HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem Q01 Q1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Michelle Lincoln,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
December 10, 2025
Agenda Item Number: Q1
2023-4878
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Sustainability
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Rhonda Haag
9:45
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Discussion and direction on establishing a Financial Hardship Deferral Program for an identified and
created Municipal Services Benefit Unit Capital Infrastructure Project under the proposed Residential
Neighborhood Improvements Program for proposed modifications to Chapter 22 of the Monroe County
Code, Article VII, TIME APPROXIMATE 9:45 A.M.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The County is considering development of a Financial Hardship Deferral Program to provide
financial assistance for those real property owners meeting financial requirements in a specific project
benefit area in the unincorporated county whose real property is subject to special assessments imposed
under the provisions of the proposed Ordinance. This would be part of the proposed Residential
Neighborhood Improvements Program under consideration, which would create assessments to fund
project costs to reimburse the County for all expended funds related to a project and to fund long-term
Operation& Maintenance(O&M) costs. Special assessments against property benefitted by the project
shall be assessed upon the property in proportion to the special benefits to be determined and allocated
according to the methodology to be adopted by the County.
Items included for discussion:
• The financial hardship deferral program would provide financial assistance for those real property
owners in the unincorporated County whose real property is subject to special assessments
imposed under the provisions of the program and:
o Living at or below income levels (to be determined by the County) and
o Whose financial assets meet the requirements (to be determined by the County)
• A resolution shall be developed to set forth guidelines, application criteria, and other procedural
requirements necessary for administration of the program.
• The expenditure of County funds for administration of a financial hardship deferral program is
proposed; provided that such expenditures shall consist solely of, and be entirely contingent upon
the existence of, legally available funds other than special assessments imposed and collected by
the County.
2383
• At the Board's sole discretion, the proposed financial hardship deferral options contemplated by
this section may take the form of:
• Direct payment by the County of the special assessment, or some portion thereof, otherwise
due from the applicant property owner;
• A deferral of such special assessment, or portion thereof, until such time or event as
provided for in the resolution; or
• Any other form deemed appropriate by the Board which provides for the full funding of
any underlying bonds, debt, or obligations of the County.
• In its sole discretion, the Board shall, on an annual basis, determine and designate the funds
available to fulfill the purpose of this section. The provision of financial hardship assistance in
any one year shall in no way establish a right or entitlement to such assistance in any subsequent
year and the provision of funds in any year may be limited to the extent funds are available and
appropriated by the Board of County Commissioners.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
12/09/2020: A public hearing to consider approval of a resolution of Monroe County, Florida electing
to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem special assessments levied within the County
toward the cost of providing capital costs and operations and maintenance costs for roadway
improvements related to sea level rise located within Monroe County.
O1/20/2021: Approval to advertise a public hearing, to consider adoption of a proposed ordinance
amending Chapter 22 of the Monroe County Code, creating Article VII establishing a Municipal
Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) for the collection of special non-ad valorem special assessments for road
elevation and improvement projects to be constructed to address sea level rise and establish a flood
mitigation program, and authorizing the creation of assessment areas in the future. The public hearing
was scheduled to be held on February 17, 2021, in Key West, FL at 1:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as
the item may be heard.
02/17/21: A public hearing to consider adoption of a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the
Monroe County Code, creating Article VII establishing a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) for
the collection of special non-ad valorem special assessments for road elevation and improvement
projects to be constructed to address sea level rise and establish a flood mitigation program, and
authorizing the creation of assessment areas in the future. The public hearing was held on February 17,
2021, in Key West, FL at 1:30 p.m. or soon thereafter.
11/12/25: Discussion and direction on proposed modifications to Chapter 22 of the Monroe County
Code, Article VII, that will allow neighborhoods to request improvements beyond the County's basic
levels of service and to have the neighborhoods fund such improvements through as assessment
program; and to approve the advertisement of a public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed
ordinance revisions amending Chapter 22 of the Monroe County Code, modifying Article VII that
established a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) for the collection of special non-ad valorem
special assessments for projects. The public hearing will be held in January 2026 in Marathon, Florida
at a time and date to be determined at the meeting.
[Submitted] 12/10/25: Discussion and direction on a residential neighborhood improvements program
for proposed modifications to Chapter 22 of the Monroe County Code, Article VII, that will allow
neighborhoods to request improvements beyond the County's basic levels of service and to have the
neighborhoods fund such improvements through an assessment program. The public hearing to consider
adoption of the proposed ordinance revisions amending Chapter 22 of the Monroe County Code,
2384
modifying Article VII that established a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) for the collection of
special non-ad valorem special assessments for projects will be held January 28, 2026, in Marathon,
Florida.
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: No action required- discussion and direction
DOCUMENTATION:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: N/A Expiration Date: N/A
Total Dollar Value of Contract: None
Total Cost to County: To be determined
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted: N/A Source of Funds: N/A
CPI: N/A Indirect Costs: N/A
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts: Staff administration costs
Revenue Producing: No If yes, amount: N/A
Grant: No County Match: N/A
Insurance Required: N/A
Additional Details:
2385