City of Orlando :: Economic Development

Orlando at Night

Neighborhood Improvement Districts

On March 28, 2011, after considerable review and discussion, the Orlando City Council adopted an ordinance authorizing the creation of Local Government Neighborhood Improvement Districts in locations that meet specific criteria (see Ordinance No. 2011-3). A Local Government Neighborhood Improvement District (LGNID) is one of the four types of Neighborhood Improvement Districts authorized by Florida law (see Part IV, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes).

Purpose

A LGNID is a dependent special district established to monitor and advocate for the interests of the business and property owners within a defined area. It is intended to foster communication and cooperation among business and property owners. It may also plan for, construct, operate or maintain physical improvements.

A LGNID has a staff and an Advisory Council. The Advisory Council develops an operating budget, strategic plan, capital improvements plan and financing plan for review and approval by a Governing Board. The Orlando City Council is the Governing Board.

Taxation and Assessments

A LGNID may levy a special assessment of up to $500 annually for each individual parcel of land in the district, if approved by referendum.

A LGNID may also levy an ad valorem tax on real and personal property of up to 2 mills annually, if approved by referendum.

The Orlando City Council has indicated it will not authorize a referendum concerning special assessments or ad valorem taxes in a LGNID until the LGNID has been in place for at least 18 months.

Minimum Requirements for a LGNID

LGNIDs in the City of Orlando must meet specific criteria listed in Section 40.4(3) of the Orlando City Code (see Ordinance No. 2011-3). A LGNID must also comply with Chapter 163, Part IV, Florida Statutes.

Before a LGNID can be established, the Orlando City Council must first appoint an exploratory committee to determine whether the district is feasible and desirable. The exploratory committee must conduct at least four public meetings, gather information, and issue a report concerning the location, boundaries, size, name, goals, purposes, structure and merits the proposed district (see Ordinance No. 2011-3).

Downtown South Neighborhood Improvement District Exploratory Committee

On June 7, 2010, the Orlando City Council approved a resolution creating the Downtown South Neighborhood Improvement District Exploratory Committee. The Exploratory Committee met four times in 2010 to gather and analyze information relevant to the proposed district. After considering public comments at two advertised hearings, the Exploratory Committee recommended that the City Council adopt two ordinances: (1) an ordinance allowing LGNIDs in the City, and (2) an ordinance creating the Downtown South NID.

Downtown South NID Exploratory Committee

Meeting #1 July 14, 2010 (Wednesday), 10 a.m., Agenda Conference Room, 2^nd Floor, City Hall.
Agenda. Minutes

Meeting #2 August 9, 2010 (Monday) 10 a.m., Conference Room R, 2^nd Floor, City Hall.
Agenda. Minutes.

Meeting #3 August 26, 2010 (Thursday) 10 a.m., Agenda Conference Room, 2^nd Floor, City Hall.
Agenda. Minutes.

Meeting #4 September 13, 2010 (Monday), 10 a.m., Harvard Conference Room, 9^th Floor, City Hall.
Agenda. Minutes.

Reports and Materials

Downtown South NID Exploratory Committee

Progress Memo, August 20, 2010
Draft Report - September 9, 2010
Final Report - September 20, 2010
PowerPoint regarding Neighborhood Improvement Districts

Orlando City Council

Resolution Creating Downtown South NID Exploratory Committee, June 7, 2010
Workshop Presentation, October 18, 2010
City Council Minutes, October 18, 2010

Downtown South Neighborhood Improvement District

On March 28, 2011, the Orlando City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2011-3 allowing LGNIDs in the City. On July 25, 2011, the Orlando City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2011-28 creating the Downtown South NID. Ordinance No. 2011-28 established the Orlando City Council as the Downtown South NID Board of Directors; granted the Downtown South NID all the powers allowed under Section 163.514, Florida Statutes; and authorized a Downtown South NID Advisory Council. The Board of Directors is responsible for “Major Decisions,” such as:

taxation,
special assessments,
financing,
eminent domain, and
contracts in excess of $250,000.

Meeting Schedule

The Downtown South NID Board of Directors meets as needed during regularly scheduled Orlando City Council meetings.

Downtown South NID Boundary

The Downtown South NID is depicted on the Downtown South Neighborhood Improvement District Map (figure 40.12-1). This area includes both the Downtown South Main Street area and the South Downtown Vision Plan study area.

Reports and Materials

Downtown South NID Advisory Council

The Orlando City Council appointed a five member Downtown South NID Advisory Council on October 3, 2011. Current Advisory Council members are as follows:

Name Representing

Rex V. McPherson, II, Chair Orlando Health

Willam Nassal, Sr. Industrial Property Owner

Jon Toothman Downtown South Main Street

Shannon Gravitte At Large

Mary Hurley At Large

The Downtown South NID Advisory Council is responsible for “Minor Decisions,” such as:

preparing an operating budget, neighborhood improvement plan, capital improvements plan, financing plan, and annual report of district activities for review and approval by the Board of Directors;
applying for and receiving grants;
monitoring and providing comments regarding planning, zoning and development proposals affecting Downtown South;
providing recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding “Major Decisions”; and
contracts under $250,000, subject to the annual budget.

Meeting Schedule

The Downtown South NID Advisory Council typically meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Conference Room on the 2^nd Floor of City Hall. Meeting dates, times and locations are subject to change or cancellation and additional meetings may be added if necessary.

2011-12 Meeting Schedule

Agendas & Minutes

Use the following drop-down menus to access Downtown South NID Advisory Council agendas and minutes. All files are in PDF format.

Agendas

Minutes

Reports and Materials

PowerPoint regarding the history of the Downtown South NID, November 17, 2011

Land Use Analysis Maps

Downtown South NID Advisory Council Bylaws

2011-12 Budget, November 17, 2011

Contact

If you have further questions, please contact:

Kevin Tyjeski, AICP
kevin.tyjeski@cityoforlando.net
Phone: 407.246.3387