TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Jason Yarborough, ICMA-CM, Interim City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Chapter 3, Article I. - Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption, to Renew the City's Authority to Grant Exemptions Consistent with the Results of the November 2020 Referendum and to Make Consistent with Florida Law; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
First Reading
Continue Ordinance No. 2021-04 to second reading on January 26, 2021.
Second Reading
Adopt Ordinance No. 2021-04 to second reading on January 26, 2021.
Background Information
First Reading
The Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes Section 196.1995 empower the City Commission to grant economic development ad valorem property tax exemptions for a ten-year period, if authorized by the City's electors at a referendum. In August 2010, the voters so authorized the City Commission, and that authority expired on August 24, 2020. On November 3, 2020, the voters renewed the City Commission's authorization.
City Code Chapter 3, Article I provides the process for applying, considering, and granting ad valorem property tax exemptions. This ordinance updates the code language to reflect the City Commission's renewed authority, revises the code language to comport with F.S. Section 196.1995, and removes unnecessary language.
Second Reading
On January 12, 2021, the City Commission continued this ordinance to second reading, with a change in text to require the City Manager to forward the required annual report to the Commission.
The following changes have been made since first reading:
1. After a review of the definitions for consistency: (i) the word "partnership" has been restored throughout the ordinance for consistency; and (ii) the definition of "improvements" has been ...
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