Parkland commissioners direct staff to develop hardship loan program for Ranches homeowners

City commissioners on Wednesday reviewed a proposed Road Assessment Hardship program designed to help long‑term homeowners in The Ranches pay a new special assessment without being forced from their primary residences.

Finance Director Kelly Schwartz told the commission the program is structured as a loan secured by a recorded lien and is intended to keep eligible residents in their homes while allowing the city to recover funds when title transfers. "We will be placing a 20 year lien on the parcels that receive the assistance," Schwartz said, adding the program is meant to be "more of a loan program rather than a grant."

The proposal grew out of higher assessment figures in The Ranches, a neighborhood of 175 parcels where staff reported 42 percent of properties do not carry homestead exemptions. Of the remaining homesteaded parcels, staff identified roughly 102 properties; five parcels are city‑owned. Using a 2.5‑acre example, Schwartz said an initial prepayment for a typical homesteaded property would be about $19,983 and the annual assessment would not exceed $2,033.70, though the final annual amount depends on total prepayments and negotiated loan terms.

Schwartz described three pathways for eligibility. Households could be automatically eligible if they present current award documentation for federal assistance such as TANF, SNAP or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If not, applicants could pursue an income‑verification route requiring two years of tax returns or equivalent income documentation, current income statements, a sworn affidavit and a signed loan agreement. Staff also asked commissioners whether to require a minimum number of years of residence and whether properties with unresolved code violations should be eligible. The commission agreed the program should prioritize long‑term homeowners and coalesced around a 10‑year minimum residency threshold.

Staff warned applicants that submitted documents become public records, subject to ordinary redactions (for example, social security and bank account numbers). "That grant application and the backup…does become a public record of the city," Schwartz said, noting staff will include a disclosure in the mailing. Counsel added the loan agreement would be recorded in public records to create enforceable lien rights and to make the city’s claim discoverable in a title search.

Commissioners debated mechanics of the assistance. Staff said the program contemplates providing an upfront payment (a one‑time amount) so recipients would not need to make annual payments themselves; the city would lose interest earnings on funds used but would be repaid if the property sells or otherwise transfers title while the lien is in effect. Counsel advised the commission that the city cannot simply place this assistance on the tax bill per special‑assessment counsel comments, so staff will pursue recorded loan agreements or other collection mechanisms as appropriate.

Staff estimated the number of likely eligible households in The Ranches would be small; Schwartz said the city currently suspects fewer than five qualifying properties. The timeline discussed calls for staff to mail letters this week, open the program to applications from Jan. 19 through Feb. 19 and note that the initial prepayment deadline for the special assessment is Feb. 25. Staff told commissioners they will return at the next formal meeting with a resolution to adopt program details and forms.

The commission gave staff direction to finalize application materials and enforcement language and to bring a formal agenda item back to the commission for adoption. The workshop ended with a motion to adjourn.