Florida Statutes 189.03 – Statement of legislative purpose and intent; independent special districts
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(1) The Legislature finds that:
(a) There is a need for uniform, focused, and fair procedures in state law to provide a reasonable alternative for the establishment, powers, operation, and duration of independent special districts.
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 189.03
- Independent special district: means a special district that is not a dependent special district as defined in subsection (2). See Florida Statutes 189.012
- Special district: means a unit of local government created for a special purpose, as opposed to a general purpose, which has jurisdiction to operate within a limited geographic boundary and is created by general law, special act, local ordinance, or by rule of the Governor and Cabinet. See Florida Statutes 189.012
(b) It is in the public interest that any independent special district created pursuant to state law not outlive its usefulness and that the operation of such a district and the exercise by the district of its powers be consistent with applicable due process, disclosure, accountability, ethics, and government-in-the-sunshine requirements which apply both to governmental entities and to their elected and appointed officials.
(2) It is the policy of this state:
(a) That independent special districts may be used by the private and public sectors, as authorized by state law, to manage, own, operate, construct, and finance basic capital infrastructure, facilities, and services.
(b) That the exercise by any independent special district of its powers complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
(3) It is the legislative intent to authorize a uniform procedure by general law to create an independent special district and to provide by general law for the uniform operation, exercise of power, and procedure for termination of any such independent special district.
(4) The Legislature finds and declares that:
(a) Growth and development issues transcend the boundaries and responsibilities of individual units of government, and often no single unit of government can plan or implement policies to deal with these issues without affecting other units of government.
(b) The provision of capital infrastructure, facilities, and services for the preservation and enhancement of the quality of life of the people of this state may require the creation of multicounty and multijurisdictional districts.