TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Calling for a Referendum Question to Be Placed before the Qualified Electors of the City of North Port, Florida at The November 3, 2020 General Election; Providing a Referendum Question Determining Whether to Grant the City Commission the Authority to Allow Economic Development Ad Valorem (Property) Tax Exemptions for New Businesses and Expansions to Existing Businesses; Providing Findings; Providing for the Conduct of the Referendum Election; Providing for the Form of Ballot; Providing for Notice of Election; Providing for the Supervisor of Elections to Post a Copy of this Ordinance at Each Polling Place; Providing for an Effective Date If the Referendum Question Is Approved; Providing for the Filing of the Ordinance with the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date
Recommended Action
Continue Ordinance No. 2020-25 to second reading on July 2, 2020
Recommended Action for Second Reading
Adopt Ordinance No. 2020-25
Background Information
In August 2010, North Port voters approved a referendum to grant the City Commission the authority to allow economic development ad valorem tax exemptions. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 196.1995(7), that authority expires in August 2020, ten years after the date it was approved.
On February 6, 2020, the City Commission voted unanimously to call a referendum to grant the Commission the authority to continue allowing economic development ad valorem tax exemptions.
Florida Statutes Section 196.1995 governs the authority to grant economic development ad valorem tax exemptions, as well as the language of the ballot question for the referendum.
Background Information from First Reading
On June 23, 2020, the City Commission heard this ordinance for first reading and continued it to July 2, 2020 for second reading.
Strategic Plan
Economic Development & Job Creation
Financial Impact
None. If passed, this referendum question would grant the Commission the authority to grant economic development ad valorem tax exemptions. The grant of any economic development tax exemption would be made by means of a separate ordinance.
Procurement
n/a
Attachments:
1. Ord 2020-25. First Reading. Economic Dev Tax Referendum
2. F.S. 196.1995
3. Ord 2020-25. Second Reading. Economic Dev Tax Referendum
Prepared by: Amber L. Slayton, City Attorney
Department Director: Amber L. Slayton, City Attorney