City Commission Workshop Meeting

OVERVIEW OF ANNEXATION TREASURE COAST REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL MAY 2023  Types of Annexation • Voluntary • Majority Voluntary • Referendum • Legislative • Enclave Interlocal  Voluntary Annexation • Property owner asks to become part of Pahokee • Contiguous (substantially touching boundary) • Compact • No limit on size or frequency • Check for Unincorporated Protection Area  Majority Voluntary Annexation • No registered voters • Owners of > 50% of the land area and >50% of the number of parcels want to annex • The rest of the area comes along too (i.e. the majority owners have the say-so) • Still have to be contiguous and compact and address UPA issues  Referendum Annexation • Registered voters voting like an election • Majority rules • Don’t know the outcome until election is held – no refund on the cost if it fails • Still have to be contiguous and compact and address UPA issues  Legislative Annexation • Special Bill passed by the Florida Legislature • Must be supported by the Local Delegation • Opposition typically means “no-go” • Rare  Enclave Interlocal Annexation • An area bounded on all sides by the municipality and/or a natural feature that prevents access • Less than 110 acres • Interlocal Agreement between City and County • Pahokee doesn’t appear to have any enclaves?  Annexation and Enclaves Annexation: The process whereby property that lies outside of the boundary of a municipality is brought within municipal limits. Enclave: Unincorporated land surrounded by a municipality or a barrier such as a canal that prevents access to the area except through the municipalityTypical Impact (depicted Fee Categories: in yellow). • Roads (or Transportation) • Libraries • Schools • Parks & Recreational Facilities • Emergency Service Facilities • Law Enforcement Facilities • Solid Waste Facilities • Public Buildings & Facilities  Unincorporated Protection Area • Established by Palm Beach County by Ordinance • Unincorporated area outside of the Urban Service Area • Voluntary Annexation requires consent by Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (supermajority of 5 yes votes) • Green area on the map  Concerns with Annexation Pattern • Inefficient Service Delivery for City and County • Difficult to Plan for Orderly Development • Jurisdictional Confusion • Roadway Ownership and Maintenance • Unfair Benefits Without Tax Payments  Challenges with Annexation • Unmotivated Owners • What are the Benefits? To the City? To the Land Owner? • Developed Property • Infrastructure Deficiencies • Lack of Political Will  Fiscal Impacts • Change in Ad Valorem Taxes • Pahokee City Tax 6.54 added onto Property Tax Bill • Net change of + 6.54 mils • Change in Non-Ad Valorem Taxes • No Change • Change in Utility Rates • No Change • Change in Franchise Fees (electric, telephone) • Unknown, typically not significant • Advertising and Recording Fees (ANX, CPA, ZC?)  What are the Benefits to the Owner ? • Faster Building Permits • Parks and Recreation Fee Reduction (Resident Rate) • Street Lights (depending on circumstances) • Focused PBSO Law Enforcement (Contract) • Code Enforcement (Local, Engaged, Nearby) • Enhanced Development Rights (case by case) • Span of Representation (1 per 1,116 vs. 1 per 216,879 at PBC) • Consider the benefits to the Residents distinct from the Owner  Who are the Involved Parties ? • Pahokee City Council • Pahokee City Staff • County Planning Division (and sometimes Commission) • Residents • Property Owner • Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department • Pahokee Housing Authority (who else has to approve for them? HUD? State?) FOR MORE INFORMATION: THOMAS J. LANAHAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TREASURE COAST REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (TCRPC) (772) 221-4060 TLANAHAN@TCRPC.ORG