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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to Palm Beach County; creating the 2
Village of Loxahatchee; providing a charter; providing 3
legislative intent; providing boundaries; providing 4
municipal powers; providing for a council -manager form 5
of government and composition and election of the 6
council; providing for eligibility, terms, duties, 7
compensation, and reimbursement of expenses of 8
council members; providing for a mayor and vice mayor; 9
providing scheduling requirements of council meetings; 10
prohibiting interference with village em ployees; 11
providing for filling of vacancies and forfeiture of 12
office; providing for the appointment of a village 13
manager and village attorney and the qualifications, 14
removal, powers, and duties thereof; providing for the 15
establishment of village departmen ts, agencies, 16
personnel, and boards; providing for an annual 17
independent audit; providing that the state is not 18
liable for financial shortfalls of the village; 19
providing for nonpartisan elections and matters 20
relating thereto; providing for the recall of c ouncil 21
members; providing for initiative and referenda; 22
providing for a code of ethics; providing for future 23
amendments to the charter; providing for severability; 24
providing a village transition schedule and procedures 25
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
for the first election; providing for first-year 26
expenses; providing for adoption of comprehensive 27
plans and land development regulations; providing for 28
accelerated entitlement to state -shared revenues; 29
providing for entitlement to all local revenue sources 30
allowed by general law; providing f or the sharing of 31
communications services tax revenues; providing for 32
receipt and distribution of local option gas tax 33
revenues; providing for continuation of the Palm Beach 34
County Fire Rescue Municipal Service Taxing Unit; 35
providing for continuation of th e Palm Beach County 36
Library Taxing District; providing for law 37
enforcement; providing for the continuation of the 38
Indian Trail Improvement District and for the transfer 39
of certain District assets and liabilities; providing 40
for waiver of specified eligibil ity provisions; 41
requiring a referendum; providing an effective date. 42
43
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 44
45
Section 1. Corporate name; purpose of the charter; 46
creation and establishment of the Village of Loxahatchee. 47
(1) CORPORATE NAME.—The municipality hereby established 48
shall be known as the Village of Loxahatchee ("Village"). 49
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2) PURPOSE OF THE CHARTER. —This act, together with any 50
future amendments thereto, shall be known as the charter of the 51
Village of Loxahatchee ("cha rter"). 52
(a) The Loxahatchee area in Palm Beach County includes a 53
compact and contiguous rural community with a population of 54
approximately 43,000 people who are experiencing certain impacts 55
and threats to the agricultural character and lifestyle as well 56
as plant and tree nurseries face impacts and threats to their 57
agricultural business in the Loxahatchee community from 58
urbanization in the surrounding area. 59
(b) It is in the best interests of the public health, 60
safety, and welfare of the residents of the "Loxahatchee Area" 61
to form a separate municipality for the "Loxahatchee Area" with 62
all the powers and authority necessary to provide adequate and 63
efficient municipal services to its residents. 64
(c) It is intended that this charter and the incorporation 65
of the "Loxahatchee area" shall serve to preserve and protect 66
the equestrian and agricultural character, natural resources and 67
rural quality of life of the community. In furtherance of this 68
intent, the rights of the Village residents, on properties zoned 69
agricultural or agricultural residential, as defined by the Palm 70
Beach County Comprehensive Plan on the date of incorporation, to 71
utilize said lands for agricultural uses and shall not be 72
infringed upon by the Village, except for the following shall 73
not be construed as an infringement of said rights: 74
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1. Laws of the United States; 75
2. Laws of the State; or 76
3. Best Management Practices adopted by the State 77
Department of Agriculture; or 78
4. Agricultural Best Management Practices or any public 79
health, safety, and welfare regulations as may be adopted by 80
ordinance by the council. 81
(d) It is intended that this charter and the incorporation 82
of the Village is to secure the benefits of self -determination 83
and affirm the values of representative democracy, citizen 84
participation, strong community leadership, professional 85
management, and regional cooperation. 86
(e) It is the intent of this charter and the incorporation 87
of the Village to maintain a financially secure and sustainable 88
municipal government and to responsib ly manage the Village's 89
debt obligations without causing the state to incur any 90
liability. 91
(3) CREATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF 92
LOXAHATCHEE. 93
(a) This act shall take effect upon approval by a majority 94
vote of those qualified electors residing within the corporate 95
limits of the proposed Village, as described in section 4, 96
voting in a special election referendum conducted by the 97
Supervisor of Elections of Palm Beach County to be held November 98
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
7, 2023, in accordance with the provisions of law relating to 99
elections currently in force. 100
(b) The Village of Loxahatchee is created and established 101
effective December 31, 2023, for the purpose of complian ce with 102
s. 200.066, Florida Statutes, relating to assessment and 103
collection of ad valorem taxes. 104
Section 2. Powers of village; form of government. —- 105
(1) POWERS OF THE VILLAGE. —The Village shall have all 106
available governmental, corporate, and propriet ary powers of a 107
municipality under the State Constitution and laws of this state 108
as fully and completely as though such powers were specifically 109
enumerated in this charter, and may exercise them, except where 110
prohibited by law. Through the adoption of this charter, it is 111
the intent of the electors of the Village that the municipal 112
government established in this section shall have the broadest 113
exercise of home rule powers permitted under the State 114
Constitution and Laws of the State. This charter and the powe rs 115
of the Village shall be construed liberally in favor of the 116
Village. 117
(2) CONSTRUCTION.—The powers of the Village under this 118
charter shall be construed liberally in favor of the Village, 119
and the specific mention of particular powers in the charter 120
shall not be construed as limiting the general powers granted in 121
this charter in any way. 122
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(3) FORM OF GOVERNMENT. —The Village shall be a council -123
manager form of government, with the council to consist of five 124
Village council ("council") members elected by th e Village at-125
large. The council shall constitute the governing body of the 126
Village, with the duties and responsibilities hereinafter 127
provided. The council shall appoint a Village manager to be the 128
chief administrative officer of the Village who shall serve at 129
the pleasure of the council. 130
Section 3. Nominations and elections. — 131
(1) NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS: ELECTORS: QUALIFYING. — 132
(a) Nonpartisan elections. —All elections shall be 133
conducted on a nonpartisan basis without designation of 134
political party affi liation. 135
(b) Electors.—Any person who is a resident of the Village, 136
who has qualified as an elector of this state, and who registers 137
as prescribed by law shall be an elector of the Village. 138
(c) Qualifying.— 139
1. Each candidate for Village council shall be a qualified 140
elector of the Village and must reside in the Village for at 141
least 1 year before the beginning of the qualifying period for 142
the office sought. 143
2. Any elector of the Village who wishes to become a 144
candidate for Village council shall qualify with the Supervisor 145
of Elections of Palm Beach County for the initial elections; 146
thereafter, candidates shall qualify with the official 147
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designated by Village resolution or general law by providing 148
proof of voter registration, current address, and 1 year of 149
residency in the Village, unless the Village council, by 150
resolution, provides that the Supervisor of Elections of Palm 151
Beach County conduct the candidate qualification process. 152
3. The qualifying period for candidates for Village council 153
shall be the same as provided by the Supervisor of Elections of 154
Palm Beach County or as otherwise provided by ordinance. 155
(2) ELECTIONS.-– 156
(a) Adoption of Florida Election Code. —All elections 157
required under any article or section of this charter shall be 158
conducted in accordance with the Florida Election Code, chapters 159
97-106, Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided in this 160
charter. The council, by ordinance, may adopt such election 161
procedures as are necessary and as provided by the Florida 162
Election Code, chapters 97-106, Florida Statutes. 163
(b) At large elections. — 164
1. The first election of council members shall be held 165
March 12, 2024, and thereafter will be held every odd -numbered 166
year, unless this date is required to be changed to a date 167
concurrent with any count ywide or statewide election . 168
2. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes in 169
the Village at-large election shall be elected. 170
3. The term of office for an elected council member shall 171
begin immediately after official certification of the results of 172
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the election and shall expire upon the assumption of office by 173
his or her successor. 174
4. No election for a council member seat shall be required 175
if there is only one duly qualified candidate for the council 176
member seat. 177
(c) Village canvassing board. —The canvassing board shall 178
be composed of three members appointed by the Village council 179
by resolution. No member of the Village canvass ing board shall 180
be an active participant in the Village election for which he or 181
she is canvassing as the term "active participant" is 182
interpreted by the Division of Elections. Should a vacancy occur 183
on the canvassing board, the Village council shall appoi nt a 184
replacement member by resolution. The Village canvassing board 185
shall canvass the election consistent with the requirements of 186
Florida law and consistent with and pursuant to any agreement 187
between the Village and the Supervisor of Elections of Palm 188
Beach County. The canvassing board shall certify the results of 189
the election upon receipt of the certification from the 190
Supervisor of Elections. However, the Village council may, by 191
resolution, delegate the election canvassing responsibilities 192
for Village elections to the county canvassing board. 193
(3) RECALL.—The qualified voters of the Village shall have 194
the power to remove from office any elected official of the 195
Village in accordance with the state law. 196
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 4. Corporate boundaries. —The territorial 197
boundaries of the Village of Loxahatchee upon the date of 198
incorporation shall include the following areas situated in Palm 199
Beach County: 200
201
BEING PORTIONS OF TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST; 202
TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST; TOWNSHIP 43 SOUTH, 203
RANGE 40 EAST AND TOWNSHIP 43 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST, 204
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY 205
DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: 206
207
TOGETHER WITH: 208
TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST 209
THE SOUTH ONE-HALF (S 1/2) OF SECTIONS 13, 14, AND 15 210
AND ALL OF SECTIONS 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 35, AND 211
36; AND THE SOUTH HALF OF SECTION 34; AND ALL THAT 212
PART OF SECTION 31 LYING NORTH AND EAST OF THE NORTH 213
EASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF LEVEE L-8, A PROJECT IN 214
THE PLAN OF WATER CONTROL OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN 215
FLORIDA FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. 216
217
TOGETHER WITH: 218
TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST 219
ALL OF SECTIONS 31, 33, 34, AND 35. 220
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
THE WEST 1/2 OF SECTION 17 AND ALL OF SECTIONS 18, 19, 221
20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, AND 32. 222
PCNs: 00414216000005010, 00414216000005020, 223
00414216000005030, 00414216000005040, 224
00414216000005050, 00414216000005060, 225
00414216000005070, AND 00414216000005080 AND THAT AREA 226
OF NORTHLAKE BOULEVARD BETWEEN THESE PCNs. 227
228
TOGETHER WITH: 229
TOWNSHIP 43 SOUTH, RANGE 40 EAST 230
ALL OF SECTIONS 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, AND 15; THAT PART OF 231
SECTION 3 LYING NORTHERLY AND WESTERLY OF THE 232
SOUTHEASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE "M" CANAL; THE 233
WEST THREE-QUARTERS (W 3/4) OF SECTIONS 13, 24, AND 234
25; AND THAT PART OF THE M" CANAL; THE WEST THREE -235
QUARTERS (W 3/4) OF SECTIONS 13, 24, AND 25; AND THAT 236
PART OF THE CANAL; THE WEST THREE -QUARTERS (W 3/4) OF 237
SECTIONS 13, 24, AND 25; AND THAT PART OF THE WEST 238
THREE-QUARTERS (W 3/4) OF SECTION 36 LYING NORTH OF 239
THE NORTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF STATE ROAD 80 LESS 240
PCNs 00404326010030010, 00404326010030020, 241
00404326010030030, 00404326010030040, 242
00404326010030050, 00404326010030060, 243
00404326010030190, 00404326010030200, 244
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
00404326010030210, 00404326010030220, 245
00404326010030230, AND 00404336000003020; 246
AND ALL THAT PART OF SECTIONS 5, 8, AND 6 LESS PCNs 247
00404305000003010 AND 00404306000001010 LYING NORTH 248
AND EAST OF THE NORTH EASTERLY RIGHT -OF-WAY LINE OF 249
LEVEE L-8, A PROJECT IN THE PLAN OF WATER CONTROL OF 250
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHER N FLORIDA FLOOD CONTROL 251
DISTRICT. 252
253
TOGETHER WITH: 254
TOWNSHIP 43 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST 255
ALL OF SECTIONS 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, AND 11. 256
257
TOGETHER WITH: 258
PARCEL 1 259
A PARCEL OF LAND LYING IN THE SOUTH 587.82 FEET OF 260
SECTION 15, TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST, PALM 261
BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, BEING BOUNDED AS FOLLOWS: 262
BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 15. 263
BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR COCONUT 264
BOULEVARD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 5778, 265
PAGE 1279, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL ORIDA. 266
BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR LAKE PARK 267
WEST ROAD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1229, 268
PAGE 131, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA. 269
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
BOUNDED ON THE EAST BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR 120TH 270
AVENUE NORTH AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 271
1229, PAGE 135, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, 272
FLORIDA. CONTAINING: 35.15 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. 273
274
TOGETHER WITH: 275
PARCEL 2 276
A PARCEL OF LAND LYING IN THE SOUTH 587.82 FEET OF 277
SECTION 15, TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST, PALM 278
BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, BEING BOUNDED AS FOLLOWS: 279
BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 280
15 281
BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY AS RECORDED IN 282
OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1229, PAGE 135, PUBLIC RECORDS, 283
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA. 284
285
BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR LAKE PARK 286
WEST ROAD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1229, 287
PAGE 131, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA. 288
289
BOUNDED ON THE EAST BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR COCONUT 290
BOULEVARD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORD S BOOK 5778, 291
PAGE 1279, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA. 292
293
CONTAINING: 30.71 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. 294
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
295
EXCEPTING THEREFROM THE ADDITIONAL RIGHT -OF-WAY AS 296
RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 12017, PAGE 1009, 297
PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA . 298
NET ACREAGE (LESS ADDITIONAL RIGHT -OF-WAY) 29.59 299
ACRES, MORE OR LESS SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS, 300
RESTRICTIONS, RESERVATIONS AND RIGHTS -OF-WAY OF 301
RECORD. 302
303
TOGETHER WITH: 304
PARCEL 3 305
A PARCEL OF LAND LYING IN THE SOUTH 587.82 FEET OF 306
SECTION 16, TOWNSHIP 42 SOU TH, RANGE 41 EAST, PALM 307
BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, 308
BEING BOUNDED AS FOLLOWS: 309
BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 310
16 311
BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR 140TH 312
AVENUE NORTH AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 313
1229, PAGE 133, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, 314
FLORIDA. 315
BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR LAKE PARK 316
WEST ROAD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1229, 317
PAGE 125, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA. 318
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BOUNDED ON THE EAST BY THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST ONE —319
HALF OF SAID SECTION 16. HALF OF SAID SECTION 16. 320
EXCEPTING THEREFROM THE ADDITIONAL RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR 321
NORTHLAKE BOULEVARD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS 322
BOOK 20418, PAGE 771, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH 323
COUNTY, FLORIDA. 324
CONTAINING: 34.09 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. 325
SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS, RESERVATIONS AND 326
RIGHTS-OF-WAY OF RECORD. 327
328
TOGETHER WITH: 329
PARCEL 4 330
A PARCEL OF LAND LYING IN THE SOUTH 587.82 FEET OF 331
SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 42 SOUTH, RANGE 41 EAST, PALM 332
BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, 333
334
BEING BOUNDED AS FOLLOWS: 335
336
BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 17. 337
338
BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST ONE -339
HALF OF SECTION 17. 340
341
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR LAKE PARK 342
WEST ROAD AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 1229, 343
PAGE 125, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA. 344
345
BOUNDED ON THE EAST BY THE RIGHT -OF-WAY FOR 140TH 346
AVENUE NORTH AS RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 347
1229, PAGE 133, PUBLIC RECORDS, PALM BEACH COUNTY, 348
FLORIDA. 349
350
CONTAINING: 35.73 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. 351
352
All lying in Palm Beach County, Florida, being 353
approximately 27,000 acres. 354
355
Section 5. Village council.— 356
(1) GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. —All powers of the Village 357
shall be vested in the council, except as otherwise provided by 358
law or this charter, and the council shall provide for the 359
exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and 360
obligations permitted by or imposed on the Village by law. 361
(2) COMPOSITION; ELIGIBILITY; TERMS. — 362
(a) Composition.—There shall be a Village council composed 363
of four council members and a Mayor. Each council member and 364
Mayor shall be elected by the voters of the Village at large. 365
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) Eligibility.—In addition to the requirements provided 366
in section 3 for qualifyi ng: 367
1. Each council member must reside in the Village for the 368
duration of his or her term. 369
2. The term of office for each council member shall be 4 370
years. 371
3. No council member shall serve more than two consecutive 372
4-year terms as council members. For t he purposes of calculating 373
term limits, partial terms shall not be counted toward term 374
limits. 375
4. No Mayor shall serve more than two consecutive 4 -year 376
terms as Mayor. For the purposes of calculating term limits, 377
partial terms shall not be counted toward term limits. 378
(c) Seats.—The Village council shall be divided into five 379
separate council seats to be designated as seats 1, 2, 3, 4 and 380
Mayor, to be voted on a Villagewide basis, with each qualified 381
elector entitled to vote for one candidate for each seat . Each 382
candidate shall qualify on a Villagewide basis and may reside 383
anywhere within the Village. Following the initial election the 384
council may, by ordinance, provide that Seats 1, 2, 3, and 4 385
shall represent four separate district areas of the Village, a s 386
designated on a map of the Village, which map shall be included 387
in and made a part of said ordinance, with each candidate 388
residing in his or her respective area and must reside during 389
his or her term of office. 390
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(3) MAYOR; VICE MAYOR. — 391
(a) Mayor.-–The Mayor shall be a voting member of the 392
council and shall serve as chairperson during the meetings of 393
the council and shall serve as the head of municipal government 394
for the purpose of execution of legal documents as required by 395
ordinance. The Mayor shall a lso serve as the ceremonial head of 396
the Village. 397
(b) Vice Mayor.—At the first regularly scheduled meeting 398
after the Village's first election and each regular election 399
thereafter and after receiving the certified results of the 400
election, the council, by a majority vote, shall select from its 401
membership a Vice Mayor. Each year in which a regular election 402
is not scheduled, the council, by the second regular meeting 403
after the March meeting, shall by majority vote select from its 404
membership a Vice Mayor. The V ice Mayor shall serve as Mayor 405
during the absence or disability of the Mayor and, if a vacancy 406
of the Mayor occurs, shall become interim Mayor until a Mayor is 407
elected as described in subsections (2) and (3). 408
(4) COMPENSATION.—The initial compensation fo r the council 409
members shall be $18,000 per year, payable in equal monthly 410
payments and the Mayor shall be $20,000 per year, payable in 411
equal monthly payments; less applicable taxes; plus an annual 412
cost of living increase of one percent. An ordinance increa sing 413
or decreasing compensation of the council may be adopted at any 414
time upon the affirmative vote of four members of the council; 415
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however, if the council takes action to change the level of 416
compensation, the salary of council members shall not be 417
adjusted until after the first day after the next regular 418
municipal election. In accordance with Florida laws, the council 419
may provide for reimbursement of actual expenses incurred by its 420
members, including the Mayor, while performing their official 421
duties. 422
(5) COUNCIL MEETINGS.— 423
(a) The council shall hold a minimum of 12 regular 424
meetings per year in accordance with a duly adopted ordinance or 425
resolution. Special meetings may be held at the call of the 426
Mayor or a majority of the council members. At least a 24 -hour 427
notice shall be provided to each council member and the public 428
for special meetings, unless there is an immediate threat to the 429
public safety. Except as authorized by law, all meetings shall 430
be open to the public. 431
(b) Three members of the Village c ouncil shall constitute 432
a quorum for the conduct of business unless otherwise provided 433
herein. Unless a quorum is present, no action may be taken 434
except to adjourn. In order to approve any action or adopt any 435
ordinance or resolution there must be at least three affirmative 436
votes for the action, unless otherwise provided herein. 437
(c) All council members present shall vote on all matters 438
before the council except on those matters for which a council 439
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member announces a conflict of interest or the Village atto rney 440
determines that there is a conflict of interest. 441
(6) PROHIBITIONS.— 442
(a) Neither the council, nor any individual member of the 443
council, shall in any manner attempt to dictate the employment 444
or removal of any employee other than the Village manager and 445
Village attorney. The council is free to make inquiries of 446
Village employees, but no individual member of the council shall 447
give orders to any officer or employee of the Village. 448
Recommendations for improvements in Village government 449
operations shall come through the Village manager, but each 450
member of the council shall be free to discuss or recommend 451
improvements to the Village manager, and the council is free to 452
direct the Village manager to implement specific recommendations 453
for improvement in the Vi llage government operations. 454
(b) No present or former elected Village official shall 455
hold any compensated appointive office or employment with the 456
Village until 1 year after leaving office. 457
(7) VACANCIES; FORFEITURE OF OFFICE; FILLING OF 458
VACANCIES.— 459
(a) Vacancies.—A vacancy in the office of a member of the 460
council shall occur upon the incumbent's death, inability to 461
fulfill the duties of the office, relocation of residence 462
outside the Village, resignation, appointment to another public 463
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office, judicially determined incompetence, or removal or 464
forfeiture of office as described in this subsection. 465
(b) Forfeiture of office. — 466
1. A member of the council may forfeit the office if the 467
member: 468
a. Lacks at any time during the term of office any 469
qualification for the office prescribed by this charter or by 470
law; 471
b. Violates any express prohibition of this charter; 472
c. Is convicted of a felony or criminal misdemeanor, which 473
felony or misdemeanor involves the office of Village council; 474
d. Is found to have violated any standard of conduct or 475
code of ethics established by law for public officials or has 476
been suspended from office by the Governor, unless subsequently 477
reinstated as provided by law; or 478
e. Misses three consecutive regularly scheduled cou ncil 479
meetings without justifiable reason or unless excused by the 480
council. 481
2. If any of these events should occur, a hearing shall 482
automatically be conducted at the next regularly scheduled 483
council meeting or a special meeting may be called, and the 484
member may be declared to have forfeited office by majority vote 485
of the council. 486
(c) Filing of vacancies. 487
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1. A vacancy on the council shall be filled by a majority 488
vote of the remaining members of the council for the period of 489
time until the next election, w hen a council member shall be 490
elected for the remainder of the term vacated. If more than 6 491
months remain in the unexpired term and a majority of the 492
remaining council members cannot reach a decision within 60 days 493
after a vacancy occurs, the vacancy shal l be filled by a special 494
election. 495
2. In the event that all of the council members are removed 496
by death, disability, recall, forfeiture of office, or 497
resignation, the Governor shall appoint interim council members 498
who shall call a special election at leas t 30 days, but no more 499
than 60 days, after such appointment. Such election shall be 500
held in the same manner as the initial elections under this 501
charter. However, if there are fewer than 6 months remaining in 502
any unexpired terms, the interim council appoint ed by the 503
Governor shall serve out the unexpired terms. Appointees must 504
meet all requirements for candidates as provided in this 505
charter. 506
Section 6. Administration.— 507
(1) VILLAGE MANAGER. — 508
(a) The council shall appoint a Village manager, or a 509
management firm to fulfill the duties of a Village manager, who 510
shall serve at the pleasure of the council. The qualifications 511
of the Village manager or firm may be established by ordinance. 512
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(b) The Village manager or firm may be removed by a 513
majority vote of the council. 514
(c) During the absence or disability of the Village 515
manager, the Village council may by resolution designate a 516
properly qualified person to temporarily execute the functions 517
of the Village manager. Such person shall have the same powers 518
and duties as the Village manager and may be removed by the 519
Village council at any time upon a majority vote of the council. 520
(d) The Village manager or firm shall: 521
1. Appoint, hire, suspend, demote, or dismiss any Village 522
employee under the Village manager' s jurisdiction in accordance 523
with the law, and may authorize any department head to exercise 524
these powers with respect to subordinates in that department. 525
2. Direct and supervise the administration of all 526
departments of the Village except the office of th e Village 527
attorney. 528
(2) VILLAGE ATTORNEY. — There shall be a Village attorney 529
who shall be a member of The Florida Bar in good standing, be 530
appointed by the council, and serve as the chief legal advisor 531
to the council and Village administrators, departmen ts, and 532
agencies. The council may remove the Village attorney for any 533
reason by a majority vote of its members. 534
Section 7. Departments; personnel; planning. — 535
(1) DEPARTMENTS; BOARDS; AGENCIES. —The council may 536
establish, modify, or terminate such department, board, or 537
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agencies as it determines necessary for the effective 538
administration of employees of the Village's departments, 539
boards, and agencies. 540
(2) PERSONNEL.—Consistent with all applicable state and 541
federal laws, the council shall provide by ordinance for the 542
establishment, regulation, and maintenance of a system governing 543
personnel policies necessary for the effective administration of 544
employees of the Village's departments, boards, and agencies. 545
(3) PLANNING.—Consistent with all applicable state and 546
federal laws with respect to land use, development, and 547
environmental protection, the Village shall: 548
(a) Designate an employee, agency, or agencies to ex ecute 549
the planning functions with such decisionmaking responsibilities 550
as may be specified by ordinance or general law. 551
(b) Adopt a comprehensive plan and ensure that zoning and 552
other land use control ordinances are consistent with the plan, 553
all in accordance with general law and this charter. The Palm 554
Beach County Comprehensive Plan, as it exists on the day the 555
Village commences corporate existence, shall serve as the 556
initial comprehensive plan of the Village until the Village 557
adopts its own comprehensiv e plan pursuant to chapter 163, 558
Florida Statutes. 559
(c) Adopt zoning and development regulations, to be 560
specified by ordinance consistent with this charter, to 561
implement the plan. 562
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(d) Any change to the town's future land use map, or any 563
change to zoning designation for any parcel within the town 564
shall require the affirmative vote of no fewer than four members 565
of the town council. 566
Section 8. Financial management. — 567
(1) FISCAL YEAR.—The fiscal year of the Village shall 568
begin on the first day of October and end on the last day of 569
September of each year. 570
(2) EXPENDITURE OF VILLAGE FUNDS. — No Village funds shall 571
be expended except pursuant to a duly approved appropriations or 572
for the payment of bonds, notes, or other indebtedness duly 573
authorized by the council and only from such funds so 574
authorized. 575
(3) BUDGET ADOPTION. —The council shall adopt a budget in 576
accordance with applicable general law, after a minimum of two 577
public hearings on the proposed budget. A resolution adopting 578
the annual budget shall c onstitute appropriation of the amounts 579
specified therein as expenditures from funds indicated. 580
(4) EXPENDITURES.—The budget shall not provide for 581
expenditures in an amount greater than the revenues budgeted. 582
(5) APPROPRIATIONS. -– 583
(a) If, during the f iscal year, revenues in excess of such 584
revenues estimated in the budget are available for 585
appropriation, the council by resolution may make supplemental 586
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appropriations for the year in an amount not to exceed such 587
excess. 588
(b) If, at any time during the fi scal year, it appears 589
probable to the Village manager that the revenues available will 590
be insufficient to meet the amount appropriated, the Village 591
manager shall report to the council without delay, indicating 592
the estimated amount of the deficiency, any re medial action 593
taken, and recommendations as to any other steps that should be 594
taken. The council shall then take such further action as it 595
deems necessary to prevent or minimize any deficiency and, for 596
that purpose, the council may by resolution reduce one or more 597
appropriations accordingly. 598
(c) No appropriation for debt service may be reduced or 599
transferred, and no appropriation may be reduced below any 600
amount required by law to be appropriated, or by more than the 601
unencumbered balance thereof. Notwiths tanding any other 602
provisions of law, the supplemental and emergency appropriations 603
and reduction or transfer of appropriations authorized by this 604
section may be made effective immediately upon adoption. 605
(6) BONDS; INDEBTEDNESS. -– 606
(a) Subject to the ref erendum requirements of the State 607
Constitution, if applicable, the Village may from time to time 608
borrow money and issue bonds or other obligations or evidence of 609
indebtedness (collectively, "bonds") of any type or character 610
for any of the purposes for whic h the Village is now or 611
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hereafter authorized by law to borrow money, including to 612
finance the cost of any capital or other project and to refund 613
any and all previous issues of bonds at or before maturity. Such 614
bonds may be issued pursuant to one or more re solutions adopted 615
by a majority of the council. 616
(b) The Village may assume all outstanding indebtedness 617
related to facilities that it acquires from other units of local 618
government and be liable for payment of such indebtedness in 619
accordance with its term s. 620
(7) REVENUE BONDS.—Revenue bonds may be issued by the 621
Village as authorized by law. 622
(8) ANNUAL AUDIT.—The council shall provide for an 623
independent annual financial audit of all Village accounts and 624
may provide for more frequent audits as it deems necessary. Such 625
audits shall be made by a certified public accountant or a firm 626
of such accountants who have no personal interest, directly or 627
indirectly, in the fiscal affairs of the Village government or 628
in any of its officers. 629
(9) SHORTFALLS.—The state is not liable for financial 630
shortfalls of the Village. 631
Section 9. Initiative and referendum. —The powers of 632
initiative and referendum are reserved to the qualified 633
registered voters of the Village. The election laws of the state 634
shall govern the exerc ise of the powers of initiative and 635
referendum under this charter. 636
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Section 10. Referendum election: transition. — 637
(1) REFERENDUM ELECTION. —The referendum election called 638
for by this action shall be held on the November 7, 2023, 639
ballot: 640
641
"Shall the Village of Loxahatchee be created and its charter 642
adopted? YES / NO" 643
644
In the event this question is answered affirmatively by a 645
majority of voters voting in the referendum, the charter will 646
take effect as provided herein. The referendum election shall be 647
conducted by the Supervisor of Elections of Palm Beach County in 648
accordance with the Florida Election Code, and the cost of such 649
election shall be funded by the Board of County Commissioners of 650
Palm Beach County. 651
(2) INITIAL ELECTION OF COUNCIL. -– 652
(a) After the adoption of this charter, the Board of 653
County Commissioners of Palm Beach County shall call an election 654
to be held March 12, 2024, for the election of five Village 655
council members. The election shall be conducted by the 656
Supervisor of Elections of Palm Beach County in accordance with 657
the Florida Election Code, and the cost of such election shall 658
be funded by the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach 659
County. 660
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(b) An individual who wishes to run for one of five 661
initial seats on the council sh all qualify with the Supervisor 662
of Elections of Palm Beach County in accordance with this 663
charter and general law. 664
(c) For the initial elections, the county canvassing board 665
shall certify the results of the elections in accordance with 666
general law. 667
(d) The two council members receiving the highest number 668
of votes and the Mayor shall each be elected to an initial term 669
expiring upon certification of the election results for the 670
March 2028 election. The two remaining council members shall 671
each be elected to an initial term expiring upon certification 672
of the election results for the March 2026 election. Thereafter, 673
all terms shall be for a period of 4 years. 674
(3) SCHEDULE.—- 675
(a) First election of council members. —-At the time of its 676
adoption, this charter shall be in effect to the extent 677
necessary so that the first election of members of the Village 678
council may be conducted in accordance with this charter. 679
(b) Time of taking full effect. — This charter shall take 680
full effect for all purposes on and after the date of the first 681
meeting of the newly elected Village council provided in 682
paragraph (c). 683
(c) First council meeting. —-On April 10, 2024, provided 684
the results of the election of the Village council under this 685
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charter have been certified, the newly ele cted members of the 686
Village council shall meet at a location to be determined. In 687
the event the results have not been certified by April 10, 2024, 688
the newly elected members shall meet on the following Tuesday. 689
The initial council shall have the authority a nd power to enter 690
into contracts, provide for necessary Village officers and 691
facilities and do such other things as it deems necessary and 692
appropriate for the Village. 693
(4) FIRST YEAR EXPENSES. —The council, in order to provide 694
moneys for the expenses and support of the Village, shall have 695
the power to borrow money necessary for the operation of 696
municipal government until such time as a budget is adopted and 697
revenues are raised in accordance with this charter. 698
(5) TRANSITIONAL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. — 699
(a) All applicable county ordinances currently in place at 700
the time of passage of the referendum, unless specifically 701
referenced in this charter, shall remain in place until and 702
unless rescinded by action of the council. Except that a county 703
ordinance, rule, or regulation that is in conflict with this 704
charter, or an ordinance, rule, or regulation of the Village 705
shall not be effective to the extent of such conflict. Any 706
existing Palm Beach County ordinances, rules, and regulations, 707
as of April 1, 2024, s hall not be altered, changed, rescinded, 708
or added to, nor shall any variance be granted, if such action 709
would affect the Village without the approval of the council. 710
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(b) The council shall adopt ordinances and resolutions 711
required to effect the transition . Ordinances adopted within 60 712
days after the first council meeting may be passed as emergency 713
ordinances. These transitional ordinances, passed as emergency 714
ordinances, shall be effective for no longer than 90 days after 715
adoption, and thereafter may be re adopted, renewed, or otherwise 716
continued only in the manner normally prescribed for ordinances. 717
(6) TRANSITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. —- 718
(a) Until such time as the Village adopts a comprehensive 719
plan, the applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Plan o f 720
Palm Beach County, as the same exists on the day the Village 721
commences corporate existence, shall remain in effect as the 722
Village's transitional comprehensive plan. However, except as 723
otherwise set forth herein, all planning functions, duties, and 724
authority shall thereafter be vested in the council which shall 725
be deemed the local planning agency until the council 726
establishes a separate local planning agency. This charter shall 727
not affect any of the rights and obligations, between and among 728
any persons, which have been and are established by or result 729
from any existing development orders in the area which are 730
identified in section 4 and as set forth in this section. 731
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of general law or 732
this charter, from the effectiv e date of this charter until 60 733
months subsequent to the date initial land development 734
regulations adopted by the Village pursuant to chapter 163, 735
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Florida Statutes, become final (the "transition period"), the 736
comprehensive plan and land development regulat ions of Palm 737
Beach County shall govern the issuance of all development orders 738
for a parcel or parcels of land located within or upon the lands 739
identified in Palm Beach County Zoning Resolution R -2019-0389 740
(April 4, 2019) (collectively, the "Property"), and during such 741
transition period all local government development orders and 742
development permits associated with such Property shall be 743
administered and issued by Palm Beach County pursuant to county 744
development regulations, unless an affected landowner 745
voluntarily elects to subject the Property, in whole or in part, 746
to the Village's comprehensive plan and land development 747
regulations; provided, however, that neither the gross 748
residential density nor the gross non -residential intensities 749
assigned to the Prope rty by County Zoning Resolution R -2019-0389 750
shall be increased by an owner thereof without first obtaining 751
the approval of the council. The Village shall enter into any 752
agreement as may be necessary with Palm Beach County to 753
effectuate the provisions of th is section 10(7)(b) 754
Notwithstanding any provision of law or this charter, no 755
amendment to this section 10(7)(b) relating to the Property 756
during the transition period shall be operative without an 757
ordinance adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than f our 758
members of the council and an affirmative vote of a majority of 759
the registered electors of the Village. 760
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(c) The Village shall not annex any development parcel 761
(Pod) identified on the approved Master Plan as amended for the 762
Property prior to Palm Beac h County issuing a building permit 763
for such Pod. Annexation shall follow the procedures provided in 764
s. 171.0413, Florida Statutes, as amended. The Village may annex 765
a Pod at the request of the owner or owners thereof, as provided 766
in s. 171.044, Florida Sta tutes. Notwithstanding any provision 767
of law or this charter, no amendment to this section 10(7)(c) 768
shall be operative without an ordinance adopted by the 769
affirmative vote of not less than four members of the council 770
and an affirmative vote of a majority of the registered electors 771
of the Village. 772
(7) TRANSITIONAL LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS. — To 773
implement the transitional comprehensive land use plan when 774
adopted, the Village shall, in accordance with the procedures 775
required by the laws of the state, adopt ordinances providing 776
for land use development regulations within the corporate 777
limits. Until the Village adopts ordinances, the following shall 778
apply: 779
(a) The comprehensive land use plan and land use 780
development regulations of Palm Beach County, as the same exists 781
on the date that the Village commenced corporate existence, 782
shall remain in effect as the Village's transitional land use 783
development regulations and comprehensive land use plan. 784
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(b) All powers and duties of the Palm Beach County Growth 785
Management and Building Departments, the Palm Beach County 786
Special Magistrate, and Board of County Commissioners of Palm 787
Beach County, as provided in these transitional land use 788
development regulations, shall be vested in the council until 789
such time as the coun cil delegates all powers and duties, or a 790
portion thereof, to another agency, department, or entity. 791
(c) Subsequent to the adoption of a local comprehensive 792
land use plan and subject to general law, the council is fully 793
empowered to amend, supersede, enf orce, or repeal the 794
transitional land use development regulations, or any portion 795
thereof, by ordinance. 796
(d) Subsequent to the commencement of the Village's 797
corporate existence, an amendment of the comprehensive land use 798
plan or land use development regu lations enacted by the Board of 799
County Commissioners of Palm Beach County shall not be deemed an 800
amendment of the Village's transitional comprehensive land use 801
plan or land use development regulations or otherwise take 802
effect within the Village's municipal boundaries. 803
(8) STATE SHARED REVENUES. —The Village shall be entitled 804
to participate in all revenue sharing programs of the state 805
effective April 1, 2024. The provisions of s. 218.23(1), Florida 806
Statutes, shall be waived for the purpose of eligibility to 807
receive revenue sharing funds from the date of incorporation 808
through the fiscal year 2024 -2025. For purposes of complying 809
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with s. 218.23(1), Florida Statutes, relating to ad valorem 810
taxation, the millage levied by special districts may be used 811
for an indefinite period of time. Initial population estimates 812
for calculating eligibility for shared revenues shall be 813
determined by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and 814
Business Research. Should the bureau be unable to provide an 815
appropriate population estimate, the Palm Beach County Planning 816
Division estimate should be utilized. 817
(9) LOCAL REVENUE SOURCES. —The Village shall be entitled 818
to receive all local revenue sources available pursuant to 819
general law, including but not limited to local communicat ions 820
services tax imposed under s. 202.19, Florida Statutes. The 821
local communication services tax rate imposed by Palm Beach 822
County will continue within the Village boundaries during the 823
period commencing with the date of incorporation through January 824
1, 2025. Revenues from the tax shall be shared by Palm Beach 825
County with the Village in proportion to the projected village 826
population estimate of the Palm Beach County Planning Division 827
compared with the unincorporated population of Palm Beach County 828
before the incorporation of the Village. 829
(10) LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX REVENUES .—Notwithstanding the 830
requirements of s. 336.025, Florida Statutes, to the contrary, 831
the Village shall be entitled to receive local option gas tax 832
revenues beginning December 31, 2023. Th e amount of said 833
revenues distributed to the Village shall be in accordance with 834
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general law, Palm Beach County ordinance, or interlocal 835
agreement negotiated with the Board of County Commissioners of 836
Palm Beach County. 837
(11) CONTRACTUAL SERVICES AND FACI LITIES.—Contractual 838
services for law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency management, 839
public works, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, 840
building inspection, development review, animal control, library 841
services, village manager or management firm, Vil lage attorney, 842
and solid waste collection may be supplied by a contract between 843
the Village and the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach 844
County, special districts, municipalities, or private enterprise 845
until such time as the council establishes such independent 846
services. However, existing solid waste contracts shall be 847
honored as required by s. 165.061(1)(f), Florida Statutes, and 848
Article I, section 10 of the State Constitution. Facilities for 849
housing the newly formed municipal operations may be rent ed or 850
leased until the Village selects more permanent facilities. 851
Section 11. Continuation, merger, and dissolution of 852
existing districts.— 853
(1) PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING 854
UNIT.–Notwithstanding the incorporation of the Vill age of 855
Loxahatchee, that portion of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue 856
Municipal Service Taxing Unit, a special taxing district created 857
by the Palm Beach County Commission that lies within the 858
boundaries of the Village of Loxahatchee, is authorized to 859
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continue in existence, until the Village adopts an ordinance to 860
the contrary. 861
(2) LAW ENFORCEMENT .—Law enforcement services shall 862
continue to be provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's 863
Office until the village adopts an ordinance or resolution or 864
enters into an interlocal agreement to the contrary. 865
(3) PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY TAXING DISTRICT .—-866
Notwithstanding the incorporation of the Village of Loxahatchee, 867
that portion of the Palm Beach County Library Taxing District, a 868
dependent district of Palm Beach County codified by chapter 869
2000-405, Laws of Florida, that lies within the boundaries of 870
the Village, is authorized but not required to continue in 871
existence. 872
(4) INDIAN TRAIL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. —-The Indian Trail 873
Improvement District, an independent special district created by 874
a special act of the Legislature, is authorized to continue in 875
existence. Indian Trail Improvement District is authorized to 876
transfer certain District assets to the Village of Loxahatchee, 877
which assets shall become Village assets upon transfer. Indian 878
Trail Improvement District is authorized to transfer non -ad 879
valorem assessments for maintenance and improvements related to 880
those assets it transfers to the Village. 881
(a) The assets, liabilities, and written contracts of the 882
Indian Trail Improvement District, including all rights, 883
obligations, duties, and relationships n ow existing by law or 884
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agreement, shall be unaffected and shall remain in full force 885
and effect and shall be those of the District except as 886
transferred to the Village of Loxahatchee. 887
(b) The Indian Trail Improvement District shall continue 888
to be responsible for the levy and collection of debt service 889
and maintenance assessments for Unit of Development No. 18, also 890
known as Madison Green, for the purpose of paying the 891
outstanding bonded indebtedness under the Indian Trail 892
Improvement District Water Contro l and Improvement Bonds Unit of 893
Development No. 18. Series 2015, and for the purpose of 894
maintaining the works of the District within Unit of Development 895
No. 18. This responsibility shall terminate on August 1, 2031, 896
when the bonds are fully paid. Effective August 1, 2031, Unit of 897
Development No. 18 shall be removed from the boundaries of the 898
Indian Trail Improvement District, and no longer be the 899
responsibility of the District. 900
(c) To the extent not inconsistent with this charter, all 901
resolutions, and pol icies of the Indian Trail Improvement 902
District shall remain in effect until amended, revised, or 903
repealed by the District. 904
Section 12. General provisions.— 905
(1) CODE OF ETHICS. —It is essential to the proper conduct 906
and operation of the Village that t he officers and employees of 907
the Village be independent and impartial and for their offices 908
not to be used for private gain other than the remuneration 909
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provided by law or by ordinances. It is declared to be the 910
policy of the Village that its officers and e mployees are agents 911
of the people and hold their positions for the benefit of the 912
public. Therefore, all Village officers and employees shall 913
adhere to the standards of conduct as provided in part III of 914
chapter 112, Florida Statutes, and other applicable general law. 915
(2) CHARTER AMENDMENTS. —This charter may be amended in 916
accordance with the provisions for charter amendments as 917
specified in the Municipal Home Rule Powers Act, chapter 166, 918
Florida Statutes, as the same may be amended from time to time, 919
or its successor, or as may otherwise be provided by general 920
law. The form, content, and certification of any petition to 921
amend shall be established by ordinance. 922
(3) SEVERABILITY.—If any provisions of this act, or the 923
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held 924
invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or 925
applications of this act which can be given effect without the 926
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions 927
of this act are declared severable. 928
(4) ELIMINATION OF TRANSITIONAL ELEMENTS FROM THIS 929
CHARTER.—Upon completion of the transitional phase provided in 930
this charter, the sections of the charter relating to transition 931
may be eliminated from this charter. 932
(5) WAIVER.—The thresholds established by s. 165.061, 933
Florida Statues, for incorporation have been met with the 934
HB 1113 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1113-00
Page 39 of 39
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
following exception: a waiver is granted to the provisions of s. 935
165.061(1)(d), Florida Statutes, relating to the requirement of 936
having a minimum distance of 2 miles from the boundaries of an 937
existing municipality. 938
Section 13. This act shall take effect only upon its 939
approval by a majority vote of those qualified electors residing 940
within the proposed corporate limits of the proposed Village of 941
Loxahatchee as described in section 4, voti ng in a referendum 942
election to be called by the Palm Beach County Commission and to 943
be held on November 7, 2023 , in accordance with the provisions 944
of law relating to elections currently in force, except that 945
section 10(1) and this section shall take effe ct upon becoming a 946
law. If approved by the electorate, section 10(2) and section 947
10(3) shall take effect immediately upon certification of the 948
election results by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of 949
Elections. 950