The Workshop Meeting of Supervisors of The Central Charlotte County Drainage District was held on Thursday, December 16, 2021. The meeting was held in the conference room of the law offices of Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross & Young, P.A., 1107 West Marion Ave, Suite 111, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950.
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. All Supervisors were present as follows: David Anthony, Vincent Boccio, and Carol M. Nevling (via telephone). Also present at the meeting were Judy Uhland, Secretary/Treasurer (via telephone), and Edward L. Wotitzky, Esq., attorney for the District.
Due and proper Notice of the Meeting was established. Attached to these Minutes is the Publisher’s Affidavit of Publication of the Notice of Meeting, verifying the Notice was published on November 26, 2021, and December 3, 2021.
The Supervisors first reviewed the Financial Statements and financial condition of the District. Attached to these Minutes are the October bank statements, financial statements and reconciliations for the period ending November 30, 2021. Ms. Uhland reviewed the financial statements and advised the Supervisors that ad valorum tax income has been deposited into the District’s accounts, and that as of today the account balance is approximately $40,000.00.
Mr. Wotitzky then reported that pursuant to legislation enacted by the Florida legislature as House Bill 53, stormwater districts are required to prepare a needs analysis regarding the Stormwater Management Program or stormwater management system of the District. A template for the report has been prepared and circulated, and the initial needs analysis is required to be completed by June 30, 2022.
Ms. Uhland provided additional information regarding the needs analysis. She noted the District is not contemplating providing additional stormwater facilities, and that the analysis will pertain strictly to maintaining existing facilities. In connection with preparing the report, the Supervisors will review various maintenance matters, including the anticipated maintenance of culverts serving the drainage facilities of the District.
The Supervisors then reviewed and discussed ongoing maintenance of the ditches and canals. Ms. Nevling advised that the Lake Doctors spraying appears to be more effective this year than in the past. Ms. Uhland noted the contract with Lake Docors for spraying the ditches automatically renews at an annual fee of $7,100.00. Pursuant to the contract, Lake Doctors currently provides herbicidal spraying two times each year.
The Supervisors determined that three applications would better serve the maintenance of the ditches and canals. After further discussion and on motion made by David Anthony, seconded by Vincent Boccio, and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED that the contract with Lake Doctors will be amended to provide for three applications of herbicide during the current fiscal year for a price up to $10,500.00,
The Supervisors then discussed actions required to increase the District’s assessment authority. Mr. Wotitzky noted that an increase in the assessment authority is required to assure that the assessments may continue to be collected on the non ad valorm assessment role for Charlotte County. In these regards, the District had approved the utilization of the uniform method for collecting the assessments and established the maximum rate that may be levied of $20.00 per acre at its meeting on July 29, 1994. Because the maximum rate required to meet the District’s financial needs is greater than $20.00 per acre a meeting will need to be duly noticed and held by the Supervisors for the purpose of increasing the maximum rate of assessments. In the event the rate will be increased for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022, the Meeting of Supervisors will need to be conducted as part of the Annual Meeting of Landowners and Supervisors of the District which will be held in June of 2022.
The attorney then noted the corporate existence of The Central Charlotte County Drainage District will end on January 5, 2026, unless extended by order of the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Charlotte County Florida. This matter will be further reviewed at the Annual Meeting of Supervisors.
There being no further business before the Supervisors, the meeting was, on motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Judy Uhland, Secretary