TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Providing for the Imposition and Collection of Non-Ad Valorem Special Assessments to Fund Costs Incurred by the City in Abating Nuisance Conditions of Excessive Growth of Grass and Nuisance Weeds on Developed Lots, and Hazardous Trees and Accumulation of Debris on Any Lot; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Chapter 42 - Nuisances, Article II - Lot Clearing, to Create Section 42-27; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-01 as presented and move to second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting on February 24, 2026.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-01 as presented.
* Pros: Would allow more efficient and effective recovery of the actual cost of abatement and administrative expenses incurred by the City, with increased revenue to the General Fund.
* Cons: The City would need to complete required annual steps to approve the Special Assessment roll and notify the Sarasota County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance No. 2026-01.
* Pros: The City would not need to complete required annual steps to approve the Special Assessment roll or provide notification to the Sarasota County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector.
* Cons: Most Code Enforcement liens would continue to accrue without timely recovery of actual costs incurred by the City, placing a burden on the General Fund.
Background Information
During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on January 14, 2025, the City Commission discussed risks to the public associated with hazardous trees; the current removal process and limited abatement funding; and potential funding methods; including a program...
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