Infrastructure

Florida faces two infrastructure needs. The first is the lack of adequate infrastructure and services for current residents. The second is the increase in the demand for infrastructure and services created by the influx of new residents to the State. Current and projected needs must both be addressed. New growth should not be unfairly burdened with the costs of correcting existing deficiencies.

Adequate Funding

The challenge is to find and use the most equitable, efficient, and effective funding sources to provide the infrastructure and service needs of present and future Florida citizens. It is the responsibility of the State to provide local governments and school boards with adequate, recurring revenue sources to meet their capital facility and maintenance needs rather than impose upon new development the burden of funding corrective action for infrastructure deficts for which new development is not responsible.

Infrastructure Deficits

A Statewide funding system needs to be implemented that allows local failed or failing services to "catch up". The burden placed on local governments to revitalize existing cities for urban infill is high. Those costs are often shifted to new developments that pay impact fees and mitigation payments that are used to reduce existing infrastructure deficits, not to provide the new facilities necessary for the new developments that made the payments.

Special Taxing Districts

Special taxing districts, notably Community Development Districts (CDDs) and Stewardship Districts, are effective tools to provide and maintain infrastructure to support new communities of varying sizes without burdening cities and counties. Their widespread use in Florida demonstrates market acceptance by consumers. Financial markets and lenders continue to invest in Florida and these districts, even through the most recent recession. In part, this is due to the relative stability of Florida’s law governing these districts. Any incremental change in the law should be carefully considered so as not to unwisely hamper these job creating, infrastructure building, long term maintenance entities.