Public commenter briefs commissioners on Florida PACE ruling; county attorney says office not representing tax collector
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Summary
A Fortify representative told the board the Florida Supreme Court upheld a lower-court ruling about the Florida PACE Funding Agency and the uniform method of collection; the county attorney said he was familiar with the case but is not representing the tax collector, who has retained outside counsel.
Chris Peterson of Fortify addressed the Seminole County Board during public comment to summarize a recent Florida Supreme Court decision involving the Florida PACE Funding Agency (FPFA) and the collection of assessments. Peterson said the ruling affirms that assessments collected during a specific period should be collected by tax collectors under the uniform method of collection and noted a July 1, 2024 home-rule provision requires interlocal agreements for PACE activity going forward.
"That ruling came in just before Christmas, and it did uphold the lower court ruling, which does specifically state that those assessments during that particular period of time need to be collected by the tax collectors as part of the uniform method of collection," Chris Peterson said, offering to leave a copy of the decision with the clerk.
County Attorney (unnamed) told commissioners he was familiar with the Supreme Court case and "takes no issue with his summary of it," but clarified his office is not representing the tax collector in PACE-related matters and that the tax collector has retained outside counsel. He also said the matter did not require direct board action at the current time.