Page 11 - Jupiter Spotlight - April '23

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 11
Northern Notes

What Is A Special District? cross several municipalities commissioners were empowered to drain the “Alachua
or counties. Northern Palm
Savannah.” The first special assessments were levied on
By Katie Roundtree, Beach County Improvement landowners to finance the project based on the number of acres
Director of Finance and District overlaps eight cities owned and the benefit derived.
Administration, Northern and unincorporated Palm There are about 1,900 special districts in Florida
Palm Beach County Beach County. The South currently. Some special districts operate in multiple
Improvement District Florida Water Management counties, such as the water management districts. Other
There has been quite a bit District is a special district special districts serve small neighborhoods, helping
of news lately surrounding that manages water resources residents develop and maintain common areas.
special districts and what they in the southern half of the Many of these are community development districts
are and are not allowed to state, covering 16 counties created to issue bonds and construct infrastructure for one
do. They are a little-known from Orlando to the Florida 19th century image of specific area/housing development. Board members are
but widely used type of Keys. Every parcel of land Franklin as firefighter appointed by the developer initially, with residents assuming
government. A special district in Florida is served by at least (USHistory.org) seats as the development is sold out.
is defined by Florida Statutes as “… a unit of local government one special district. Special districts are funded through assessments that
created for a special purpose, as opposed to a general purpose, Did you know that special districts date back as far as can be either advalorem or non-advalorem. Advalorem
which has jurisdiction to operate within a limited geographic 1736? Benjamin Franklin established the first special district assessments are based on the property’s value (value times
boundary and is created by general law, special act, local on Dec. 7, 1736, when he created the Union Fire Company a millage rate). Non-advalorem assessments are not based on
ordinance, or by rule of the Governor and Cabinet.” (Section of Philadelphia, a volunteer fire department. Residents in a the property’s value; instead, assessments are determined by
189.012(6), Florida Statutes) Special districts have limited specific neighborhood paid a fee to receive fire protection computing the benefit derived for each parcel and allocating
powers specifically given to them, such as water control, fire, services. Any resident not paying the fee had no fire protection the budgeted amount to be collected based on the derived
airport, health care, etc. Special districts exist for a specific reason services. There are more than 30,000 special districts in the benefits. Property can be assessed at the same amount for
and can only do what is in their charter or enabling legislation. United States – the majority are fire protection districts. many parcels or different amounts based on varying benefits
Municipalities and counties have broad powers, such as police, The first special district in Florida began in 1822. It was derived (i.e., residential, commercial, or industrial).
fire, code enforcement, building inspections, parks, etc. They created to establish and maintain public roads. The first road Both special districts, municipalities, and counties have
are enabled to provide whatever services are needed within their districts had no taxation authority and solved their labor governing bodies, such as council members or board members,
geographical boundary, except when expressly prohibited by law. needs by conscription (mandated enlistment). Men failing responsible for making the rules and approving the budget for the
Municipalities and counties can only operate within their to report to work were fined one dollar per day. government. Some are popularly elected on the county election
specific geographical area. Special districts are similar in that In 1845, soon after Florida became a state, the legislature ballot, while the landowners elect others at the district offices.
they have a particular geographical area; however, that area can established the first special district by special act. Five Here are some of the services that special districts provide,
along with examples:
• Community Development Districts and Improvement
Peripheral Districts – Allow new residential, commercial and
industrial developments to occur by financing, building
and maintaining common infrastructure and facilities (for
Neuropathy? example, roads, landscaping, water and sewer lines, street
lighting, and drainage systems).
• Redevelopment Agencies – Attract businesses and
FREE Consultation retail establishments to specific areas by redeveloping,
improving and maintaining commercial areas and facilities
for Acupuncture (for example, sidewalks, building facades, bicycle lanes,
parking facilities, signs, and roadways).
• Fire, Health Care and Water Control Districts –
Protect life and property by providing fire control and rescue,
flood control, and emergency medical services.
• Airport, Port and Transit Authorities – Provide
major infrastructure and facilities serving large areas (for
561-745-1002 example, airports, roads and bridges, expressways, seaports,
waterways, and utility systems).
• Library and Beach Districts – Help make Florida
654 West Indiantown a desirable place to live, work and visit by providing
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO civic, health, educational, conservation, parks, sports, and
REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER Road, Jupiter, FL 33458
SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND recreational facilities.
WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED www.drlaruffa.com
OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. If you’d like more information on special districts in Florida,
please go to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s
Special District Accountability Program, found at https://
floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/special-
districts/special-district-accountability-program.
NPDES tip: Please do not put any excess oils, paints or
solvents into lakes, canals, or storm drains! They go directly
into the ground water supply.

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