Understanding Water Control Districts

It is an independent, special taxing district authorized by Chapter 298 of the Florida Statutes to construct, complete, operate, maintain, repair, and replace any and all works and improvements necessary to execute the district water control plan.

The district levies an assessment against property each year that represents a pro-rata share of the cost of executing the water control plan. Included in the assessment is a pro-rata share of the cost to administer and maintain the district. The assessment will appear on the property tax bill sent in November of each year. If you have a mortgage on your property and your taxes are escrowed, your assessments will be included in your monthly mortgage payment. In that case, your tax bill will go directly to your mortgage company and be paid from your escrow account.

Included in the financing may be any and all works and improvements necessary to execute the water control plan. Such items could include main and lateral ditches, canals, levees, dikes, dams, sluices, revetments, reservoirs, holding basins, floodways, pumping stations, siphons, or other works.

Water control districts are governed by a three-member board of supervisors who are elected by the landowners within the district on a one acre/one vote basis. Initial supervisors serve staggered terms, which shall be respectively 1, 2, and 3 years. Thereafter supervisors each serve three-year terms. As terms expire a new supervisor is elected by landowners within the district on a one acre/one vote basis.

The board of supervisors appoints a district manager who manages the affairs of the district.