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PACE financiers urge St. Lucie County to place court-validated assessments on tax roll
Summary
Two PACE financiers told the county commission that courts upheld PACE bond validation and urged the tax collector and county to place roughly 185 assessments on the tax roll before the March tax deadline so affected homeowners can plan for payments.
Chris Nard, founder of Fortify Financial, told the St. Lucie County Commission during general public comment that his company performed hundreds of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) assessments in the county and that local officials and the tax collector had unsuccessfully challenged those assessments in court. "They lost that lawsuit in Tallahassee March 2024," Nard said, and he added that the Florida Supreme Court later upheld the lower court on Dec. 15, 2024. He urged staff and the tax collector to place about 185 assessments on the tax roll so homeowners have a chance to make payments and avoid liens affecting refinancing or sales.
A second speaker, David Zamora of 4 5 Financial, reminded commissioners that state law changes (SB 770, effective July 24) now require interlocal agreements between PACE providers and local governments, and said his firm stopped originating in counties that objected until agreements were in place. He noted the urgency of the calendar, saying taxes are due March 31, and asked county leaders and the tax collector to work together to reduce homeowner confusion.
The board did not take immediate action to place assessments on the roll. Instead, the Chair and County staff agreed to schedule the issue for an informal February meeting and to invite the tax collector and the tax collector’s attorney so county staff can research the legal range of options and report back. Staff said any contract or process changes would return to the board for formal action.
Why it matters: If the assessments are not placed on the tax roll, homeowners who are not paying could see liens remain on property records, which can complicate refinancing or sales. Commissioners and staff framed the next step as an informational and legal review rather than a direct order to the tax collector.
What’s next: County staff will coordinate an informal February discussion and will brief the board afterward; the tax collector will be invited to explain the office’s position and timing.
