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RESOLUTION NO. 10-244
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS TO CREATE PACE (PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN
ENERGY) PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) programs can be created by local and state
governments through Energy Financing Districts to allow property owners to
voluntarily pay for energy retrofits over a set number of years.
2. Energy Financing Districts are special tax districts that enable local governments to
fund PACE programs through the issuance of bonds or other methods of financing
to be repaid over a set number of years through a "special tax" or "assessment" on
the property tax bill of those property owners who choose to participate in the
program.
3. The benefits of PACE programs include the elimination of upfront cost barriers for
energy retrofits, providing longterm repayment periods, and structuring payments
as annual tax surcharges or special assessments.
4. The Florida Legislature has passed legislation to provide a clear statutory basis for
PACE programs and energy financing districts in orderto provide a formal structure
for the programs which would greatly reduce the time and risk associated with
implementing the programs at a local level.
5. PACE programs have the potential to increase the accessibility and affordability of
energy savings measures, consequently lowering energy bills to residents, reducing
the environmental footprints of participating localities and creating opportunities
for private industries.
6. St. Lucie County was recently awarded a $2.9 million dollar grant from the United
States Department of Energy to help County residents and businesses fund energy
efficient improvements such as solar PV systems
7. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Office of Comptroller of the
Currency (collectively the "Regulators") issued recent statements attempting to
block our nation's PACE pilot programs. The Regulators actions are a direct
challenge to state and local governments' right to levy special assessments for a
public purpose and wrongly assert that consumer and lender protections are not
sufficient.
8. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners finds that the development
and implementation of PACE programs and Energy Financing Districts are in the
public interest and in the best interest of the health, safety, and economic welfare
of the citizens of St. Lucie County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
1. That the foregoing recitals are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
2. That the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida hereby
supports the adoption of federal legislation that protects the right of state and local governments
to create PACE programs and initiatives.
3. That the County Administrator is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution
to President Barack Obama and to St. Lucie County's federal legislative delegation.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this a! day of September 2010.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF CO NTY CC
ST. LUCIE COU , FL
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MISSIONERS
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