MEETING OF THE DISTRICTSTuesday, July 02, 2019

9:30 AM600 S. Commerce Ave. Sebring, FL 33870

AGENDA

DISTRICTS LIST AVON PARK ESTATES S. B D. ORANGE VILLA MOBILE HOME ESTATES S. B. D.BONNETT CREEK ACRES S. B. D. PLACID LAKES S. B. D.DESOTO CITY S. B. F. D. PLACID LAKES S. B. F. D.HICKORY HILLS S. B. D. RED HILL FARMS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTHIGHLANDS PARK ESTATES S. B. D. SEBRING ACRES S. B. D.HIGHLANDS PARK S. B. F. D. SEBRING COUNTRY ESTATES S. B. D.HIGHWAY PARK S. B. D. SEBRING HILLS S. B. D.LAKE HAVEN ESTATES S. B. D. SEBRING MANOR S. B. D.LAKE PLACID S. B. F. D. SOMERVALE DOWNS S. B. D.LEISURE LAKES S. B. F. D. THUNDERBIRD ROAD WASTEWATER S. B. D.LORIDA S. B. F. D. VANTAGE POINTE II S. B. D.ORANGE BLOSSOM ESTATES S. B. D. VENUS SPECIAL B. F. D.ORANGE BLOSSOM UNIT 12 S. B. D. WEST SEBRING S. B. F. D.ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT SUN ‘N LAKE ESTATES AND ACREAGE OF LAKE PLACID—S. B. D. SUN ‘N LAKES OF LAKE PLACID RECREATION DISTRICT HIGHLANDS LAKES SPECIAL TAX DISTRICTCOUNTYWIDE FIRE DISTRICTOAK MANOR AVENUE ROAD PAVING MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT DISTRICT

1 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

2 CONSENT AGENDA 2.A Request approval to pay all duly authorized bills July 2, 2019

2.B Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Highland County, Florida, actingin its role as the Board of Supervisors of The Istokpoga Marsh WatershedImprovement District, specifying the unit of measurement for the assessment; and theamount of the assessment; stating the purpose of the assessment; specifying that theassessment will be collected for a period of more than one year and will continue fromyear to year, as Provided in Section 197.3632(6), Florida Statutes; adopting a non-advalorem assessment roll for the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District;providing for conflict; and providing for an effective date. Dawn Ritter, Natural Resources Manager The fiscal impact is an increase to Fund 109 (Istokpoga Marsh Watershed ImprovementDistrict) at $4.00 per acre, for a new total of $8.00 per acre for FY 2019/2020, excludingany escalation clause. The anticipated annual increase in revenues is approximately$75,000.00.

1

Annual Assessment Resolution for IMWID assessment increase -062019.pdfNotice of PH.pdf

2.C Request approval to dismantle the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement DistrictAdvisory Committee.Dawn Ritter, Natural Resources Manager No fiscal impactResolution Disbanding IMWID Advisory Committee

3 ACTION AGENDA

4 CITIZENS NOT ON THE AGENDA

5 ADJOURN Any person who might wish to appeal any decision made by the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida, inpublic hearing or meeting is hereby advised that he will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensurethat a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which will include the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to bebased. The Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida, does not discriminate upon the basis of any individual'sdisability status. This non-discrimination policy involves every aspect of the Board's functions, including one's access to,participation, employment or treatment in its programs or activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for inthe Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 286.26 Florida Statutes should contact Ms. Pam Rogers, ADA Coordinator at:863-402-6509 (Voice), or via Florida Relay Service 711, or by e-mail: progers@hcbcc.org. Requests for CART or interpreterservices should be made at least 24 hours in advance to permit coordination of the service. PLEASE NOTE OUR WEB SITEADDRESS: For more information on the meeting, see the County Commission page online: www.hcbcc.net

Any invocation that may be offered before the official start of the Commission meeting shall bethe voluntary offering of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Commission. The views orbeliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved bythe Commission, and the Commission is not allowed by law to endorse the religious beliefs orviews of this, or any other speaker.

2

HIGHLANDS COUNTYCOUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

DATE OF ACTION REQUEST:

PRESENTER:

SUBJECT/TITLE: Request approval to pay all duly authorized bills July 2, 2019

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Move approval to pay all duly authorized bills July 2, 2019

Attachments:

3

HIGHLANDS COUNTYCOUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

DATE OF ACTION REQUEST: July 2, 2019

PRESENTER: Dawn Ritter, Natural Resources Manager

SUBJECT/TITLE: Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Highland County, Florida,acting in its role as the Board of Supervisors of The Istokpoga Marsh WatershedImprovement District, specifying the unit of measurement for the assessment;and the amount of the assessment; stating the purpose of the assessment;specifying that the assessment will be collected for a period of more than oneyear and will continue from year to year, as Provided in Section 197.3632(6),Florida Statutes; adopting a non-ad valorem assessment roll for the IstokpogaMarsh Watershed Improvement District; providing for conflict; and providing foran effective date.

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

There is a need for an increase in the annual non-ad valorem assessment for the purpose of financing of costs for theIstokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District. This assessment increase includes costs for the acquisition of realand personal property; to adopt plans for flood and erosion control and for the reclamation of overflowed or erodedlands; clear, excavate, drain, and irrigate lands within the District; and to acquire, construct, reconstruct, equip, operate,maintain, extend, and improve systems and works for such purposes, including without limitation, dams, ponds, lakes,and canal; to acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, operate, repair, and maintain public roads; for removal ofnuisances; and for such other purposes as may be appropriate within the District.

County staff and IMWID stakeholders met to discuss the proposed assessment increase of $4.00 per acre. Countystaff, along with assistance from engineers and IMWID property owners, developed estimated operation andmaintenance (O and M) costs for the IMWID Phase 1 Above Ground Impoundment facility that is scheduled to becompleted soon. Both County staff and the IMWID stakeholder group agree a $4.00 per acre increase to the existing$4.00 assessment is warranted. The revised total assessment, if approved, would be $8.00 per acre. County staff andthe IMWID stakeholder group agree to closely monitor operation and maintenance costs of the new Phase 1 AGIfacility and should those costs increase over time, a new assessment would need to be discussed, and eventuallyapproved by the Board.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Move to approve the Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida,acting in its role as the Board of Supervisors of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District,specifying the unit of measurement for the assessment; and the amount of the assessment; stating thepurpose of the assessment; specifying that the assessment will be collected for a period of more than oneyear and will continue from year to year, as Provided in Section 197.3632(6), Florida Statutes; adopting anon-ad valorem assessment roll for the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District; providing forconflict; and providing for an effective date. 4

FISCAL IMPACT

The fiscal impact is an increase to Fund 109 (Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District) at $4.00 per acre, fora new total of $8.00 per acre for FY 2019/2020, excluding any escalation clause. The anticipated annual increase inrevenues is approximately $75,000.00.

Attachments: Annual Assessment Resolution for IMWID assessment increase -062019.pdfNotice of PH.pdf

5

1

RESOLUTION 18-19-___

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS ROLE AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, SPECIFYING THE UNIT OF MEASUREMENT FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT; STATING THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT ; SPECIFYING THAT THE ASSESSMENT WILL BE COLLECTED FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN ONE YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE FROM YEAR TO YEAR, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 197.3632(6), FLORIDA STATUTES; ADOPTING A NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, as the

Board of Supervisors of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District,

(hereinafter referred to as the “Board” and “District”, respectively), has heretofore

adopted Ordinance 80-2 which authorized the Board to provide that the costs of any

project or any part thereof be assessed against the lots and parcels of real property in

the area of the District; and

WHEREAS, the Board has heretofore adopted Resolution 91-67 determining to

use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem assessments pursuant to Section

197.3632, Florida Statutes, for the levy, collection, and enforcement of non-ad valorem

assessments for the financing of costs for projects for the District, including costs for the

acquisition of real and personal property; to adopt plans for flood and erosion control and

for the reclamation of overflowed or eroded lands; clear, excavate, drain and irrigate

lands within the District; and to acquire, construct, reconstruct, equip, operate, maintain,

extend and improve systems and works for such purposes, including without limitation,

dams, ponds, lakes and canals; to acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, operate,

repair and maintain public roads; for removal of nuisances; and for such other purposes

as may be appropriate within the District (hereinafter also referred to collectively as

“Projects”); and 6

2

WHEREAS, the Board has heretofore adopted Resolution #92-25 establishing an

annual non-ad valorem assessment of $4.00 per year, per acre or fraction thereof,

located in the District, to provide for financing of costs of projects and ongoing

maintenance; and

WHEREAS, notice of this public hearing has been given by first-class United

States Mail to the owners of the properties to be assessed for the cost to provide for

financing of Projects, and notice of this public hearing has been given by publication in

a newspaper generally circulated in Highlands County, Florida, to those owners and to

all other persons, that the Board would meet on July 2, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., local time,, or

as soon thereafter as can be heard, in the Government Center Boardroom, 600 South

Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida, to receive all written objections and hear testimony

from all interested persons; and

WHEREAS, that hearing was duly and regularly held at the designated time and

place, and the Board received all written objections and heard testimony from all

interested persons.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT:

1. USE OF AD VALOREM METHOD OF COLLECTION: The Board, having

received and considered all written objections and having heard testimony from

property owners and all other interested persons and having considered the

propriety and advisability of using the uniform method for the levy, collection, and

enforcement of non-ad valorem assessments provided in Section 197.3631,

Section 197.3632, and Section 197.3635, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of

financing of costs for projects for the District, including costs for the

acquisition of real and personal property; to adopt plans for flood and

erosion control and for the reclamation of overflowed or eroded lands; 7

3

clear, excavate, drain and irrigate lands within the District; and to acquire,

construct, reconstruct, equip, operate, maintain, extend and improve

systems and works for such purposes, including without limitation, dams,

ponds, lakes and canals; to acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve,

operate, repair and maintain public roads; for removal of nuisances; and

for such other purposes as may be appropriate within the District, the

amount to be assessed against each property to be benefitted thereby, and the

unit of measurement for the assessment, hereby determines and resolves to

proceed with the levy, collection, and enforcement of non-ad valorem

assessments for those purposes pursuant to the uniform method confirmed.

2. RATE OF NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT FOR 2019. The amount of the

annual non-ad valorem assessment for the year 2019 shall be $8.00 per year per

acre or fraction thereof located in the District. The unit of measurement shall be

per acre or fraction thereof, whether or not improved. That assessment shall be

imposed on all property within the boundaries of the District as established by the

Ordinance creating the District, and as described in Exhibit A.

3. NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR 2019. The assessments for the

year 2019, as appearing on the non-ad valorem assessment roll attached hereto

as Exhibit B, are hereby confirmed as legal, valid and binding first liens, until paid,

upon the properties identified therein against which such assessments are made,

co-equal with the lien of taxes, superior to all other liens, titles, and claims, until

paid. Those assessments are found and determined to be levied in direct

proportion to the special and positive benefits to be received by the properties

listed in that assessment roll for the purposes specified in paragraph two of this

Resolution.

8

4

4. MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT RATE. The Supervisors also hereby provide for

assessment of properties for years subsequent to the year 2019, as set forth in the

table below; providing for an increase of the amount of annual assessment up to

and including $15.00 per acre or portion thereof prior to the commencement of

each fiscal year, subsequent to Fiscal Year 2019-20, without additional notice. Any

annual assessment rate up to and including the Maximum Assessment Rate may

be utilized in preparation of the Assessment Roll for any Fiscal Year subsequent

to Fiscal Year 2019-20. However, no increase shall be permitted that would

increase the Maximum Rate of Assessment beyond the amount stated in the table

below, unless an increase in the Maximum Rate of Assessment is proposed and

approved by passage of an annual assessment resolution by the Supervisors in

accordance with Ordinance No. 80-2.

Parcel 2019 Maximum Rate Levied for Years Subsequent to 2019

Tax parcel, whether improved

or not improved

$8.00 per acre or portion

thereof

$15.00 per acre or portion

thereof

5. UNIFORM METHOD FOR LEVY, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT. It is the

intent of the Board to utilize the aforementioned uniform method for the levy,

collection, and enforcement of non-ad valorem assessments for the year 2019 and

each year thereafter until discontinued for a year or another method is adopted by

the Board. Until lawfully changed by the Board, the amount of the annual

assessment for the year 2019 shall be $8.00 per acre or fraction thereof. The

Board hereby adopts the non-ad valorem assessment roll attached hereto as

Exhibit B as the non-ad valorem assessment roll for this assessment for the year

2019 and each year thereafter until discontinued for a year or another non-ad 9

5

valorem assessment roll is lawfully adopted by the Board for this purpose. All such

assessments, when made, shall be legal, valid, and binding first liens, until paid,

upon the properties against which such assessments are made as identified in the

non-ad valorem assessment roll for the year of assessment, co-equal with the lien

of taxes, superior to all other liens, titles, and claims, until paid. The non-ad

valorem assessment roll attached hereto as Exhibit B may be modified and

amended as allowed by Florida law.

6. CONFLICT. All Resolutions or parts thereof which conflict with the provisions of

this Resolution are hereby superseded and repealed to the extent of the conflict.

7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its

passage.

THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after duly noticed public hearings on this ____ day of

July, 2019.

(SEAL) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA,

ATTEST: James L. Brooks, Chairman

Robert W. Germaine, Clerk

G:\COUNTY\RESOLUTIONS\Lake Istokpoga\Annual Assessment Resolution for IMWID assessment increase -062019.docx

10

1

EXHIBIT "A"

The areas to be affected by the levy shall embrace the boundaries of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District of Highlands County, described as follows: All of Section 25 lying East of Lake Istokpoga. East ½ of Section 35 lying South of Lake Istokpoga,

all of Section 36 lying South of Lake Istokpoga in Township 36, Range 30.

And

All of Section 1, 2 and the East ½ of Section 3. All Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26,

and 35 in Township 37, Range 30.

And

All of Section 31, 32, and West ½ of Section 33 in Township 36 Range 31.

And

West ½ of Section 3 and all of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 22 in Township 37,

Range 31.

And

East ¼ of Section 21 in Township 37, Range 31.

11

2

EXHIBIT “B”

ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL

12

www.highlandsnewssun.com June 12, 2019 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | A5

Lillian M. MartinezLillian M. Martinez,

45, of Avon Park, Florida, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2019, in Sebring, Florida. She was born on Dec. 11, 1973 in New York, New York to John Hugh Simmons and Luisa Elena (Bernardino) Simmons.

Lillian worked as a phlebotomist and was a member of Union Church in Avon Park, Florida.

Survivors include her mother, Luisa Elena Simmons of Avon Park,

Florida; daughter, Felicita Nieves of Avon Park, Florida; sons, Christian Nieves and Samuel Martinez, both of Avon Park, Florida and Calvin Martinez of Wyoming; sister, Lisa Fowler (Chris Short) of Avon Park, Florida; brothers, Orlando Antonio Delvillar, Samuel (Esther) Delvillar, Pablo (Ali) Delvillar, and Angel (Vicky) Delvillar, all of New York; granddaughter, Ainsley Martinez; and companion, Jose Pizarro.

Lillian was preceded

in death by her father, John Hugh Simmons, and brother, Bobby Delvillar.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2019 at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home with family having a time of visitation from noon to 1 p.m.

Services entrusted to Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, 111 E. Circle St., Avon Park, FL 33825. Online condolenc-es may be left at stephen-sonnelsonfh.com.

OBITUARIES

Some were renting as far away as Lakeland, Bradenton or Sarasota.

SupplyRossi also said the local

vacancy rate for local rental properties is 3-4% while the target rate for multi-family vacancy is 7%, indicating Highlands County is a tight market.

“It’s impacting people’s availability to move in or move up,” Rossi said.

There is “pent-up” demand, Rossi said: 2,977 new units needed in the next 10 years.

Comparing to new development in Lakeland and Davenport, the study was able to find a market rental rate of 93 cents per square foot, or $900-$1,000 per month for a 900-1,050-square-foot apartment.

The study estimates that with a $4 million in-vestment and $12 million loan, a developer should be able to build 12-18 units per acre and earn $1.32 million in the first year, equal to a yield of 8% and a five-year return of 20% or more.

There will be challenges to find developers willing to take a chance on building large-scale new construction, she said. The smaller renovation projects, Rossi added, would be easier.

Where to buildThe study also iden-

tified nine “nodes” with proximity to employers and amenities, with site visibility, access to major roads and land already zoned for me-dium- to high-density development.

• NuCor, where indus-trial development will bring jobs in the near term.

• Downtown Avon Park with access to parks and city amenities in the near to mid-term.

• South Florida State College, which has ex-pressed a need for nearby student housing in the near term.

• Sun ‘N Lake of Sebring near by AdventHealth Sebring in the near to mid-term.

• The North Sebring area by and near Sebring Parkway Phase 3 has mid- to long-term potential. Landowners in the area, more than a decade ago, rezoned land for high density in anticipation of development.

• U.S. 27 in Sebring by retail outlets at Shops at Shelby Crossing and Lakeshore Mall in the near term.

• Land by or near Agero and Highlands Regional Medical Center in the near term.

• Historic downtown Sebring and its access to Lake Jackson and other amenities. Renovation is underway to convert old hotels to apartments in the near term of two or three years.

• Spring Lake Improvement District, adjacent to job centers at Sebring Regional Airport and Industrial Park and at Sebring International Raceway, could have multi-family apartments in the near to mid-term.

No ‘comps’Commission Chair Jim

Brooks said he hears from developers that they can’t get a mortgage from the bank because they don’t have comparable devel-opment in the area so their project will work.

Rossi said county officials, in addition to tweaking code, may need to go into partnership to get something done.

That’s where a discus-sion about the county’s “appetite to be a partner,” whether alone or in a public-private part-nership, would need to happen, she said.

It might be enough to facilitate the meeting to

connect potential part-ners, she said.

Commissioner Don Elwell called the study a “good first step” and said he knows of some projects being discussed in the “nodes” that may happen sooner than the downtown Sebring ones.

Funds/CodeRossi said investors are

still “bullish” on apart-ments, and that may help, also.

Brooks asked coun-ty staff if there are public funds to help. Development Services Director Benjamin Dunn said there are, which could help provide enough capital to help a developer move forward.

As for tweaking code, Kimley Horn Senior Planner Kelley Klepper suggested the county add the term “workforce” into its housing categories, encouraging infill and re-development and adding specific incentives.

The “nodes” already have high-density land use and incorporate both the cities and county, allowing developers to work with one or both, Klepper said.

Currently, the county allows 12 units per acre. Brooks said the county might consider the study’s recommendation of 16 or more.

“Opportunity nodes” were added to the Highlands County Future Land Use Map and Comprehensive Plan and to the documents’ definitions.

Since the study was paid for by a Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant, received last September, Kimley Horn has been sending updates to the DEO throughout the process. Rossi said the next transmittal is due on June 21.

HOUSINGFROM PAGE 1A

ones benefiting at Avon Park’s cost, Barnard said.

“I just think that this is getting to be way out of hand and it seems like it grows every time we have a meeting,” he said. “I am very concerned. I believe in future growth, but I believe in people paying for future growth.”

Anderson said it should be considered as an in-vestment and he doesn’t care where it is located. The project should fund itself because it will gen-erate $145,000 per year.

Councilwoman Maria Sutherland said there are grant possibilities that can be fast tracked that can be pursued without delaying the project.

Nucor Steel Florida Vice President and Plant Manager Drew Wilcox said almost a year ago Avon Park commited to Nucor that it would supply utility service so Nucor stopped looking at any other options to locate its mill.

“Any further delays or changes is absolutely

going to stop us from hiring local people and completing this project,” he said.

Sutherland said the city is subject to the mistakes of its prior administration.

“I have no doubt that the project will go through,” she said, but the city should see what funding sources could help with paying for the utility extension.

Wilcox said Nucor needs to have a locker room and administration building with water and sewer service before bringing in a bunch of people to start training and doing what needs to be done to finish the project and operate the business.

Conley Jahna said Jahna Concrete has hired additional employees and will hire more and has new trucks coming for the Nucor project. Hicks Oil Company will be supplying the fuel for those trucks.

Highlands County Commissioner Jim Brooks said, “Let’s move forward; I would be will-ing to help,” but he does

not know the opinion of the other commissioners on the matter.

Avon Park Infrastructure Director Ronnie Jones said the en-gineering for the project is 80% complete.

He said additional work would be needed on a preliminary study of an alternate route that was suggested to cut costs and permitting issues.

It was decided that a further study of the alter-nate route would delay the project and likely not save a significant amount of money.

City Manager David Flowers noted that, according to the grant the city received for the utility project, work has to start by Sept. 30.

As the city looks for funding assistance, Mayor Garrett Anderson stressed, “Progress is not being stopped.”

NUCORFROM PAGE 1A

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=3686066-1

NOTICE BY THE ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT TO CONSIDER AN INCREASE TO THE

NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT LEVIED AGAINST EACH ACRE OR

FRACTION THEREOF

Notice is hereby given that the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, acting in its role as the Board of Supervisors of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District (“Board”) will hold a public hearing to consider an increase to the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District non-ad valorem assessment levied against each acre or fraction thereof located within the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District of Highlands County for the purpose of providing for the financing of costs of projects and ongoing maintenance for the District. This notice is given pursuant to Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as can be heard, at the Government Center Boardroom, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, Florida. All interested parties have the right to appear and be heard at the public hearing and the right to file written objections with the Board within twenty (20) days of the publication of this notice. Written objections should be sent to Highlands County Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Department, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, FL 33870. If the Board determines that continuation of the hearing is necessary, the date, time, and location of the continuation of the hearing will be announced at the public hearing on July 2, 2019.

Any person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board in a public hearing or meeting is hereby advised that they will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.

Each acre or fraction thereof located in the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District will be subject to an annual Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District non-ad valorem assessment in the amount not to exceed $15.00, beginning October 1, 2019, which will be collected for a period of more than one year and will continue from year to year as provided in Section 297.3632(6), Florida Statutes. The non-ad valorem assessment for October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 will not exceed $8.00 per acre or fraction thereof. The total annual revenue the County expects to collect with this assessment is $151,184.00 in the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020; and the total annual revenue the County expects to collect with the maximum annual assessment rate of $15.00 per acre or fraction thereof, in any fiscal year subsequent to Fiscal Year 2019-2020, is $283,470.00.

The boundaries of the property subject to the assessment shall be all of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District, shown as the shaded area on the geographic depiction below:

The assessments will appear on the annual tax bill and will be collected by the Tax Collector, as authorized by Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessment will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which may result in loss of title to the property.

If you have any questions, please contact the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Department at (863) 402-6505; Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA, DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE UPON THE BASIS OF ANY INDIVIDUAL’S DISABILITY STATUS. THIS NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY INVOLVES EVERY ASPECT OF THE BOARD’S FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ONE’S ACCESS TO, PARTICIPATION, EMPLOYMENT OR TREATMENT IN ITS PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES. ANYONE REQUIRING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OR SECTION 286.26, FLORIDA STATUTES, SHOULD CONTACT PAMELA ROGERS, ADA COORDINATOR AT 863-402-6509 (VOICE), VIA FLORIDA RELAY SERVICE 711, OR BY E-MAIL: PROGERS@HCBCC.ORG. ADDRESS: 600 S. COMMERCE AVE. SEBRING FL 33870. REQUEST FOR CART OR INTERPRETER SERVICES SHOULD BE MADE AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE TO PERMIT COORDINATION OF THE SERVICE.

13

HIGHLANDS COUNTYCOUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

DATE OF ACTION REQUEST: July 2, 2019

PRESENTER: Dawn Ritter, Natural Resources Manager

SUBJECT/TITLE: Request approval to dismantle the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed ImprovementDistrict Advisory Committee.

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

Request approval to dismantle the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District (IMWID) Advisory Committeedue to inactivity since 2016. The previous Advisory Committee and other IMWID property owners wish to continue tomeet and discuss IMWID related business, collectively as stakeholders, and make recommendations to the Board ofCounty Commissioners.

The establishment of the Advisory Committee was provided in Ordinance 80-2 and Section 9.238 of the HighlandsCounty Code of Ordinances:Sec. 9-238. - Advisory committees.The board may, in its discretion, and from time to time, appoint one or more advisory committees with respect to anyproject or projects of the district or with respect to any aspect thereof. Each member of an advisory committeeappointed pursuant to this article shall be an owner of real property situated within the area of the district or arepresentative designated by such an owner of real property situated within the area of the district; and each advisorycommittee shall have as many members as the board shall consider appropriate.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Request approval to dismantle the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District Advisory Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT

No fiscal impact

Attachments: Resolution Disbanding IMWID Advisory Committee

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RESOLUTION NO. 18-19___

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA, RESCINDING THE MOTION CREATING THE ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED ADVISORY BOARD; DISSOLVING THE ISTOKPOGA MARSH WATERSHED ADVISORY BOARD; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida (Board) was regularly assembled on the 10th day of June 1980; and

WHEREAS, a motion was made and properly seconded to establish the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Board and to appoint members to serve on the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, members of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Board and other citizens of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District have expressed an interest in working together as an informal community group to discuss matters and to make recommendations to the Board.

WHEREAS, the Board deems that the best interests of the citizens within the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District can sufficiently be presented to the Board through individuals or an informal community group; and

WHEREAS, the Board sincerely appreciates the past and present members of the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Board, also known as the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Committee, for their hours of volunteer work and congratulates them on their many accomplishments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA,THAT:

1. The motion creating the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Board and appointing members to serve on that Board is hereby rescinded.

2. The Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Board, also known as the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Advisory Committee, is hereby dissolved.

3. The sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Resolution are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection or section of this Resolution shall be declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable by the valid judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, unconstitutionality or unenforceability shall

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not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, subsections, and sections of this Resolution.

4. Any Resolution or part thereof in conflict with this Resolution or any part hereof is hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict.

5 This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

DONE AND ADOPTED, this ______ day of _______________, 2019.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA, a political subdivision of the State of Florida

By: James L. Brooks, Chairman

(SEAL)

ATTEST:

By: Robert W. Germaine, Clerk of Court

G:\COUNTY\RESOLUTIONS\Lake Istokpoga\Resolution Disbanding IMWID Advisory Committee.doc

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