body, operation, duration, |
76 | accountability, requirements for disclosure, and termination of |
77 | which are as required by general law. |
78 | (7) "Cost," when used with reference to any project, |
79 | includes, but is not limited to: |
80 | (p) Payments, contributions, dedications, fair share or |
81 | concurrency obligations, and any other exactions required as a |
82 | condition to receive any government approval or permit necessary |
83 | to accomplish any district purpose. |
84 | (20) "Water management and control facilities" means any |
85 | lakes, canals, ditches, reservoirs, dams, levees, sluiceways, |
86 | floodways, curbs, gutters, pumping stations, or any other works, |
87 | structures, or facilities for the conservation, control, |
88 | development, utilization, and disposal of water, and any |
89 | purposes appurtenant, necessary, or incidental thereto. The term |
90 | "water management and control facilities" includes all real and |
91 | personal property and any interest therein, rights, easements, |
92 | and franchises of any nature relating to any such water |
93 | management and control facilities or necessary or convenient for |
94 | the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, operation, or |
95 | maintenance thereof. |
96 | (21) "Water system" means any plant, system, facility, or |
97 | property and additions, extensions, and improvements thereto at |
98 | any future time constructed or acquired as part thereof, useful |
99 | or necessary or having the present capacity for future use in |
100 | connection with the development of sources, treatment, or |
101 | purification and distribution of water. Without limiting the |
102 | generality of the foregoing, the term "water system" includes |
103 | dams, reservoirs, storage, tanks, mains, lines, valves, |
104 | hydrants, pumping stations, chilled water distribution systems, |
105 | laterals, and pipes for the purpose of carrying water to the |
106 | premises connected with such system, and all rights, easements, |
107 | and franchises of any nature relating to any such system and |
108 | necessary or convenient for the operation thereof. |
109 | Section 2. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (f) of subsection (1) |
110 | and paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (2) of section 190.005, |
111 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
112 | 190.005 Establishment of district.-- |
113 | (1) The exclusive and uniform method for the establishment |
114 | of a community development district with a size of 1,000 acres |
115 | or more shall be pursuant to a rule, adopted under chapter 120 |
116 | by the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission, granting |
117 | a petition for the establishment of a community development |
118 | district. |
119 | (b) Prior to filing the petition, the petitioner shall: |
120 | 1. Pay a filing fee of $15,000 to the county, if located |
121 | within an unincorporated area, or to the municipality, if |
122 | located within an incorporated area, and to each municipality |
123 | the boundaries of which are contiguous with, or contain all or a |
124 | portion of the land within, the external boundaries of the |
125 | district. |
126 | 2. Submit a copy of the petition to the county, if located |
127 | within an unincorporated area, or to the municipality, if |
128 | located within an incorporated area, and to each municipality |
129 | the boundaries of which are contiguous with, or contain all or a |
130 | portion of, the land within the external boundaries of the |
131 | district. |
132 | 3. If land to be included within a district is located |
133 | partially within the unincorporated area of one or more counties |
134 | and partially within a municipality or within two or more |
135 | municipalities, pay a $15,000 filing fee to each entity. |
136 | Districts established across county boundaries shall be required |
137 | to maintain records, hold meetings and hearings, and publish |
138 | notices only in the county where the majority of the acreage |
139 | within the district lies. |
140 | (c) Such county and each such municipality required by law |
141 | to receive a petition may conduct a public hearing to consider |
142 | the relationship of the petition to the factors specified in |
143 | paragraph (e). The public hearing shall be concluded within 45 |
144 | days after the date the petition is filed unless an extension of |
145 | time is requested by the petitioner and granted by the county or |
146 | municipality. The county or municipality holding such public |
147 | hearing may by resolution express its support of, or objection |
148 | to the granting of, the petition by the Florida Land and Water |
149 | Adjudicatory Commission. A resolution must base any objection to |
150 | the granting of the petition upon the factors specified in |
151 | paragraph (e). Such county or municipality may present its |
152 | resolution of support or objection at the Florida Land and Water |
153 | Adjudicatory Commission hearing and shall be afforded an |
154 | opportunity to present relevant information in support of its |
155 | resolution. |
156 | (f) The Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission |
157 | shall not adopt any rule which would expand, modify, or delete |
158 | any provision of the uniform community development district |
159 | charter as set forth in ss. 190.006-190.041, except as provided |
160 | in s. 190.012. A rule establishing a community development |
161 | district shall only contain the following: |
162 | 1. A metes and bounds description of Describe the external |
163 | boundaries of the district and any real property within the |
164 | external boundaries of the district which is to be excluded. |
165 | 2. The names of Name five persons designated to be the |
166 | initial members of the board of supervisors. |
167 | 3. The name of the district. |
168 | (2) The exclusive and uniform method for the establishment |
169 | of a community development district of less than 1,000 acres in |
170 | size shall be pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the county |
171 | commission of the county having jurisdiction over the majority |
172 | of land in the area in which the district is to be located |
173 | granting a petition for the establishment of a community |
174 | development district as follows: |
175 | (d) The county commission shall not adopt any ordinance |
176 | which would expand, modify, or delete any provision of the |
177 | uniform community development district charter as set forth in |
178 | ss. 190.006-190.041. An ordinance establishing a community |
179 | development district shall only include the matters provided for |
180 | in paragraph (1)(f) unless the commission consents to any of the |
181 | optional powers under s. 190.012(2) at the request of the |
182 | petitioner. |
183 | (e) If all of the land in the area for the proposed |
184 | district is within the territorial jurisdiction of a municipal |
185 | corporation, then the petition requesting establishment of a |
186 | community development district under this act shall be filed by |
187 | the petitioner with that particular municipal corporation. In |
188 | such event, the duties of the county, hereinabove described, in |
189 | action upon the petition shall be the duties of the municipal |
190 | corporation. If any of the land area of a proposed district is |
191 | within the land area of a municipality, the county commission |
192 | may not create the district without municipal approval. If all |
193 | of the land in the area for the proposed district, even if less |
194 | 1,000 acres, is within the territorial jurisdiction of two or |
195 | more municipalities, the petition shall be filed with the |
196 | Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission and proceed in |
197 | accordance with subsection (1). |
198 | Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and paragraph |
199 | (b) of subsection (3) of section 190.006, Florida Statutes, are |
200 | amended to read: |
201 | 190.006 Board of supervisors; members and meetings.-- |
202 | (2) |
203 | (b) At such meeting, each landowner shall be entitled to |
204 | cast one vote per acre of land owned by him or her and located |
205 | within the district for each person to be elected. A landowner |
206 | may vote in person or by proxy in writing. Each proxy must be |
207 | signed by one of the legal owners of the property for which the |
208 | vote is cast and must contain the typed or printed name of the |
209 | individual who signed the proxy; the street address, legal |
210 | description of the property, or tax parcel identification |
211 | number; and the number of authorized votes. If the proxy |
212 | authorizes more than one vote, each property must be listed and |
213 | the number of acres of each property must be included. The |
214 | signature on a proxy need not be notarized. A fraction of an |
215 | acre shall be treated as 1 acre, entitling the landowner to one |
216 | vote with respect thereto. For purposes of determining voting |
217 | interests, platted lots shall be counted individually and |
218 | rounded up to the nearest whole acre. The acreage of platted |
219 | lots shall not be aggregated for determining the number of |
220 | voting units held by a landowner or a landowner's proxy. The two |
221 | candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be |
222 | elected for a period of 4 years, and the three candidates |
223 | receiving the next largest number of votes shall be elected for |
224 | a period of 2 years, with the term of office for each successful |
225 | candidate commencing upon election. The members of the first |
226 | board elected by landowners shall serve their respective 4-year |
227 | or 2-year terms; however, the next election by landowners shall |
228 | be held on the first Tuesday in November. Thereafter, there |
229 | shall be an election of supervisors for the district every 2 |
230 | years in November on a date established by the board and noticed |
231 | pursuant to paragraph (a). The second and subsequent landowners' |
232 | election shall be announced at a public meeting of the board at |
233 | least 90 days prior to the date of the landowners' meeting and |
234 | shall also be noticed pursuant to paragraph (a). Instructions on |
235 | how all landowners may participate in the election, along with |
236 | sample proxies, shall be provided during the board meeting that |
237 | announces the landowners' meeting. The two candidates receiving |
238 | the highest number of votes shall be elected to serve for a 4- |
239 | year period, and the remaining candidate elected shall serve for |
240 | a 2-year period. |
241 | (3) |
242 | (b) Elections of board members by qualified electors held |
243 | pursuant to this subsection shall be nonpartisan and shall be |
244 | conducted in the manner prescribed by law for holding general |
245 | elections. The district shall publish a notice of the qualifying |
246 | period set by the supervisor of elections for each election at |
247 | least 2 weeks prior to the start of the qualifying period. Board |
248 | members shall assume the office on the second Tuesday following |
249 | their election. If no elector qualifies for a seat to be filled |
250 | in an election, a vacancy in that seat shall be declared by the |
251 | board effective on the second Tuesday following the election. |
252 | Within 90 days thereafter, the board shall appoint a qualified |
253 | elector to fill the vacancy. Until such appointment, the |
254 | incumbent board member in that seat shall remain in office. |
255 | Section 4. Effective October 1, 2007, subsection (1) of |
256 | section 190.007, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
257 | 190.007 Board of supervisors; general duties.-- |
258 | (1) The board shall employ, and fix the compensation of, a |
259 | district manager. The district manager shall have charge and |
260 | supervision of the works of the district and shall be |
261 | responsible for preserving and maintaining any improvement or |
262 | facility constructed or erected pursuant to the provisions of |
263 | this act, for maintaining and operating the equipment owned by |
264 | the district, and for performing such other duties as may be |
265 | prescribed by the board. It shall not be a conflict of interest |
266 | under chapter 112 for a board member or the district manager or |
267 | another employee of the district to be a stockholder, officer, |
268 | or employee of a landowner or of an entity affiliated with a |
269 | landowner. The district manager may hire or otherwise employ and |
270 | terminate the employment of such other persons, including, |
271 | without limitation, professional, supervisory, and clerical |
272 | employees, as may be necessary and authorized by the board. The |
273 | compensation and other conditions of employment of the officers |
274 | and employees of the district shall be as provided by the board. |
275 | Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section |
276 | 190.008, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
277 | 190.008 Budget; reports and reviews.-- |
278 | (2)(a) On or before each June July 15, the district |
279 | manager shall prepare a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal |
280 | year to be submitted to the board for board approval. The |
281 | proposed budget shall include at the direction of the board an |
282 | estimate of all necessary expenditures of the district for the |
283 | ensuing fiscal year and an estimate of income to the district |
284 | from the taxes, and assessments, and other revenues provided in |
285 | this act. The board shall consider the proposed budget item by |
286 | item and may either approve the budget as proposed by the |
287 | district manager or modify the same in part or in whole. The |
288 | board shall indicate its approval of the budget by resolution, |
289 | which resolution shall provide for a hearing on the budget as |
290 | approved. Notice of the hearing on the budget shall be published |
291 | in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the |
292 | district once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, except that the |
293 | first publication shall be not fewer than 15 days prior to the |
294 | date of the hearing. The notice shall further contain a |
295 | designation of the day, time, and place of the public hearing. |
296 | At the time and place designated in the notice, the board shall |
297 | hear all objections to the budget as proposed and may make such |
298 | changes as the board deems necessary. At the conclusion of the |
299 | budget hearing, the board shall, by resolution, adopt the budget |
300 | as finally approved by the board. The budget shall be adopted |
301 | prior to October 1 of each year. |
302 | Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 190.009, Florida |
303 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
304 | 190.009 Disclosure of public financing.-- |
305 | (1) The district shall take affirmative steps to provide |
306 | for the full disclosure of information relating to the public |
307 | financing and maintenance of improvements to real property |
308 | undertaken by the district. Such information shall be made |
309 | available to all existing residents, and to all prospective |
310 | residents, of the district. The district shall furnish each |
311 | developer of a residential development within the district with |
312 | sufficient copies of that information to provide each |
313 | prospective initial purchaser of property in that development |
314 | with a copy, and any developer of a residential development |
315 | within the district, when required by law to provide a public |
316 | offering statement, shall include a copy of such information |
317 | relating to the public financing and maintenance of improvements |
318 | in the public offering statement. The district shall file the |
319 | disclosure documents required by this subsection and any |
320 | amendments thereto in the property records of each county in |
321 | which the district is located. |
322 | Section 7. Subsection (14) of section 190.011, Florida |
323 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
324 | 190.011 General powers.--The district shall have, and the |
325 | board may exercise, the following powers: |
326 | (14) To determine, order, levy, impose, collect, and |
327 | enforce special assessments pursuant to this act and chapter |
328 | 170. Such special assessments may, in the discretion of the |
329 | district, be collected and enforced pursuant to the provisions |
330 | of ss. 197.3631, 197.3632, and 197.3635, or chapter 170, or |
331 | chapter 173. |
332 | Section 8. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1), subsection |
333 | (2), and paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of section |
334 | 190.012, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph (h) is |
335 | added to subsection (1) of that section, to read: |
336 | 190.012 Special powers; public improvements and community |
337 | facilities.--The district shall have, and the board may |
338 | exercise, subject to the regulatory jurisdiction and permitting |
339 | authority of all applicable governmental bodies, agencies, and |
340 | special districts having authority with respect to any area |
341 | included therein, any or all of the following special powers |
342 | relating to public improvements and community facilities |
343 | authorized by this act: |
344 | (1) To finance, fund, plan, establish, acquire, construct |
345 | or reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, operate, and maintain |
346 | systems, facilities, and basic infrastructures for the |
347 | following: |
348 | (d)1. District roads equal to or exceeding the applicable |
349 | specifications of the county in which such district roads are |
350 | located, roads and improvements to existing public roads that |
351 | are owned by or conveyed to the local general-purpose |
352 | government, the state, or the Federal Government, street lights, |
353 | alleys, landscaping, hardscaping, and the undergrounding of |
354 | electric utility lines. The district may convey undergrounding |
355 | of electric utility lines to the retail electric utility |
356 | provider within the district and street lights. |
357 | 2. Buses, trolleys, transit shelters, ridesharing |
358 | facilities and services, parking improvements, and related |
359 | signage. |
360 | (h) Any other project, facility, or service required by a |
361 | development approval, interlocal agreement, zoning condition, or |
362 | permit issued by a governmental authority with jurisdiction in |
363 | the district. |
364 | (2) After the board has obtained the consent of the local |
365 | general-purpose government within the jurisdiction of which a |
366 | power specified in this subsection is to be exercised consents |
367 | to the exercise of such power by the district, the district |
368 | shall have the power to plan, establish, acquire, construct or |
369 | reconstruct, enlarge or extend, equip, operate, and maintain |
370 | additional systems and facilities for: |
371 | (a) Parks and facilities for indoor and outdoor |
372 | recreational, cultural, and educational uses. |
373 | (b) Fire prevention and control, including fire stations, |
374 | water mains and plugs, fire trucks, and other vehicles and |
375 | equipment. |
376 | (c) School buildings and related structures and site |
377 | improvements, which may be leased, sold, or donated to the |
378 | school district, for use in the educational system when |
379 | authorized by the district school board. |
380 | (d) Security, including, but not limited to, guardhouses, |
381 | fences and gates, electronic intrusion-detection systems, and |
382 | patrol cars, when authorized by proper governmental agencies; |
383 | except that the district may not exercise any police power, but |
384 | may contract with the appropriate local general-purpose |
385 | government agencies for an increased level of such services |
386 | within the district boundaries. |
387 | (e) Control and elimination of mosquitoes and other |
388 | arthropods of public health importance. |
389 | (f) Waste collection and disposal. |
390 | (4)(a) To adopt rules necessary for the district to |
391 | enforce certain deed restrictions pertaining to the use and |
392 | operation of real property within the district and outside the |
393 | district if pursuant to an interlocal agreement under chapter |
394 | 163. For the purpose of this subsection, "deed restrictions" are |
395 | those covenants, conditions, and restrictions contained in any |
396 | applicable declarations of covenants and restrictions that |
397 | govern the use and operation of real property within the |
398 | district and, for which covenants, conditions, and restrictions, |
399 | there is no homeowners' association or property owner's |
400 | association having respective enforcement powers. The district |
401 | may adopt by rule all or certain portions of the deed |
402 | restrictions that: |
403 | 1. Relate to limitations or prohibitions that apply only |
404 | to external structures and are deemed by the district to be |
405 | generally beneficial for the district's landowners and for which |
406 | enforcement by the district is appropriate, as determined by the |
407 | district's board of supervisors; or |
408 | 2. Are consistent with the requirements of a development |
409 | order or regulatory agency permit. |
410 | (b) The board may vote to adopt such rules only when all |
411 | of the following conditions exist: |
412 | 1. The district's geographic area contains no homeowners' |
413 | associations as defined in s. 720.301(9); |
414 | 2. The district was in existence on the effective date of |
415 | this subsection, or is located within a development that |
416 | consists of multiple developments of regional impact and a |
417 | Florida Quality Development; |
418 | 3. For residential districts, the majority of the board |
419 | has been elected by qualified electors pursuant to the |
420 | provisions of s. 190.006; and |
421 | 4. The declarant in any applicable declarations of |
422 | covenants and restrictions has provided the board with a written |
423 | agreement that such rules may be adopted. A memorandum of the |
424 | agreement shall be recorded in the public records. |
425 | Section 9. Section 190.014, Florida Statutes, is amended |
426 | to read: |
427 | 190.014 Issuance of bond anticipation notes.--In addition |
428 | to the other powers provided for in this act, and not in |
429 | limitation thereof, the district shall have the power, at any |
430 | time, and from time to time after the issuance of any bonds of |
431 | the district shall have been authorized, to borrow money for the |
432 | purposes for which such bonds are to be issued in anticipation |
433 | of the receipt of the proceeds of the sale of such bonds and to |
434 | issue bond anticipation notes in a principal sum not in excess |
435 | of the authorized maximum amount of such bond issue. Such notes |
436 | shall be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at |
437 | such rate as the board may determine in compliance with s. |
438 | 215.84, mature at such time or times not later than 5 years from |
439 | the date of issuance, and be in such form and executed in such |
440 | manner as the board shall prescribe. Such notes may be sold at |
441 | either public or private sale or, if such notes shall be renewal |
442 | notes, may be exchanged for notes then outstanding on such terms |
443 | as the board shall determine. Such notes shall be paid from the |
444 | proceeds of such bonds when issued. The board may, in its |
445 | discretion, in lieu of retiring the notes by means of bonds, |
446 | retire them by means of current revenues or from any taxes or |
447 | assessments levied for the payment of such bonds; but in such |
448 | event a like amount of the bonds authorized shall not be issued. |
449 | Non-ad valorem assessments levied to pay interest on bond |
450 | anticipation notes shall not constitute an installment of |
451 | assessments under s. 190.022. |
452 | Section 10. Subsections (2), (3), and (9) of section |
453 | 190.021, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
454 | 190.021 Taxes; non-ad valorem assessments.-- |
455 | (2) BENEFIT SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.--The board shall annually |
456 | determine, order, and levy the annual installment of the total |
457 | benefit special assessments for bonds issued and related |
458 | expenses to finance district facilities and projects which are |
459 | levied under this act. These assessments may be due and |
460 | collected during each year that county taxes are due and |
461 | collected, in which case such annual installment and levy shall |
462 | be evidenced to and certified to the property appraiser by the |
463 | board not later than August 31 of each year, and such assessment |
464 | shall be entered by the property appraiser on the county tax |
465 | rolls, and shall be collected and enforced by the tax collector |
466 | in the same manner and at the same time as county taxes, and the |
467 | proceeds thereof shall be paid to the district. However, this |
468 | subsection shall not prohibit the district in its discretion |
469 | from using the method prescribed in either s. 197.363 or s. |
470 | 197.3632 for collecting and enforcing these assessments. Notice |
471 | of the proposed amount of the assessment pursuant to s. 200.069 |
472 | that includes the date and time of the hearing may be used in |
473 | lieu of the notice provisions of s. 197.3632(4)(b). These |
474 | benefit special assessments shall be a lien on the property |
475 | against which assessed until paid and shall be enforceable in |
476 | like manner as county taxes. The amount of the assessment for |
477 | the exercise of the district's powers under ss. 190.011 and |
478 | 190.012 shall be determined by the board based upon a report of |
479 | the district's engineer and assessed by the board upon such |
480 | lands, which may be part or all of the lands within the district |
481 | benefited by the improvement, apportioned between benefited |
482 | lands in proportion to the benefits received by each tract of |
483 | land. |
484 | (3) MAINTENANCE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.--To maintain and |
485 | preserve the facilities and projects of the district, the board |
486 | may levy a maintenance special assessment. This assessment may |
487 | be evidenced to and certified to the property appraiser by the |
488 | board of supervisors not later than August 31 of each year and |
489 | shall be entered by the property appraiser on the county tax |
490 | rolls and shall be collected and enforced by the tax collector |
491 | in the same manner and at the same time as county taxes, and the |
492 | proceeds therefrom shall be paid to the district. However, this |
493 | subsection shall not prohibit the district in its discretion |
494 | from using the method prescribed in either s. 197.363 or s. |
495 | 197.3632 for collecting and enforcing these assessments. Notice |
496 | of the proposed amount of the assessment pursuant to s. 200.069 |
497 | that includes the date and time of the hearing may be used in |
498 | lieu of the notice provisions of s. 197.3632(4)(b). These |
499 | maintenance special assessments shall be a lien on the property |
500 | against which assessed until paid and shall be enforceable in |
501 | like manner as county taxes. The amount of the maintenance |
502 | special assessment for the exercise of the district's powers |
503 | under ss. 190.011 and 190.012 shall be determined by the board |
504 | based upon a report of the district's engineer and assessed by |
505 | the board upon such lands, which may be all of the lands within |
506 | the district benefited by the maintenance thereof, apportioned |
507 | between the benefited lands in proportion to the benefits |
508 | received by each tract of land. |
509 | (9) ASSESSMENTS CONSTITUTE LIENS; COLLECTION.--Benefit |
510 | special assessments and maintenance special assessments |
511 | authorized by this section, and special assessments authorized |
512 | by s. 190.022 and chapter 170, shall constitute a lien on the |
513 | property against which assessed from the date of imposition |
514 | thereof until paid, coequal with the lien of state, county, |
515 | municipal, and school board taxes. These non-ad valorem |
516 | assessments may be collected, at the district's discretion, by |
517 | the tax collector pursuant to the provisions of s. 197.363 or s. |
518 | 197.3632, or in accordance with other collection measures |
519 | provided by law. |
520 | Section 11. Section 190.026, Florida Statutes, is amended |
521 | to read: |
522 | 190.026 Foreclosure of liens.--Any lien in favor of the |
523 | district arising under this act may be foreclosed by the |
524 | district by foreclosure proceedings in the name of the district |
525 | in a court of competent jurisdiction as provided by general law |
526 | in like manner as is provided in chapter 170 or chapter 173 and |
527 | amendments thereto; the provisions of those chapters that |
528 | chapter shall be applicable to such proceedings with the same |
529 | force and effect as if those provisions were expressly set forth |
530 | in this act. Any act required or authorized to be done by or on |
531 | behalf of a municipality in foreclosure proceedings under |
532 | chapter 170 or chapter 173 may be performed by such officer or |
533 | agent of the district as the board of supervisors may designate. |
534 | Such foreclosure proceedings may be brought at any time after |
535 | the expiration of 1 year from the date any tax, or installment |
536 | thereof, becomes delinquent; however no lien shall be foreclosed |
537 | against any political subdivision or agency of the state. Other |
538 | legal remedies shall remain available. |
539 | Section 12. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 190.033, |
540 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
541 | 190.033 Bids required.-- |
542 | (1) No contract shall be let by the board for any goods, |
543 | supplies, or materials to be purchased when the amount thereof |
544 | to be paid by the district shall exceed the amount provided in |
545 | s. 287.017 for category four, unless notice of bids or other |
546 | competitive solicitation, including requests for proposals or |
547 | qualifications, is shall be advertised once in a newspaper in |
548 | general circulation in the county and in the district. Any board |
549 | seeking to construct or improve a public building, structure, or |
550 | other public works shall comply with the bidding procedures of |
551 | s. 255.20 and other applicable general law. In each case, the |
552 | bid of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder shall be |
553 | accepted unless all bids are rejected because the bids are too |
554 | high, or the board determines it is in the best interests of the |
555 | district to reject all bids. In each case in which requests for |
556 | proposals, qualifications, or other competitive solicitations |
557 | are used, the district shall determine which response is most |
558 | advantageous for the district and award the contract to that |
559 | proposer. The board may require the bidders or proposers to |
560 | furnish bond with a responsible surety to be approved by the |
561 | board. If the district does not receive a response to its |
562 | competitive solicitation, the district may proceed to purchase |
563 | such goods, supplies, materials, or construction services in the |
564 | manner it deems in the best interests of the district. Nothing |
565 | in this section shall prevent the board from undertaking and |
566 | performing the construction, operation, and maintenance of any |
567 | project or facility authorized by this act by the employment of |
568 | labor, material, and machinery. |
569 | (3) Contracts for maintenance services for any district |
570 | facility or project shall be subject to competitive solicitation |
571 | bidding requirements when the amount thereof to be paid by the |
572 | district exceeds the amount provided in s. 287.017 for category |
573 | four. The district shall adopt rules, policies, or procedures |
574 | establishing competitive solicitation bidding procedures for |
575 | maintenance services. Contracts for other services shall not be |
576 | subject to competitive solicitation bidding unless the district |
577 | adopts a rule, policy, or procedure applying competitive |
578 | solicitation bidding procedures to said contracts. |
579 | Section 13. Subsection (1) of section 190.046, Florida |
580 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
581 | 190.046 Termination, contraction, or expansion of |
582 | district.-- |
583 | (1) The board may petition to contract or expand the |
584 | boundaries of a community development district in the following |
585 | manner: |
586 | (a) The petition shall contain the same information |
587 | required by s. 190.005(1)(a)1. and 8. In addition, if the |
588 | petitioner seeks to expand the district, the petition shall |
589 | describe the proposed timetable for construction of any district |
590 | services to the area, the estimated cost of constructing the |
591 | proposed services, and the designation of the future general |
592 | distribution, location, and extent of public and private uses of |
593 | land proposed for the area by the future land use plan element |
594 | of the adopted local government local comprehensive plan. If the |
595 | petitioner seeks to contract the district, the petition shall |
596 | describe what services and facilities are currently provided by |
597 | the district to the area being removed, and the designation of |
598 | the future general distribution, location, and extent of public |
599 | and private uses of land proposed for the area by the future |
600 | land element of the adopted local government comprehensive plan. |
601 | (b) For those districts initially established by county |
602 | ordinance, the petition for ordinance amendment shall be filed |
603 | with the county commission. If the land to be included or |
604 | excluded is, in whole or in part, within the boundaries of a |
605 | municipality, then the county commission shall not amend the |
606 | ordinance without municipal approval. A public hearing shall be |
607 | held in the same manner and with the same public notice as other |
608 | ordinance amendments. The county commission shall consider the |
609 | record of the public hearing and the factors set forth in s. |
610 | 190.005(1)(e) in making its determination to grant or deny the |
611 | petition for ordinance amendment. |
612 | (c) For those districts initially established by municipal |
613 | ordinance pursuant to s. 190.005(2)(e), the municipality shall |
614 | assume the duties of the county commission set forth in |
615 | paragraph (b); however, if any of the land to be included or |
616 | excluded, in whole or in part, is outside the boundaries of the |
617 | municipality, then the municipality shall not amend its |
618 | ordinance without county commission approval. |
619 | (d)1. For those districts initially established by |
620 | administrative rule pursuant to s. 190.005(1), the petition |
621 | shall be filed with the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory |
622 | Commission. |
623 | 2. Prior to filing the petition, the petitioner shall pay |
624 | a filing fee of $1,500 to the county, if the district or the |
625 | land to be added to or deleted from the district is located |
626 | within an unincorporated area, or to the municipality, if the |
627 | district or the land to be added to or deleted from the district |
628 | is located within an incorporated area, and to each municipality |
629 | the boundaries of which are contiguous with or contain all or a |
630 | portion of the land to be added to or deleted from the external |
631 | boundaries of within the district. The petitioner shall submit a |
632 | copy of the petition to the same entities entitled to receive |
633 | the filing fee or the proposed amendment, and submit a copy of |
634 | the petition to the county and to each such municipality. In |
635 | addition, if the district is not the petitioner, the petitioner |
636 | shall file the petition with the district board of supervisors. |
637 | 3. Each The county and each municipality shall have the |
638 | option of holding a public hearing as provided by s. |
639 | 190.005(1)(c). However, such public hearing shall be limited to |
640 | consideration of the contents of the petition and whether the |
641 | petition for amendment should be supported by the county or |
642 | municipality. |
643 | 4. The district board of supervisors shall, in lieu of a |
644 | hearing officer, hold the local public hearing provided for by |
645 | s. 190.005(1)(d). This local public hearing shall be noticed in |
646 | the same manner as provided in s. 190.005(1)(d). Within 45 days |
647 | of the conclusion of the hearing, the district board of |
648 | supervisors shall transmit to the Florida Land and Water |
649 | Adjudicatory Commission the full record of the local hearing, |
650 | the transcript of the hearing, any resolutions adopted by the |
651 | local general-purpose governments, and its recommendation |
652 | whether to grant the petition for amendment. The commission |
653 | shall then proceed in accordance with s. 190.005(1)(e). |
654 | 5. A rule amending a district boundary shall describe the |
655 | land to be added or deleted. |
656 | (e) In all cases, written consent of all the landowners |
657 | whose land is to be added to or deleted from the district shall |
658 | be required. The filing of the petition for expansion or |
659 | contraction by the district board of supervisors shall |
660 | constitute consent of the landowners within the district other |
661 | than of landowners whose land is proposed to be added to or |
662 | removed from the district. |
663 | (e)(f)1. During the existence of a district initially |
664 | established by administrative rule, the process petitions to |
665 | amend the boundaries of the district pursuant to paragraphs (a)- |
666 | (d) (a)-(e) shall not exceed be limited to a cumulative net |
667 | total of no more than 10 percent of the land in the initial |
668 | district, and in no event exceed shall all such petitions to |
669 | amend the boundaries ever encompass more than a total of 250 |
670 | acres on a cumulative net basis. |
671 | 2. During the existence of a district For districts |
672 | initially established by county or municipal ordinance, the |
673 | limitation provided by this paragraph shall not exceed be a |
674 | cumulative net total of no more than 50 percent of the land in |
675 | the initial district, and in no event exceed shall all such |
676 | petitions to amend the boundaries ever encompass more than a |
677 | total of 500 acres on a cumulative basis. |
678 | 3. Boundary expansions for districts initially established |
679 | by county or municipal ordinance shall follow the procedure set |
680 | forth in paragraph (b) or paragraph (c). |
681 | (f)(g) Petitions to amend the boundaries of the district |
682 | which exceed the amount of land specified in paragraph (e) (f) |
683 | shall be considered petitions to establish a new district, and |
684 | shall follow all of the procedures specified in s. |
685 | 190.005(1)(a)1., 5., 6., 7., and 8., and shall follow the |
686 | process set forth in s. 190.005 for establishment of a new |
687 | district. However, the resulting administrative rule or |
688 | ordinance shall only have the effect of amending the boundary of |
689 | the district and shall not serve to establish a new district or |
690 | cause a new 6-year or 10-year period to begin pursuant to s. |
691 | 190.006(3)(a)2. |
692 | (g) In all cases of any petition to amend the boundaries |
693 | of the district, the filing of the petition for expansion or |
694 | contraction by the district board of supervisors shall |
695 | constitute consent of the landowners within the district, with |
696 | the exception of those landowners whose land is to be added to |
697 | or deleted from the district. In all cases of any petition to |
698 | amend the boundaries of the district, the written consent of |
699 | those landowners whose land is to be added to or deleted from |
700 | the district shall be required. |
701 | Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 190.047, Florida |
702 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
703 | 190.047 Incorporation or annexation of district.-- |
704 | (1) Upon attaining the population standards for |
705 | incorporation contained in s. 165.061 and as determined by the |
706 | Department of Community Affairs, any district wholly contained |
707 | within the unincorporated area of a county that also meets the |
708 | other requirements for incorporation contained in s. 165.061 |
709 | shall hold a referendum at a general election on the question of |
710 | whether to incorporate. However, any district contiguous to the |
711 | boundary of a municipality may be annexed to such municipality |
712 | pursuant to the provisions of chapter 171. |
713 | Section 15. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this |
714 | act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2007. |