Page 6 - PGA Community News - April '23

Page 6, PGA C.A.N.! April 2023 April 2023
Northern Notes

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

Editorial Board

Editor: James A. Cioffi
james@jcclaw.com
Feature Writers: Dawn Levinstein, POA
Gail Coppage, POA
Commissioner Maria Marino
Katie Roundtree
Contributing driveway courtyard
Reporter: Don Kiselewski

Your editors strongly believe that the number
of people who do become involved with any
news medium directly reflects on that medium’s
excellence, versatility and broad viewpoint.
Therefore, we invite PGA residents to contribute
articles or current, timely news items and/or
“Letters to the Editors.”
Articles/letters are subject to editing and editors’
right to publish. Submission must include writer’s
name, address and telephone number. Unsigned articles
/letters will not be published. Opposing views to article
viewpoints contained in this paper are welcome.
Articles do not necessarily represent the viewpoint
of the C.A.N.! organization. Submissions should
be mailed or delivered by the tenth of each month
for the following month’s publication (example: by
January 10 for February publication) to:
C.A.N.! Editors rec room wine cellar
or
Contact the publisher for additional information
regarding submissions, fax (561) 627-9088 or e-mail
canpga@yahoo.com.
This Feels Like Home
Let’s hear from you.

Three Nicklaus Championship Golf Courses
Homes from $300K to $3Million • West Palm Beach
For your personal tour, call 561.624.8000 or visit clubatibis.com