PUBLISHED BY MAY 17, 2018

NOTICE OF HEARING TO IMPOSE AND PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IN THE BURNT STORE ISLES UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSESSMENT AREA TO FUND THE PROCUREMENT OF A BINDING COST ESTIMATE FROM FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT (FPL) FOR THE CONVERSION OF EXISTING OVERHEAD ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES TO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Punta Gorda, Florida will conduct a public hearing to consider imposing a one-time non-ad valorem special assessment for the procurement of a binding cost estimate from Florida Power & Light (FPL) for the conversion of the electric distribution system from an overhead to an underground system within the boundaries of the Burnt Store Isles Underground Utility Assessment Area for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2018. The hearing will be held 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as made be heard, on June 6, 2018, in the City of Punta Gorda Council Chambers, 326 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950, for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed Burnt Store Isles Underground Utility Assessment Area and the special assessments and their collection on the ad valorem tax bill. All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing and to file written objections with the City Council within 20 days of this notice.

Pursuant to section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if you decide to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at the hearing or at any subsequent meeting to which the City Council has continued its deliberations, you will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Statute 286.26, the location of this public hearing is accessible to persons with disabilities.  If you are a person with disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.  Interpreters for the hearing impaired [TTY (941)575-5013] or non-English speaking citizens and any other special accommodations can be requested by contacting the Human Resources Manager/Non-discrimination Coordinator whose address is 326 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, whose telephone number is (941)575-3308 and whose email address is humres@pgorda.us, at least two (2) calendars days prior to the meeting.

The assessment for each parcel of property will be based on the number of equivalent benefit units assigned to the Tax Parcel. The proposed maximum annual assessment rate is $75.00 per EBU. A more specific description of the project and the method of computing the assessment for each parcel of property are set forth in the Initial Assessment Resolution adopted by the City Council on May 2, 2018. Copies of Chapter 21A of the Punta Gorda Code, the Initial Assessment Resolution (Resolution No. 3350-18 ), the preliminary Assessment Roll for the upcoming fiscal year, and the list of excluded parcels are available for inspection at the office of the City Clerk, located in City Hall, 326 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 or on the City’s website at www.CityofPuntaGordaFL.com/BSUU.

The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill, as authorized by Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which may result in a loss of title. Unless proper steps are initiated in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure relief within 20 days from the date of City Council action at the above hearing (including the method of apportionment, the rate of assessment and the imposition of assessments), such action shall be the final adjudication of the issues presented.

If you have any questions regarding your assessment, please contact the City Finance Department at (941) 575-3318, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.