Subject:
Title
Ordinance and resolution authorizing the Board of County Commissioners to request the Pinellas County Tax Collector use the Uniform Method for collecting Non-Ad Valorem Assessments for servicing of a Downtown Palm Harbor Street Lighting District.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adoption of an ordinance and resolution authorizing the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to request the Pinellas County Tax Collector use the Uniform Method for collecting Non-Ad Valorem Assessments for servicing of a Downtown Palm Harbor Street Lighting District (SLD).
• Ninety-five LED “Dark Sky” compliant streetlights with new underground conductors and conduits will be installed and connected per national standards.
• Estimated monthly cost for maintenance and energy for the 42-parcel district is approximately $3,850.00.00 monthly and $46,200.00 annually.
• Total approximate assessment for the forty-two parcels will be $1,100.00 annually or $92.00 monthly.
• Determined collection and enforcement of street lighting assessments best accomplished through the Uniform Method pursuant to Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes.
• Section 197.3632, (3)(a), Florida Statutes states a resolution be adopted at a public hearing prior to March 1, 2025, if the property appraiser, tax collector, and local government agree. The Property Appraiser and Tax Collector has granted this extension.
• The Board must approve the ordinance prior to adoption of the resolution.
• Upon a favorable vote, the Board will issue authority to advertise two items including creation of the SLD and intent to use the Uniform Collection Method. A public hearing date will be set.Body
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to create and enhance a safe, secure, and healthy community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
Summary:
Summary
On December 17, 2024, the Board approved Resolution 24-98 authorizing a public hearing for the consideration of use the Uniform Method for the servicing of the proposed SLD within the unincorporated area of Pinellas County as permitted by Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes.
In the event the Board adopts an ordinance to create the SLD, it has been determined that the collection and enforcement of street lighting assessments would best be accomplished through the Uniform Method pursuant to Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. The action to create an SLD is governed by Pinellas County Ordinance 04-50.
Implementation of the Uniform Method requires adherence to statutory guidelines. The first of those statutory requirements is that the Board adopt a resolution stating its intent to use the Uniform Method for street lighting assessments. Resolution 24-98 is the required resolution stating the BCC’s intention to use the Uniform Method.
A second public hearing will be held on or before September 15, 2025, to consider a final resolution to adopt the assessment roll and initiate the obligation of the assessment beginning of Tax Year 2025.
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Background Information:
Street lighting in downtown Palm Harbor was one of the top five (5) recommendations of the Downtown Palm Harbor Master Plan update emanating from public engagement beginning in 2015. The current street lighting is unmaintained and inadequate to illuminate the sidewalks and on-street parking in all areas of the downtown business district. The proposed street lighting plan, photogrammetrically engineered by Duke Energy, will install 95 LED streetlights, and will provide the proper amount of lighting per national standards. Proposed Downtown Palm Harbor Street Lighting District consists of forty-two parcel units.
In 2016, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 16-90 delegating to the County Administrator the authority to enter into an agreement with the Downtown Palm Harbor Merchants’ Association, Inc. (DPHMA) for a Historic Palm Harbor Street Lights and Landscaping project funded by the Deepwater Horizon Settlement.
The DPHMA did not fulfill the terms of the agreement. The 35 streetlights and landscaping improvements went unmaintained since being installed. The Greater Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce has voluntarily paid the cost of the electric service for the streetlights that remain operating.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost to create the district, including advertising the public hearing, and all mailed notices associated with the SLD, will be paid by the property owners in the SLD assessment district as part of the first year’s SLD assessment. Advertising costs will not be come from the General Fund or be a part of the annual assessment after the first 12 months.
The first twelve (12) month direct annual economic impact of the Ordinance on the 42 property owners in the assessment district for maintenance (performed by Duke Energy), equipment rental, and energy cost is estimated to be $1,100.00 per year.
The one-time cost of constructing the SLD infrastructure is estimated to be $400,000.00 and will be funded by the Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) Special Project Funding Reserves.
Staff Member Responsible:
Thomas Almonte, Assistant County Administrator
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Property Appraisers Office
Tax Collector
Downtown Palm Harbor Merchants Association
Attachments:
Ordinance including Exhibit A Legal Description
Resolution including Exhibit A Legal Description
Business Impact Estimate
Resolution No. 24-98 including Exhibit A Legal Description
Cost Estimate
Assessment Area Map
Signed Petitions
Property Appraiser Extension Letter
Tax Collector Extension Letter
Ordinance 40-50
Electronic Affidavit of Publication - Resolution