HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 10 12 Consent 301 - Letter of Preliminary Support for Creation of Little Lake Howell (Tuskawilla Lake) Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) • CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 301
,n m=ared CITY COMMISSION AGENDA I OCTOBER 12, 2020 REGULAR MEETING
1959
TITLE
Letter of Preliminary Support for Creation of Little Lake Howell (Tuskawilla
Lake) Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU)
SUMMARY
There are 48 parcels that are located on the waterfront of Little Lake Howell
(Tuskawilla Lake). These parcels are homes to 48 families, 40 of which are in
unincorporated Seminole County and 8 are within the City's taxing
jurisdiction. For a number of years, the waterfront homeowners have been
taking care of the lake on a private basis.
In 2019, there was interest in establishing a Municipal Service Benefit Unit
(MSBU). In July 2019, the waterfront homeowners gained enough support
(35%) to qualify for the MSBU application phase. Once approved, the
application will move to a formal petition which will require 65% agreement
by the waterfront homeowners for the establishment of the MSBU. The
homeowners have met and discussed what services are required to promote
and maintain the health of the lake which would include hydrilla
maintenance, aquatic weed control, and possibly, nutrient abatement.
The County is seeking the City's support for the creation of the MSBU and
requests the City submit a letter of preliminary interest and support for the
MSBU. The City will be required to enter into an interlocal agreement with the
County and establish an ordinance contingent upon 65% support from the
waterfront homeowners in the formal petition process for the creation of the
MSBU which will give the County permission to add the non ad-valorem
assessment onto the tax bill of the City's 8 residents located on the lakefront.
The County will manage the assessments and the lake maintenance program
for the benefit of the 48 lakefront homeowners. The interlocal agreement and
ordinance will be brought back to the Commission in a future meeting. There
will be no fiscal impact to the City.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Commission approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the Letter of Preliminary Support for the creation of the Little Lake
Howell (Tuskawilla Lake) MSBU, to authorize the Deputy Mayor to sign the
Letter of Preliminary Support if the Mayor is unavailable, and to authorize the
City Manager and City Attorney to prepare and execute all applicable
documents.
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OAC SA
�Z CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
G1 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434
tneorp 195 WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 32708-2799
I F TELEPHONE: (407)327-1800
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WE'CRJ9
CHARLESLACEY
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
October 12, 2020
Chairman Jay Zembower
Board of County Commissioners
1101 East 1"Street
Sanford,FL 32771
Re: Preliminary Interest& Support for Lake Management Services—Little Lake Howell [aka Tuskawilla
Lake)
Dear Chairman Zembower:
On behalf of the City of Winter Springs, I am communicating preliminary interest and support in regards to
the MSBU application submitted by property owners seeking environmental improvements respective to
Little lake Howell, which is represented by properties within the taxing jurisdiction of the City of Winter
Springs and unincorporated Seminole County.
As the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners has programs and processes established for
coordinating the creation of an MSBU and to provide the requested public services,the City is in support of
the County providing the application processing activities according to the steps developed by the County
for establishing such non-ad valorem assessment districts. We understand these activities will include the
County coordinating a petition process, inclusive of both taxing districts, to determine the level of property
owner support for the proposed MSBU.
Providing the.County's petition process demonstrates sufficient lake-wide support [65%] from the specially
benefited waterfront properties, it is the intention of the City Commission to consider, in short order, an
Interlocal Agreement and Ordinance that would allow the MSBU to extend into and assess certain properties
within the City taxing jurisdiction in the event the MSBU Ordinance is to be enacted by the Board of County
Commissioners.
The City of Winter Springs looks forward to continuing to work with Seminole County to meet the needs of
the Little Lake Howell waterfront community.
Sincerely,
Charles Lacey
Mayor
Cc: Winter Springs City Commission
Shawn Boyle,City Manager
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