Resolution 2021-046 RESOLUTION NO. 2021 - 4 6
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN OPPOSITION TO PASSAGE AND
ENACTMENT OF SENATE BILL 406 AND HOUSE BILL 209,RELATING
TO THE EXPANSION OF THE BIG CYPRESS BASIN, UNLESS AND
UNTIL AMENDMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY ARE INCORPORATED.
WHEREAS,the General Appropriations Act passed by the State Legislature on March 19,
2020, contained language calling for the completion of a study updating the scientific boundary of
the Big Cypress Basin; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 2020-51, directing
the State Health Officer to declare a public health emergency in the State of Florida due to COVID-
19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 2020-52, declaring
a state of emergency, which remains in effect, and has been the primary focus of governmental
resources for nearly a year; and
WHEREAS, subsequent Executive Orders to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our
citizens have included a statewide"Safer At Home" order,public health advisories warning of the
dangers of gathering in groups of 10 or more, the closing of schools, asking people to work from
home if feasible, and providing for the use of technology for virtual meetings of municipal
governing bodies; and
WHEREAS, the study on the scientific boundary of the Big Cypress Basin was first
publicly presented to the Big Cypress Basin Board on November 18, 2020, at that time comprised
of sole member and Chair, Charlette Roman; and
WHEREAS, the first bill filed at the Florida Legislature seeking to use the scientific
boundary to significantly expand the administrative boundary for the Basin was filed on December
30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on February 9, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously
adopted a formal position opposing the language of Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 209, and
dispatched a letter to the sponsors of the bills and to the Collier County Legislative Delegation
stating that this opposition would continue until technical deficiencies in the bill are addressed,
issues of policy and practical application of the initiative are better defined and discussed, and the
public is informed and educated on how this will impact water quantity and quality management
in both Lee and Collier counties; and
WHEREAS, had the boundary study and proposed legislation been available earlier in
2020, public outreach and education on any boundary expansion proposal would have been
logistically impractical and at the risk of the health and safety of our citizens due to the pandemic
and its impact on public gatherings and government proceedings; and
t
WHEREAS, should the Legislature pass and the Governor sign a bill expanding the Basin
boundary,the proposed July 1, 2021, effective date could potentially be less than 60 days from the
conclusion of the legislative session placing a great administrative burden on Basin administration,
county and municipal staff in the expanded boundary, and unintentionally continue to limit the
input and education of the public; and
WHEREAS, recommended amendments by the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County include addressing governance of the Basin Board, clarifying the collection and
use of ad valorem taxes levied in the respective counties, and providing a delayed effective date to
allow for public education and input during any subsequent administrative and rulemaking process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, to oppose passage and enactment
of Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 209, relating to the expansion the Big Cypress Basin, unless and
until the amendments attached hereto as Exhibit A and recommended by the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County are incorporated.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the 23rd
day of February, 2021.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CRYSTAL K. KIN, L, CLERK COLLIE CO TY, FLORIDA
0.61...4evtoitC(r--• By:
;Aces as to Chai i.i `y Clerk Penny lor, Chair
;;,:r^tune oriy. , •,tk
r
Approve b ' fa ;nd legality:
Jeffrey A. latzk , County Attorney
2
Exhibit A: Amendments for CS for SB 406
Governance section change amendment rationale:
Ensuring that Collier County has a majority on the Basin Board, regardless of the Basin Chair (which is
provided in statute and not included in the bill. Basin Chair appointment language applies to all
districts/basins and is to be a WMD Board member residing in the specific basin or, if no member resides
in the basin, any member designated by the WMD Governing Board Chair. Currently, Chauncey Goss from
Lee County is the SFWMD Chair and Charlette Roman from Collier County is the Big Cypress Basin Board
Chair. Her at-large WMD seat expires in March 2021.):
Language:
Starting on line 30, by striking lines 30 through 35, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
The Governor shall appoint four persons from Collier County and one person from Lee County
who reside within the Big Cypress Basin to serve as members of the governing board of the basin,
subject to confirmation by the Senate as provided in subsection (4).
Ad valorem section cleanup:
The ad valorem tax language provided below provides clarity and is consistent with current BCB practice.
Language:
Starting on line 75, by striking lines 75 through 78, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
The basin ad valorem taxes levied within the counties that comprise the Big Cypress Basin shall
be utilized as specified in s. 373.0695, Florida Statutes, within the counties in which they were
collected, including for regional and local projects improving flood protection, water quality, or
natural systems.
Delayed effective date:
Delayed effective date to provide for rulemaking, public input, and administrative changes necessary to
effectively implement the Basin administrative expansion:
Language:
On line 117, after the word "effect," by striking the remainder of the sentence and inserting in
lieu thereof:
July 1, 2022.
3