Government Digest: July 23 - July 29

Federal flood insurance reform passes House

WASHINGTON D.C. — The “Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010” passed the House July 15 and now goes to the Senate. (See the Business Review July 9 “Flood of Risk.”) The legislation calls for actuarially-appropriate flood insurance premiums, updated maximum insurance limits and revised flood zone maps. Passed by the House 309-90, the bipartisan bill also extends the National Flood Insurance Program for five years. The program would go into another hiatus period after Sept. 30 without federal action to extend it. As of March 31, Florida property owners held 38% of the nation's 5.6 million federal flood insurance policies. Though none were co-sponsors, 24 of the 25 members of Florida's congressional delegation voted for the bill. U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, did not vote.

County tax rate remains flat, city chooses to raise

SARASOTA COUNTY — County commissioners have certified the final property tax millage rate of $3.33 for every $1,000 in taxable value for fiscal year 2011, keeping the rate the same as for fiscal year 2010. The rate includes $3.10 for the operating budget plus rates for debt and mosquito control. The rate adopted by commissioners is the not-to-exceed rate that will be used for the Truth-in-Millage notice sent by the tax collector to property owners in August. In September, commissioners will hold two public workshops to adopt the 2011 budget along with the final millage rate. The city of Sarasota proposes to increase its property tax rate from 2.7771 to 2.9115 mills.

Energy economic zone plan approved, goes to state

SARASOTA COUNTY — County commissioners approved transmitting to the state a comprehensive plan amendment to create policies for an energy economic zone. (See the Business Review April 23, 2010, “Sparks fly over energy zone.”) The change, approved July 13, would create a special planning area along State Road 681 west of Interstate 75 including Palmer Ranch land owned by Hugh Culverhouse, Jr. The amendment also requires a critical area plan to guide future development, and is intended to meet state requirements that local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the comprehensive plan. Sarasota County was designated by the Legislature in 2009 as one of two pilot communities to implement energy economic zone policies.

MEETINGS

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Joint Land Use/Transportation Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Friday, July 30, at the Pinellas County public works building, conference room 111, 440 Court St., Clearwater. For more information, call (727) 464-3829.

MANATEE COUNTY

The Manatee County Port Authority will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 27, in the board of county commissioners chambers on the first floor of the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The County Commission will hold a public hearing to determine if a referendum should be held Aug. 24 creating ad valorem tax exemptions for new for-profit businesses, and a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to amend impact fees at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, at the Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, room #119, Port Charlotte, For more information, contact Marie Pecorella or Jo Ann VonderMuehll at (941) 743-1944.

The Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority board of directors meets at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, at the Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, room #119, Port Charlotte. For more information, contact Diane Gant or JoAnn Dillon at (941) 743-1300.

The Charlotte Harbor Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee has a special meeting a 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, to discuss a small scale comprehensive plan amendment and NBR Zoning Code, at the Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, room #119, Port Charlotte. For more information, contact Kathy Knee at (941) 627-3023.

COLLIER COUNTY

The public is invited to attend the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Transportation Needs Plan Workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Center, 5260 28th Ave. S.W., Naples. The Metropolitan Planning Organization is in the process of conducting a review and update of the Long Range Transportation Plan.

CANDIDATE FORUMS

The Tiger Bay Club of Tampa will hold a Hillsborough County Commission candidates' forum, at noon Friday, July 30, at Maestro's at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. For more information, go to www.tigerbayclub.com.

The South County Tiger Bay Club will host a “Sarasota County School Board Candidate Forum,” at 11:45 a.m. Friday, July 30, at Venetian Golf and River Club, 502 Veneto Blvd., Venice. For more information, see www.sctigerbay.com.

The Manatee Tiger Bay Club will host a candidates' forum at noon Thursday, Aug. 5, at Mattison's Riverside, 1200 First Ave., Bradenton. Candidates for county commission, school board and Florida House District 67 are invited. For more information, see www.manateetigerbay.com.

The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club will hold a forum for gubernatorial candidates at noon Thursday, Aug. 5 at Michael's On East, 1212 East Ave. (Midtown Plaza) Sarasota. For more information, email [email protected] or call (941) 925-2970.