COPART WEST SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · ordinance

Ordinance creating the Copart West Street Lighting Special Taxing District in Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the installation of streetlights in public rights-of-way. The district is generally bounded on the north by SW 236 Street, on the east by SW 134 Avenue, on the south by C-102 Canal, and on the west by C-102 Canal. The property is a portion of Section 23, Township 56 South, Range 39 East, containing 1,118,496 square feet (25.6771 acres), also known as Copart West, Tentative Plat #T-24368. The sole property owner and developer is Copart of Connecticut, Inc. The district will install, operate, and maintain eighteen (18) 12,000 Lumens, 3000K Cobra Head LED streetlights mounted on concrete poles. The ordinance was adopted on first reading on 7/21/2026 and set for a public hearing on 9/1/2026. The estimated total district costs are $82,815.28 for the first year and $18,647.70 for the second year. The estimated cost per assessable front foot for the second year is $4.8380. The petition was signed by 100% of the property owners. The estimated completion is Fall 2028 and estimated initial billing is November 2029. The district lies partly within the boundaries of the Princeton Community Urban Center District. The ordinance waives provisions of Resolution No. R-130-06. The street lighting agreement is with Florida Power and Light. The district will be managed by the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. The district is located entirely within Commission District 8. The number of parcels is 1, with the tentative plat proposing two tracts, Tracts A and B. The number of owners is 1. The number of owners with homestead exemption signing petition is none. The method of apportionment is front footage. The estimated annual district assessments for the second year are $13,297.22 for Tract A and $5,350.48 for Tract B. The creation of the special taxing district is a subdivision requirement pursuant to Chapter 28 of the Code. The ordinance will become effective 10 days after the date of enactment, unless vetoed by the Mayor. The public hearing notification will be published in a newspaper of general circulation and mailed to all owners of taxable real property within the boundaries. No preliminary public meeting was necessary. No referendum was required as 100% of the property owners signed the petition. The preliminary assessment roll was submitted as a separate agenda item. The facilities provided will remain the property of FPL. FPL will be responsible for maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and replacement of light fixtures, lamps, poles, and connecting service lines. The Division will administer FPL's agreement, installation, and billing process. The developer is required to fund the first year's lease of equipment and electricity costs and all incidental costs incurred by the County. After the first year, there will be a perpetual annual special assessment for the cost of street lighting to all property owners within the district. The creation of the district was requested by 100% of the property owners. The ordinance provides for exclusion from the Code. The ordinance identifies services to be provided as street lighting services within public rights-of-way. The ordinance authorizes and directs the County Mayor or designee to provide for the installation of streetlights. The ordinance approves a street lighting agreement with Florida Power and Light. The ordinance authorizes the County Mayor or designee to execute the agreement. The ordinance directs the County Mayor or designee to cause the installation of streetlights. The ordinance directs the County Mayor or designee to cause to be prepared and filed with the Clerk one Preliminary Assessment Roll. The ordinance states that the entire cost of the district's improvements and/or services shall be specially assessed. The ordinance declares that said services will be a special benefit to all properties within the district. The ordinance states that the total amount of special assessments to be levied will not be in excess of such special benefit. The ordinance states that the provisions of Resolution No. R-130-06 are waived because adoption of this Ordinance is a precursor to the future execution of the agreement, which will not occur until development within the district occurs. The ordinance states that a duly certified copy of this Ordinance shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County, Florida, and recorded in the appropriate book of records. The ordinance states that it is the intention of this Board that the provisions of this Ordinance shall be excluded from the Code. The ordinance states that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become effective 10 days after the date of enactment, unless vetoed by the Mayor, and if vetoed, shall become effective only upon an override by this Board. The staff recommendation is to approve the petition for the creation of the special taxing district. The fiscal impact is that creation will result in no economic impact to the County's budget, and there will be no increase or decrease in County staffing. The social equity statement states that property owners within the district will pay special assessments appropriately apportioned according to the special benefit they receive, regardless of their demographics. The social equity statement states that the creation of the district will provide for lighting continuity between contiguous Street Lighting Special Taxing Districts on connecting roadways, allow for higher intensity spotlighting at specific locations, and accommodate future County lighting standards. The social equity statement states that pursuant to section 18-20.2(b) of the Code, it shall be the obligation of a seller of new residential property to provide the purchaser thereof with notice either of the existence of a special taxing district or of a pending petition to create such a district. The track record/monitor states that the district will be managed by the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and overseen by the Chief of the Special Assessment Districts Division, Liset Romero-Lopez. The delegation of authority authorizes the County Mayor or designee to execute lighting agreements, as required by FPL, following approval by the County Attorney's Office as to legal sufficiency. The background states that a petition to create the district, duly signed by 100% of the owners of property within the proposed district, was filed with the Clerk of the Board. The background states that PROS compiled and filed with the Clerk a memorandum and accompanying written report and recommendations. The background states that the Report sets forth the boundaries of the district, an estimate of the cost of the improvements and/or services to be provided, the need for and desirability of the district, the ability of the affected properties to bear the special assessments, certifies that the improvements and/or services to be provided conform to the master plan of the County, and recommends that the district be created to provide a special benefit to all property within the proposed district. The background states that contingent upon Board approval, the street lighting services will be accomplished pursuant to an agreement between the County and FPL. The background states that this Special Taxing District lies partly within the boundaries of, and is compliant with, the regulations of the Princeton Community Urban Center District. The background states that the petition was submitted by Copart of Connecticut, Inc., the sole property owner and developer. The background states that the type of improvements is expected to be eighteen (18) 12,000 Lumens, 3000K Cobra Head LED streetlights mounted on concrete poles. The background states that at the discretion of the PROS Director, PROS reserves the right to adjust the quantity, style, and luminosity of the street lighting installations. The background states that the public hearing notification will be certified by the Clerk. The background states that as pursuant to section 18-3(d) of the Code, a public notice will be duly published in a newspaper of general circulation and copies will be mailed to all owners of taxable real property within the boundaries. The background states that no preliminary public meeting is necessary. The background states that the creation of the district will be subject only to the Board's approval; no election will be necessary as 100% of the property owners signed the petition. The background states that the preliminary assessment roll is submitted on the same agenda as a separate agenda item. The background states that the estimated completion is Fall 2028. The background states that the estimated initial billing is November 2029. The background states that the assessment is billed annually as an itemized portion of the Real Property tax bill. The background states that state or federal grants are not applicable to this district. The background states that each Street Lighting Special Taxing District is unique due to its geographical boundaries, affected property owners, and level of service to be provided. The background states that creation of a new Special Taxing District to provide this service is the best and most cost-effective method to achieve this benefit. The background states that in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 28 of the Code to provide street lighting in new subdivisions through the creation of Street Lighting Special Taxing Districts, and in compliance with the provisions of section 18-3(c) of the Code, the Deputy Mayor reviewed the facts submitted by PROS in its Report and concurs with their recommendation that this Special Taxing District be created pursuant to section 18-2 of the Code. The background states that the Deputy Mayor recommends the provisions of Resolution No. R-130-06 be waived because adoption of this Ordinance is a precursor to the future execution of said agreement, which will not occur until development within the Special Taxing District occurs. The legislative history shows the Board of County Commissioners adopted the ordinance on first reading on 7/21/2026 and set it for a public hearing on 9/1/2026. The ordinance was introduced on 6/15/2026. The requester is Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. The agenda date is 9/1/2026 and agenda item number is 5. The file number is 261098. The file type is Ordinance. The status is In Committee. The version is 0. The control is Pending BCC Assignment. The file name is COPART WEST SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT. The title of the ordinance is as stated. The sponsors are none. The sunset provision is no. The registered lobbyist is none listed. The legislative history shows the action on 7/21/2026 was adopted on first reading with a pass/fail of P. The report on 7/21/2026 states CA Bonzon-Keenan read the title of the foregoing proposed ordinance into the record. The report on 7/21/2026 states the foregoing proposed ordinance was adopted on first reading and set for a public hearing before the Board on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The legislative history shows on 7/21/2026 the item was tentatively scheduled for a public hearing. The legislative history shows on 9/1/2026 the item is scheduled for the Board of County Commissioners. The legislative history shows on 6/15/2026 ROY COLEY assigned the item to the Office of Agenda Coordination. The legislative history shows on 6/15/2026 the Office of Agenda Coordination assigned the item to the County Attorney. The report from the Office of Agenda Coordination on 6/15/2026 states PROS - No sponsor - First reading - P.H @ September 1st BCC - County attorney Ryan Carlin - attachments: attachment A, attachments 1-4 - pgs 34. The legislative history shows on 6/15/2026 the County Attorney assigned the item to Ryan Carlin. The legislative history shows the item was assigned on 6/15/2026 and the due date was 6/23/2026. The ordinance states the boundaries are generally bounded on the North by SW 236 Street, on the East by SW 134 Avenue, on the South by C-102 Canal, and on the West by C-102 Canal. The ordinance states the area is a portion of Section 23, Township 56 South, Range 39 East, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The ordinance states the area contains 1,118,496 square feet (25.6771 acres) more or less, (a.k.a. Copart West, Tentative Plat #T-24368). The ordinance states the improvements and/or services to be provided will consist of street lighting services within public rights-of-way. The ordinance states the installation of such street lighting will be accomplished pursuant to an agreement between Miami-Dade County and Florida Power and Light. The ordinance states the expected costs of the installation and operation of the Special Taxing District's services, including maintenance, electricity, engineering, administration, billing, collection and processing, for the first year are provided by petitioners and estimated to be $82,815.28. The ordinance states the expected costs of the Special Taxing District's services for the second year are estimated to be $18,647.70. The ordinance states the expected estimated cost per assessable front foot of real property within the Special Taxing District for the second year is $4.8380. The ordinance states the succeeding years' assessments will be adjusted based on actual costs. The ordinance states the entire cost of the Special Taxing District's improvements and/or services shall be specially assessed. The ordinance states it is hereby declared that said services will be a special benefit to all properties within the Special Taxing District and the total amount of special assessments to be levied as aforesaid will not be in excess of such special benefit. The ordinance states the proposed street lighting agreement between Miami-Dade County and Florida Power and Light is hereby approved and made a part hereof by reference. The ordinance states the provisions of Resolution No. R-130-06 are hereby waived because adoption of this Ordinance is a precursor to the future execution of said agreement, which will not occur until development within the Special Taxing District occurs. The ordinance states the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee is hereby authorized and directed to execute at the appropriate time the incorporated street lighting agreement, in substantially the form attached to the accompanying memorandum, for and on behalf of Miami-Dade County. The ordinance states the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee is authorized and directed to cause the installation of said streetlights to be accomplished within the Special Taxing District in accordance with the provisions of said agreement and the terms of this Ordinance. The ordinance states the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee is further directed to cause to be prepared and filed with the Clerk one Preliminary Assessment Roll for the street lighting services, in accordance with the provisions of sections 18-14 and 18-22.1 of the Code. The ordinance states as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes, all special assessments levied and imposed under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be collected, subject to the provisions of chapter 197, Florida Statutes, in the same manner and at the same time as ad valorem taxes. The ordinance states unless paid when due, such assessments shall be deemed delinquent and payment thereof may be enforced by means of the procedures provided by the provisions of chapter 197, Florida Statutes, and section 18 14 of the Code, including possible loss of title. The ordinance states a duly certified copy of this Ordinance shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County, Florida, and recorded in the appropriate book of records. The ordinance states it is the intention of this Board and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this Ordinance shall be excluded from the Code. The ordinance states the provisions of this Ordinance shall become effective 10 days after the date of enactment, unless vetoed by the Mayor, and if vetoed, shall become effective only upon an override by this Board. The header of the ordinance is dated and addressed to Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez and Members, Board of County Commissioners, from Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, with the subject Ordinance Creating the Copart West Street Lighting Special Taxing District. The staff recommendation states the purpose of this item is to gain authorization from the Board of County Commissioners to create a special taxing district in unincorporated Miami-Dade County for the installation of streetlights in the public Rights-of-Way. The staff recommendation states it is recommended that the Board approve a petition submitted in accordance with Article I, Chapter 18, of the Code of Miami-Dade County for the creation of the Copart West Street Lighting Special Taxing District. The staff recommendation states the creation of this Special Taxing District is a subdivision requirement pursuant to Chapter 28 of the Code. The scope states this proposed Special Taxing District lies within Commission District 8, which is represented by County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, and will provide street lighting services. The fiscal impact/funding source states creation of this Special Taxing District will result in no economic impact to the County's budget, and there will be no increase or decrease in County staffing. The fiscal impact/funding source states the developer, pursuant to Chapter 18 of the Code, is required to fund the Special Taxing District's first year's lease of the equipment and electricity costs to operate the street lighting system and all incidental costs incurred by the County for the creation and administration of the Special Taxing District. The fiscal impact/funding source states after the first year, there will be a perpetual annual special assessment for the cost of street lighting to all property owners within the Special Taxing District. The fiscal impact/funding source states Florida Power and Light (FPL) is the owner of the system and will derive revenues from the creation of the Special Taxing District. The fiscal impact/funding source states FPL's contractors and subcontractors may increase their staffing levels to provide the service requirements created by this Special Taxing District. The social equity statement states the proposed Ordinance creates the Special Taxing District, pursuant to Article 1, section 1.01(A)(11) of the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter and Chapter 18 of the Code. The social equity statement states if approved, property owners within the proposed Special Taxing District will pay special assessments appropriately apportioned according to the special benefit they receive from the Special Taxing District's service, regardless of their demographics, and that the total estimated amount of the special assessment to be levied would not be in excess of such special benefit. The social equity statement states the creation of this Special Taxing District, which was requested by 100% of the property owners, will provide for lighting continuity between contiguous Street Lighting Special Taxing Districts on connecting roadways, allow for higher intensity spotlighting at specific locations, and accommodate future County lighting standards. The social equity statement states pursuant to section 18-20.2(b) of the Code regarding notice to purchasers of new residential property, it shall be the obligation of a seller of new residential property to provide the purchaser thereof with notice either of the existence of a special taxing district created pursuant to this Chapter of the Code or of a pending petition to create such a special taxing district. The track record/monitor states the Special Taxing District will be managed by the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS) and overseen by the Chief of the Special Assessment Districts Division (Division), Liset Romero-Lopez. The delegation of authority states this item authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee to execute lighting agreements, as required by FPL to provide street lighting, following approval by the County Attorney's Office as to legal sufficiency. The background states in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18 of the Code, a petition to create the Special Taxing District, duly signed by 100% of the owners of property within the proposed Special Taxing District, was filed with the Clerk of the Board. The background states a copy of the petition was sent to the County Mayor and the County Attorney to examine and to file a written report with the Clerk certifying that such petition was sufficient in form and substance and signed and properly presented in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 18 of the Code. The background states PROS compiled and filed with the Clerk a memorandum and accompanying written report and recommendations (Report), a copy of which is attached to this memorandum as Attachment A. The background states the Report sets forth the boundaries of the Special Taxing District, an estimate of the cost of the improvements and/or services to be provided, the need for and desirability of the Special Taxing District, the ability of the affected properties to bear the special assessments, certifies that the improvements and/or services to be provided conform to the master plan of the County, and recommends that the Special Taxing District be created to provide a special benefit to all property within the proposed Special Taxing District. The background states contingent upon Board approval of the creation of this Special Taxing District, the street lighting services will be accomplished pursuant to an agreement between the County and FPL. The background states the facilities provided will remain the property of FPL. The background states FPL will be responsible for the maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and replacement of the light fixtures, lamps, poles, and all connecting service lines. The background states the Division will administer FPL's agreement, installation, and billing process. The background states this Special Taxing District lies partly within the boundaries of, and is compliant with, the regulations of the Princeton Community Urban Center District. The background states the boundaries are on the North, SW 236 Street; on the East, SW 134 Avenue; on the South, C-102 Canal; on the West, C-102 Canal. The background states the number of parcels is 1 (Tentative plat proposes two tracts, Tracts A and B). The background states the number of owners is 1. The background states the number of owners with homestead exemption signing petition is none. The background states the petition was submitted by Copart of Connecticut, Inc., the sole property owner and developer. The background states the type of improvements is expected to be eighteen (18) 12,000 Lumens, 3000K Cobra Head LED streetlights mounted on concrete poles. The background states at the discretion of the PROS Director, PROS reserves the right to adjust the quantity, style, and luminosity of the street lighting installations, for reasons including, but not limited to, changes in field conditions, to address safety concerns, to provide for lighting continuity between contiguous Street Lighting Special Taxing Districts on connecting roadways, to allow higher intensity spotlighting at specific locations, and to accommodate future County lighting standards. The background states the public hearing notification will be certified by the Clerk. The background states as pursuant to section 18-3(d) of the Code, a public notice will be duly published in a newspaper of general circulation published in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and copies thereof will be mailed to all owners of taxable real property within the boundaries of the proposed Special Taxing District as their names and addresses appear on the latest Miami-Dade County Real Property Tax Roll. The background states no preliminary public meeting is necessary. The background states the creation of the Special Taxing District will be subject only to the Board's approval; no election will be necessary as 100% of the property owners signed the petition. The background states the preliminary assessment roll is submitted on the same agenda as a separate agenda item for consideration and adoption by the Board and contingent upon the approval of this Special Taxing District's creating Ordinance. The background states the implementation of the assessment roll will be in accordance with the procedures defined in Chapter 18 of the Code. The background states the estimated completion is Fall 2028. The background states the estimated initial billing is November 2029. The background states the assessment is billed annually as an itemized portion of the Real Property tax bill. The background states the estimated total district costs for the first year are $82,815.28 and for the second year are $18,647.70. The background states the method of apportionment is front footage. The background states the estimated annual district assessments per assessable front foot for the second year are $4.8380. The background states the estimated annual district assessments for Tract A for the second year are $13,297.22 and for Tract B are $5,350.48. The background states the above annual costs and assessment information are based on the expected lighting services to be provided by the Special Taxing District and are subject to change in the event that the Special Taxing District's services are adjusted by the PROS Director as provided herein. The background states each subsequent year will be calculated based on actual costs. The background states state or federal grants are not applicable to this Special Taxing District. The background states each Street Lighting Special Taxing District is unique due to its geographical boundaries, affected property owners, and level of service to be provided. The background states creation of a new Special Taxing District to provide this service is the best and most cost-effective method to achieve this benefit. The background states in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 28 of the Code to provide street lighting in new subdivisions through the creation of Street Lighting Special Taxing Districts, and in compliance with the provisions of section 18-3(c) of the Code, the Deputy Mayor reviewed the facts submitted by PROS in its Report, a copy of which is attached and incorporated herein. The background states the Deputy Mayor concurs with their recommendation that this Special Taxing District be created pursuant to section 18-2 of the Code. The background states the Deputy Mayor recommends the provisions of Resolution No. R-130-06 be waived because adoption of this Ordinance is a precursor to the future execution of said agreement, which will not occur until development within the Special Taxing District occurs. The attachment is signed by Roy Coley, Deputy Mayor.