It is the intent of the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to establish an Administrative Regulation for the purpose of public safety and to provide duly accredited private schools the ability to have private traffic control devices installed in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) latest edition. The total costs associated with the installation of the traffic control device shall be borne by special assessments levied against the benefiting property.

The Board of County Commissioners finds that pursuant to the authority of Sections 316.006 (3) and (4), Florida Statutes, that a valid public purpose (public safety) and function is served by the expenditure of public funds to effectuate the provision of this Administrative Regulation.

The following is intended to outline the procedures of the Board of County Commissioners with respect to placement of County installed private traffic control devices.

1. On an annual basis, the Board of County Commissioners will budget funds for the purpose of administering this program. The actual cost incurred by the County will be documented and presented to the BOCC annually to define budgetary needs.
2. Request for Private Traffic Control Device(s). The Department of Public Works must be approached by an official representative of the duly accredited private school with a completed Request Application. The application must include location(s), type of device requested and authorization from the school. The signature of the property owner of record, as shown in the official records of Citrus County, is required on the application.
3. Preliminary Inspection and approval by the The Director of Public Works or his designee shall review and may approve the application for private traffic control devices.
4. Non-Refundable Escrow Deposit. Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dollars must be submitted with the application to cover preliminary costs associated with County staff time.
5. Application Review. The Assessment Coordinator or designee will review the application to identify and verify the name(s) and address(es) of property owner(s).
6. Preliminary Inspection and Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost. The Director of Public Works or designee will determine the eligibility of the project and if eligible, will prepare a Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost.
7. Board Approval. Upon successful completion of the above, the Director of Public Works or designee will present the project to the Board of County Commissioners. Upon the Board’s approval of the project, the Citrus County Department of Public Works or a private contractor under contract to the County shall provide all work and material to install the private traffic control device(s). The standards for construction will be in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, latest edition.
8. Ownership, maintenance, and liability. Ownership, maintenance, and liability rest solely with the applicant. If a private traffic control device is stolen or damaged, and the applicant desires replacement, replacement can be provided upon applicant’s submittal of the full replacement cost as determined by Public Works staff. Board approval is not be necessary for replacement private traffic control devices.

FUNDING:

Upon final installation of private traffic control devices, a special assessment(s) will be established against the benefited property, and a lien placed by the County on the benefited property. The lien will be recorded in the Public Records of Citrus County, Florida to assure payment of the assessment by the property owner(s). A Benefited Property Owner(s) shall have two (2) payment options:

Option (1): Pay the assessment in full without interest or penalties, at the Office of the Clerk of the Court within 30 days of adoption of a resolution by the Board at the final public hearing. A bill will be mailed after this hearing.

Option (2): Automatic placement on an annual installment payment program. Under this option, the special assessment must be paid in seven (7) equal annual installments together with interest at current interest rates, and administrative fees of 6% of the annual installment payment (2% for Tax Collector, 2% for Property Appraiser and 2% for County Administrative fee). This installment payment will appear on the annual tax bill and will be collected in the same manner as ad valorem taxes. Please note that failure to pay any installment when due may cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which, if not redeemed by the property owner, may result in the loss of title at a tax deed sale as prescribed in Chapter 197, Florida Statutes.