Agenda Item Name:
Title
Public Hearing and Notice of Intent to Use the Uniform Method to impose Non-Ad Valorem Assessments for a Special Assessment District for NW 180th Street.
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Presenter:
Ramon D. Gavarrete, P.E.
Description:
Board consideration of a Resolution and Notice of Intent to establish a Special Assessment District to use an alternative surface treatment on NW 180th Street, to be funded through non-ad valorem assessments.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
That the Board adopt the Resolution of Intent to Use the Uniform Method of Collection of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments for Roadway Improvements to NW 180th Street.
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Prior Board Motions:
December 8, 2020, the Board directed staff to continue the process for a Special Assessment District for NW 180th Street and conduct a Property Owner Interest Poll
January 12, 2021, the Board authorized staff to advertise a Public Hearing to consider a Resolution and Notice of Intent to Use the Uniform Method to impose a Non-Ad Valorem Assessment
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The funding source will be the Gas Tax Fund (Fund 149) reserves. The assessment will not be incurred until November, 2021 for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
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Background:
NW 180th Street is a public right-of-way, dedicated to the public by the plat of Candlewood Estates, recorded in Plat Book H, Page 71 of the Public Records of Alachua County, Florida. It is an unpaved lime rock road maintained by the abutting property owners. It is approximately 1,000 feet in length and there are eight platted lots abutting NW 180th Street which would be benefited by paving the street.
The County received a resident initiated Preliminary Special Assessment District Petition, signed by the requisite number of benefitted property owners, with the required application fee, requesting the County to initiate the process for the creation of a Special Assessment District for the purpose of improving the road with an alternative surface treatment (chip seal). The estimated cost for the improvements is $36,732.00. Amortized over 10 years, this would equal an annual assessment of approximately $459.15, per parcel, per year, not including any financing and interest costs.
On December 8, 2020, the Board directed County staff to conduct a Property Owner Interest Poll (the Poll), as required by Chapter 37 of the Alachua County Code. Staff prepared the Poll describing the improvement, showing the area to be specially benefitted, containing the estimated improvement cost and the allocation of the cost to each benefitted property owner. Staff mailed the Poll to all benefitted property owners and received a signed response from 87.5% (7 out of 8) of the benefitted property owners. 85.7% (6 out of 7) of the responding property owners have voted in favor of establishment of the Special Assessment District, exceeding the response requirement and affirmative vote requirement contained in Alachua County Code, Chapter 37.09.
On January 12, 2021, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the advertisement of a Public Hearing to consider the establishment of a Special Assessment District to use an alternative surface treatment on NW 180th Street, and Notice of Intent to use the uniform method for collecting non-ad valorem assessments. The hearing and notice were advertised for 4 consecutive weeks preceding this hearing, as required by Florida Statutes, Section 197.3632 (3)(a).
If the Board adopts this resolution, the next step of the process to create the Special Assessment District is a final advertisement and hearing, at which time the Board will consider the inclusion of the special assessment on the ad valorem assessment roll to be adopted in September.
It is not anticipated that this roadway will qualify for the County’s Graded Road Improvement Program in the foreseeable future. If the County establishes the Special Assessment District and improves the roadway, the County will be responsible for maintaining the improved roadway.