Title: Lealman Special Fire District, Pinellas County

Summary: Reduces maximum ad valorem millage rate that may be levied by district; provides requirements for annexation of unincorporated territory of district by municipality; requires approval of an annexation at referendum; provides for future expiration of requirements for annexation; provides that a referendum is not required to approve the levy of an ad valorem tax at a millage rate less than a millage rate previously approved by referendum.

Full Text:
An act relating to the Lealman Special Fire Control District, Pinellas County; amending chapter 2000-426, Laws of Florida, as amended; reducing the maximum ad valorem millage rate that may be levied by the district; providing requirements for the annexation of the unincorporated territory of the district by a municipality; requiring the approval of an annexation at a referendum; providing for future expiration of the requirements for annexation; providing that a referendum is not required to approve the levy of an ad valorem tax at a millage rate less than a millage rate previously approved by referendum; providing an effective date. 15 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 17 Section 1. Sections 8, 11, and of section of chapter 2000-426, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 2002-352 and 2007-288, Laws of Florida, are amended to read: Section 8. Taxes; non-ad valorem assessments; impact fees; user charges; bond issuance.-(1) The District shall also hold all powers, functions, and duties set forth in this Act and chapters 189, 191, and 197, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, including, but not limited to, ad valorem taxation, bond issuance, other revenue-raising capabilities, budget preparation and approval, liens and foreclosure of liens, use of tax deeds and tax certificates as appropriate for non-ad valorem assessments, and contractual agreements; however, an ad valorem tax levied by the Board for operating purposes, exclusive of debt service on bonds, may not exceed 5.5 mills if approved by a majority vote of qualified electors of the district voting in a referendum election providing for such millage rate. The District may be financed by any method established in this Act, chapter 189, or chapter 191, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time. (2) The methods for assessing and collecting non-ad valorem assessments, fees, or service charges shall be as set forth in chapter 170, chapter 189, chapter 191, or chapter 197, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time. Section 11. Annexation of territories by municipalities.-(1) For the purposes and requirements of this act, after the annexation by a municipality of any unincorporated area within the Lealman Special Fire Control District, the annexed area shall be treated as lying within the corporate boundaries of the annexing municipality and shall not be subject to a levy of the ad valorem tax that is authorized by this act. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a municipality may not annex any unincorporated territory situated within the Lealman Special Fire Control District, except an area defined as an enclave pursuant to section 171.031(13), Florida Statutes, unless the annexation is of all of the territory of the district and the annexation is approved by a majority vote of the electors of the district voting in a referendum called for that purpose. This subsection expires May 1, 2016. Section 15. Referendum.-(1) The provisions of section which authorize the levy of ad valorem taxation shall take effect only upon express approval by a majority vote of those qualified electors of the district, as required by Section 9, Article VII, of the State Constitution, voting in a referendum to be held in conjunction with the next general election. Such election shall be held in accordance with the provisions of law relating to elections currently in force in the district. (2) This act does not require a referendum to approve the levy of an ad valorem tax at a millage rate less than a millage rate previously approved by referendum pursuant to this act. Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.