HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LOCAL BILL STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 1573 Pace Fire Rescue District, Santa Rosa County
SPONSOR(S): Andrade and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special 15 Y, 0 N Roy Darden
Districts Subcommittee
2) Ways & Means Committee 21 Y, 0 N Rexford Aldridge
3) State Affairs Committee 19 Y, 0 N Burgess Williamson
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Independent special fire control districts are a type of independent special district created by the Legislature for
the purpose of providing fire suppression and related activities within the territorial jurisdiction of the district.
Independent special fire control districts are governed by both the Uniform Special District Accountability Act
and the Independent Special Fire Control District Act. Independent special fire control districts may levy ad
valorem taxes as provided in the special act creating the district, and may also levy non-ad valorem
assessments subject to statutory limitations and referendum approval.
The Pace Fire Rescue District (District) was created by special act in 2018, and is a successor entity to a
municipal services benefit unit established in 1959. The District currently operates two fire stations and
employs 22 career personnel, one full-time fire inspector, and one full-time administrative personnel. The
District currently levies an ad valorem tax of 1.53 mills, generating approximately $4.1 million in revenue
annually.
The bill amends the District’s charter, effective October 1, 2024, to remove its authority to assess and levy ad
valorem taxes, and imposes restrictions on the District’s ability to levy non-ad valorem assessments, imposing
the following maximum rates:
$250 for residential properties up to 1,600 square feet, with an additional $0.1544 per square foot in
excess of 1,600 square feet.
$30.96 for vacant land.
$500 for commercial properties up to 950 square feet, with an additional $0.1544 per square foot in
excess of 950 square feet.
$30.96 for unimproved acreage up to three acres, with an additional $10.32 per acre in excess of three
acres.
The bill allows the board to adopt an initial levy of a non-ad valorem assessment, subject to the rate limits set
forth in the bill, by resolution without the need for a referendum.
The Economic Impact Statement anticipates that the assessments authorized by the bill will generate
approximately $3,336,626 in revenue in the first fiscal year, and that revenue will increase by $344,669 in the
second fiscal year.
According to House Rule 5.5(b), a local bill providing an exemption from general law may not be placed
on the Special Order Calendar for expedited consideration. Since this bill creates an exemption to
general law, the provisions of House Rule 5.5(b) apply.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h1573e.SAC
DATE: 2/14/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Special Districts
A “special district” is a unit of local government created for a particular purpose, with jurisdiction to
operate within a limited geographic boundary.1 Special districts are created by general law, special act,
local ordinance, or rule of the Governor and Cabinet.2 A special district has only those powers
expressly provided by, or reasonably implied from, the authority provided in the district’s charter.
Special districts provide specific municipal services in addition to, or in place of, those provided by a
municipality or county.3 Special districts are funded through the imposition of ad valorem taxes, fees, or
charges on the users of those services as authorized by law. 4
Special districts may be classified as dependent or independent based on their relationship with local
general-purpose governments. A special district is classified as “dependent” if the governing body of a
single county or municipality:
Serves as governing body of the district;
Appoints the governing body of the district;
May remove members of the district’s governing body at-will during their unexpired terms; or
Approves or can veto the budget of the district.5
A district is classified as “independent” if it does not meet any of the above criteria or is located in more
than one county, unless the district lies entirely within the boundaries of a single municipality.6
Special districts do not possess “home rule” powers and may impose only those taxes, assessments,
or fees authorized by special or general law. The special act creating an independent special district
may provide for funding from a variety of sources while prohibiting others. For example, ad valorem tax
authority is not mandatory for a special district.7
Independent Special Fire Control Districts
An independent special fire control district is a type of independent special district created by the
Legislature for the purpose of providing fire suppression and related activities within the territorial
jurisdiction of the district.8 The Independent Special Fire Control District Act (Act) 9 is intended to
provide standards, direction, and procedures for greater uniformity in the operation and governance of
these districts, including financing authority, fiscally-responsible service delivery, and election of
members to the governing boards for greater public accountability.10 The Act controls over more
specific provisions in any special act or general law of local application creating an independent special
1
See Halifax Hospital Medical Center v. State of Fla., et al., 278 So. 3d 545, 547 (Fla. 2019).
2 See ss. 189.02(1), 189.031(3), and. 190.005(1), F.S. See generally s. 189.012(6), F.S.
3
Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee, The Local Government Formation Manual, 62, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3227 (last visited Feb. 1, 2024).
4 The method of financing a district must be stated in its charter. Ss. 189.02(4)(g), 189.031(3), F.S. Independent special dist ricts may be
authorized to impose ad valorem taxes as well as non-ad valorem special assessments in the special acts comprising their charters.
See, e.g., ch. 2023-335, s. 6 of s. 1, Laws of Fla. (East River Ranch Stewardship District). See also, e.g., ss. 190.021 (community
development districts), 191.009 (independent fire control districts), 197.3631 (non-ad valorem assessments), 298.305 (water control
districts), and 388.221, F.S. (mosquito control), and ch. 2004 -397, s. 27 of s. 3, Laws of Fla. (South Broward Hospital District).
5 S. 189.012(2), F.S.
6 S. 189.012(3), F.S.
7 See, e.g., ch. 2006-354, Laws of Fla. (Argyle Fire District may impose special assessments, but has no ad valorem tax authority).
8
S. 191.003(5), F.S.
9 Ch. 191, F.S.
10 S. 191.002, F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h1573e.SAC PAGE: 2
DATE: 2/14/2024
fire control district’s charter.11 The Act requires every independent special fire control district be
governed by a five-member board12 and provides for general powers, special powers, and issuance of
district bonds and evidences of debt.13
The Act provides that an independent special fire control district may levy and assess ad valorem taxes
on all taxable property in the district to construct, operate, and maintain district facilities and services at
a rate not to exceed 3.75 mills, unless a higher amount has been previously authorized by law and
approved by the electors of the district.14
An independent special fire control district may levy non-ad valorem assessments to construct, operate
and maintain district facilities and services provided pursuant to the district’s general powers, special
powers, any applicable general laws of local application, and a district's enabling legislation.15 The
initial assessment of such a levy must be approved by the electors of the district in a referendum. The
rate of the assessment is set using an assessment apportionment methodology that meets fair
apportionment standards.16 The rate set by the board may not exceed the maximum rates established
by special act, county ordinance, the previous year's resolution, or referendum in an amount not to
exceed the average annual growth rate in Florida personal income over the previous five years, unless
a higher rate is approved by the voters in a referendum.17
Independent special fire control districts are authorized to cooperate and contract with other
governmental agencies to provide effective mutual aid, including exercising powers outside the district’s
boundary in cooperation with another governmental agency that shares such powers in common with
the district.18
As a type of independent special district,19 independent special fire control districts are subject to
applicable provisions of ch. 189, F.S., the “Uniform Special District Accountability Act.” 20
Pace Fire Rescue District
The Pace Fire Rescue District (District) was created by special act in 2018, 21 and is a successor entity
to a municipal services benefit unit established in 1959. The District currently operates two fire stations
and employs 22 career personnel, one full-time fire inspector, and one full-time administrative
personnel.22 The District serves the Pace, Pea Ridge, Floridatown, and Wallace communities, as well
as the southern tip of the Chumuckla area, a total area of 64 square miles with approximately 35,000
residences.23 The District is governed by an elected five-member board that serves four-year terms.24
The District’s ad valorem tax rate is limited to 2.5 mills by its charter. 25 In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, the
District levied an ad valorem tax of 1.53 mills and is projected to generate approximately $4.1 million in
revenue.26 The District’s charter authorizes the District to levy non-ad valorem assessments, however,
11
S. 191.004, F.S. Provisions in other laws pertaining to district boundaries or geographical sub-districts for electing members to the
governing board are excluded from this section. Id.
12 S. 191.005(1)(a), F.S. A fire control district may continue to be governed by a three -member board if authorized by special act
adopted in or after 1997.
13 Ss. 191.006, 191.008, and 191.012, F.S.
14 S. 191.009(1), F.S.
15
S. 191.009(2)(a), F.S.
16 See s. 191.011(1), F.S.
17
S. 191.009(2)(a), F.S.
18 S. 191.006(13), F.S.
19 S. 191.014(1), F.S., providing that new districts are created by the Legislature pursuant to s. 189.031, F.S.
20 S. 189.031, F.S.
21 Ch. 2017-221, Laws of Fla.
22
Pace Fire Rescue District, Pace Fire Rescue District 7 Year Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020 through 2026, available at
https://pacefirerescuedistrict.com/required-reporting (last visited Feb. 1, 2024).
23 Kevin Robinson, Pace fire district seeks independence, Pensacola News Journal (October 30, 2016),
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pace/2016/10/30/pace-fire-district-seeks-independence/92793094/ (last visited Feb. 1, 2024).
24 Ch. 2017-221, s. 5, Laws of Fla.
25
Ch. 2017-221, s. 13, Laws of Fla.
26 Pace Fire Rescue District, FY 2023-2024 Budget, available at https://pacefirerescuedistrict.com/required-reporting (last visited Feb.
1, 2024).
STORAGE NAME: h1573e.SAC PAGE: 3
DATE: 2/14/2024
the first-time levy must be approved by a referendum.27 Currently, the District is not levying non-ad
valorem assessments.
Effect of Proposed Changes
The bill amends the District’s charter, effective October 1, 2024, to remove its ability to assess and levy
ad valorem taxes. The bill also imposes restrictions on the District board’s ability to levy non-ad valorem
assessments, imposing maximum rates as follows:
$250 for residential properties up to 1,600 square feet, with an additional $0.1544 per square
foot in excess of 1,600 square feet.
$30.96 for vacant land.
$500 for commercial properties up to 950 square feet, with an additional $0.1544 per square
foot in excess of 950 square feet.
$30.96 for unimproved acreage up to three acres, with an additional $10.32 cents per acre in
excess of three acres.
The bill authorizes the board to adopt an initial levy of a non-ad valorem assessment, subject to the
rate limits set forth in this bill, by resolution without the need for a referendum.
The Economic Impact Statement anticipates the assessments authorized by the bill will generate
approximately $3,336,626 in revenue the first FY and increasing by $344,669 in the second FY.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends ch. 2017-221, Laws of Fla., repealing the District’s authority to levy ad valorem
taxes and establishes a maximum rate for non-ad valorem assessments.
Section 2: Allows the District to adopt an initial levy of a non-ad valorem assessment without a
referendum.
Section 3: Provides an effective date of upon becoming a law except as otherwise expressly
provided in the bill.
II. NOTICE/REFERENDUM AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A. NOTICE PUBLISHED? Yes [X] No []
IF YES, WHEN? November 16, 2023.
WHERE? Navarre Press, a weekly newspaper published in Santa Rosa County.
B. REFERENDUM(S) REQUIRED? Yes [] No [X]
IF YES, WHEN?
C. LOCAL BILL CERTIFICATION FILED? Yes [X] No []
D. ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT FILED? Yes [X] No []
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
None.
27 Ch. 2017-221, s. 8(3), Laws of Fla.
STORAGE NAME: h1573e.SAC PAGE: 4
DATE: 2/14/2024
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
The bill neither provides authority for nor requires rulemaking by executive branch agencies .
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
According to House Rule 5.5(b), a local bill providing an exemption from general law may not be placed
on the Special Order Calendar for expedited consideration. Since this bill creates an exemption to
general law, the provisions of House Rule 5.5(b) apply.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.
STORAGE NAME: h1573e.SAC PAGE: 5
DATE: 2/14/2024