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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_41-99/00_02/10/2000• • • RESOLUTION NO. 41-99/00 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., IN ITS EFFORTS TO PROTECT MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE UTILITY SERVICES OUTSIDE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES AND TO PERMIT THE CONTINUATION OF THE UTILITY RATE SURCHARGES FOR CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE OF THE MUNICIPALITY'S BOUNDARIES WHO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF SUCH UTILITY SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Chapter 180, Florida Statues, authorizes a municipality to construct and extend water or utility service outside of its corporate boundaries while providing for reasonable regulations over customers of the utility who reside outside of the municipality; and WHEREAS, Section 180.191, Florida Statues, sets forth the manner in which a municipality, operating a water or sewer utility outside of its corporate boundaries, may charge rates and fees for the service; and additionally mandates that such rates, fees and charges be equitable by setting a maximum surcharge of twenty-five (25) percent above the rates charge to customers of the utility who reside within the municipal corporate boundaries; and WHEREAS, the Florida Supreme Court in the case of Mohme v. City of Cocoa, 328 So.2d 422 (Fla. 1976) has upheld the constitutionality and non- discriminatory nature of the above-referenced surcharges based, in part, on the "substantial expenditures for capital improvements which are brought about by the demand of non-city residents;" and WHEREAS, Orange County is currently attempting to have the State Law amended in order to remove the authority of municipalities to levy the utility surcharge; and WHEREAS, a bill was introduced by State Representative Luis Rojas during the 1999 • C7 Legislative Session which sought to lower the maximum surcharge to ten (10) percent from the present twenty-five (25) percent; and WHEREAS, due to the rapid population growth in unincorporated areas of the State, there is an ever increasing demand for the provision of utility services from nearby municipal utilities, thereby exerting tremendous pressure on the municipalities of the State of Florida to provide these services to those outside their corporate boundaries and the substantial expenditures for the capital improvements necessary to provide these services to non-municipal residents would be borne disproportionately by the municipalities without the statutory authority to levy a reasonable surcharge. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, that: Section 1. The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, hereby supports the Florida League of Cities, Inc., in its efforts to ensure the continuation of municipal authority to provide utility services outside of incorporated boundaries and to recover the substantial costs of providing such services by retaining the ability to levy a reasonable surcharge on residents located outside the municipality who directly benefit from the extension of these services. Section 2. send copies of Cities, The Village Clerk is hereby directed to of this Resolution to the Florida League Inc. Section 3. This Resolution shall immediately upon its passage. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS Councilmember Schauer who moved The motion was seconded by Vdalker and upon being put t vote was as follows: take effect OFFERED by its adoption. Councilmember :o a vote, the • • • MAYOR OF TEQUESTA /~ ~~cc. ~~ ~ i' Carl C. Hansen FOR ADOPTION AGAINST ADOPTION Capretta Dalack Hansen Walker The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed and adopted this 10th day of February, A.D., 2000. ATTEST: oann Mangan' llo Village Clerk Nmh\Word\MyDocuments\Resolutions\Resolution N Florida League of Cities C]