Opinion ID: 1137001
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Important Public Functions Served by Special Districts

Text: I reject the argument that special districts provide only a limited governmental function. I also reject the suggestion that Dickinson should apply only to counties, entities providing the public system of education, and agencies, departments, or branches of state government that perform the administration of state government. Such an approach has no constitutional support. Special districts have been given very substantial governmental responsibilities. It is special districts that manage the State's water supply. Further, special districts are involved in transportation, health care, and public safety matters. The constitution recognizes the importance of special districts by granting them the following rights and responsibilities. Special districts may have ad valorem taxing authority. Art. VII, § 9, Fla. Const. [12] Special districts are considered to be local governmental entities in matters concerning the transfer of powers and functions among such entities. Art. VII, § 4, Fla. Const. Special districts may issue revenue bonds to finance port facilities that are payable solely from the revenue derived from the sale, operation, or leasing of the projects. Art. VII, § 10, Fla. Const. Special districts may issue bonds payable from ad valorem taxation. Art. VII, § 12, Fla. Const. Special districts are authorized to establish civil service systems. Art. III, § 14, Fla. Const. Finally, special districts must comply with the dictates of the public records and meetings provisions. Art. I, § 24, Fla. Const. Not only does the constitution give special districts important rights and responsibilities; but, indeed, this Court has also found that special districts are important governmental entities. For instance, special districts are entitled to sovereign immunity under the provisions of section 768.28, Florida Statutes (1995). Eldred v. North Broward Hosp. Dist., 498 So.2d 911 (Fla.1986)(special districts called independent establishments of the state). The employee records of special districts are subject to the Florida Public Records Act. Michel v. Douglas, 464 So.2d 545 (Fla.1985). Special districts are subject to the Public Employees Relations Act. See National Union v. Southeast Volusia Hosp. Dist., 436 So.2d 294 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983); Southeast Volusia Hosp. Dist. v. National Union of Hosp. & Health Care Employees, 429 So.2d 1232 (Fla. 5th DCA 1983), review dismissed, 452 So.2d 568 (Fla.1984); Hitt v. North Broward Hosp. Dist., 387 So.2d 482 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980). Finally, special districts are subject to the government-in-the-sunshine law. News-Press Publishing Co. v. Carlson, 410 So.2d 546 (Fla. 2d DCA 1982). In light of the crucial duties and responsibilities held by special districts, it makes no sense to unduly burden the taxpayers in these districts by judicially stripping the districts of their immunity. The public policy ramifications of such a stripping would undoubtedly be significant.