Pinellas County/PSTA Interlocal Agreement

DISCLAIMER:

The following document is a reproduction of the Pinellas County Interlocal Agreement with the Suncoast Transit Authority approved by the Pinellas County Commission.

NO COMMENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS VERSION OF THE DOCUMENT

It has been reformatted and indexed to make it easier for you to find Sections and Subjects.

There have been no knowing changes to document text. If readers find discrepancies between this text and the approved text please mailto:dr.webb@verizon.net

Readers desiring a WORD document copy of this text should e-mail dr.webb@verizon.net and the WORD document will be provided.

TO:  The Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board  of  County  Commissioners  

FROM:  James L.  Bennett, County Attorney  

SUBJECT:  DATE:  Recommendation  to  Approve  the  Transit  Surtax  Interlocal  Agreement  with  the  Pinellas  Suncoast  Transit  Authority

DATE:  June 3, 2014  

RECOMMENDATION:  I  RECOMMEND  THAT  THE  BOARD  OF  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  APPROVE  THE  ATTACHED  TRANSIT  SURTAX  INTERLOCAL  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  PINELLAS  COUNTY  AND  THE  PINELLAS  SUNCOAST  TRANSIT  AUTHORITY. 

DISCUSSION:  The Board adopted Ordinance No.  13-34  on  December  10,  2013,  which  levies  the  Charter  County  and  Regional  Transportation  Surtax  ("Surtax")  at  the  rate  of  one  percent  (  1%)  subject  to  referendum  approval.  That referendum is scheduled for November 4, 2014.  The  intent  of  the  Board,  as  expressed  both  in  Resolution  No.  13-19 and Ordinance No.  13-34,  in  placing  the  referendum  question  on  the  ballet  is  to  provide  a  funding  source  for  countywide  transportation  projects,  specifically  those  outlined  in  the  Greenlight  Pinellas  Plan.

 The  Greenlight  Pinellas  Plan  ("Plan")  was  developed  by  the  Pinellas  Suncoast  Transit  Authority  ("PSTA"),  a  countywide  transportation  authority  created  by  special  act  of  the  Legislature.  The  Plan  calls  for  the  development,  construction,  and  operation  of  public  transit  benefitting  Pinellas  County,  including  an  expanded  bus  system  with  bus  rapid  transit,  increased  frequency  and  extended  hours,  and  local  passenger  rail  and  regional  connections.  The  Plan  calls  for  funding  of  this  transit  system  with  proceeds  collected  through  the  Surtax.

 The  interlocal  agreement  before  the  Board  for  action  is  between  the  County  and  PSTA,  and  provides  for  distribution  of  Surtax  proceeds  received  by  the  County  from  the  Department  of  Revenue  to  the  PSTA.  In addition to distributing the funds,  the  interlocal:  

•         Provides  that  the  County  can  withhold  distribution  of  the  Surtax  proceeds  and/or  reduce  the  Surtax  levy  if  PSTA  exercises  its  ad  valorem  taxing  authority  

•         Allows  PSTA  to  pledge  the  Surtax  proceeds  to  secure  any  debt  or  other  obligations  incurred  by  PSTA  for  its  Green  light  Plan  

•         Provides  for  the  reduction  and/or  termination  of  the  Surtax  upon  the  occurrence  of  certain  defined  events  

•          Requires  County  consent  in  order  for  PSTA  to  undertake  certain  defined  activities  

•          Provides  reimbursement  to  the  County  for  costs  incurred  in  support  of  the  Greenlight  Plan  

•         Sets  forth  a  schedule  of  critical  milestones  for  Greenlight  Plan  

County  staff  has  collaborated  with  PSTA  staff  over  the  last  several  months  to  develop  the  inter  local  attached  to  this  memo.  It  is  recommended  that  the  Board  approve  the  interlocal,  authorize  the  Chair  to  sign,  and  transmit  the  inter  local  to  the  PSTA  for  its  approval.  

Pinellas County/PSTA Interlocal Agreement

e-mail Doc at: dr.webb@verizon.net, or send me a Facebook (Gene Webb)Friend request. See More of Doc at Bay Post Internet and St.Pete Patch, Gulfport Patch, Clearwater Patch, Palm Harbor Patch, Largo Patch.
Disclosures: Contributor to No Tax for Tracks