What is the purpose of the Highland Meadows CDD II ?
A CDD is a special purpose form of local government created to serve the long-term specific needs of its
community. Created pursuant to chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes, a CDD’s main powers are to plan,
finance, construct, operate and maintain community-wide infrastructure and services specifically for the
benefit of its residents.
Specifically, a special district:
- Is a unit of local government (i.e., a collegial body with authority to govern public services and
facilities) created for a special-purpose
- Has jurisdiction to operate within limited geographical boundary
- Is created by general law, special act, local ordinance, or by rule of the Governor and Cabinet
- The Florida Legislature creates independent and dependent special districts by passing a
special act
- The Governor and Cabinet create independent community development districts larger than
1,000 acres and regional water supply authorities by passing a rule (Florida
Administrative Code)
- Municipalities and counties create special districts by passing a local ordinance
- General law authority creates certain types of special districts and allows counties and
municipalities to declare a need to use them by passing a resolution. In addition, other
general law authority authorizes counties and municipalities to establish special districts
What will the CDD Do?
Through a CDD, the community can offer its residents a broad range of community-related services
and infrastructure to help ensure the highest quality of life possible.
CDD responsibilities within our community may include storm water management, potable and irrigation
water supply, sewer and wastewater management, and streetlights.
How CDD’s Operate
A CDD is governed by its Board of Supervisors which is elected initially by the landowners, then begins
transitioning to being elected by registered voters within the CDD after six years of operation. After that
transition, like all municipal, county, state, and national elections, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections
oversees the vote. Like any other public official, CDD Supervisors are subject to state ethics and financial
disclosure laws.
The CDD’s business is conducted in the “Sunshine,” which means all meetings and records are open to the
public. Public hearings are held on CDD assessments and the CDD’s budget is subject to annual independent audit.
Benefits to Residents
Residents within a community with a CDD may expect to receive three major classes of benefits.
First, the CDD provides landowners consistently high levels of public facilities and services managed and
financed through self-imposed fees and assessments. Second, the CDD ensures that these community
development facilities and services will be completed concurrently with other parts of the development.
Third, CDD landowners and electors choose the Board of Supervisors, which is able to determine the type,
quality and expense of CDD facilities and services.
Other savings are realized because a CDD is subject to the same laws and regulations that apply to other
government entities. The CDD is able to borrow money to finance its facilities at lower, tax-exempt, interest
rates, the same as cities and counties. Many contracts for goods and services, such as annually negotiated
maintenance contracts, are subject to publicly advertised competitive bidding.
Residents and property owners in a CDD set the standards of quality, which are then managed by the
CDD. The CDD provides perpetual maintenance of the environmental conservation areas. This consistent
and quality-controlled method of management helps protect the long-term property values in a community.