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Volume 20, Issue 2 February 2018
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FASU Changes Its Name
Scott McClelland, CDM Smith
The Florida Association of Stormwater Utilities (FASU) was organized in 1993. Its mission centered primarily on furthering and protecting the ability of local governments to implement user fees as a mechanism to fund part of the costs related to flood protection and water quality improvement. Over time, it became clear that the Association's purpose was expanding to include many more issues beyond stormwater finance. In 2002 after a long-range planning process and lengthy debate within the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, the membership approved a recommendation to change the Association's name to the Florida Stormwater Association - recognizing its broad focus on general stormwater management in addition to stormwater finance. The change in name was one of the more significant milestones during the past 25 years and facilitated many more local government, special district and private sector members joining FSA and realizing member benefits.
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25th Anniversary of FSA!
1993-2018
Join stormwater professionals from around Florida this June 13-15th at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort in beautiful Fort Myers as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Association! FSA members are being given advance opportunity to beat the crowd:
Register now or visit the
Conference Webpage to view all of the details including the agenda, fees, hotel information and more. Discounted, Early Bird registration rates are available until April 13th - so register now for great savings. See you in June!
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| Board Elections Coming in June |
There will be elections to fill vacancies on the Boards of Directors of the
Florida Stormwater Association and the
FSA Educational Foundation during the June Annual Conference. FSA is looking for dynamic leaders dedicated to ensuring the continued success of the Association. This is your chance to help lead the primary organization dedicated to furthering the stormwater management profession and water quality improvement programs in Florida. What's in it for you?
- An opportunity to enhance the value and set the direction of FSA and FSAEF
- A significant role in advancing your profession and water quality programs
- Access to up-to-date information about the challenges facing your profession
- The chance to exchange ideas and perspectives with other volunteer leaders
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Florida's 60-day Regular Session is scheduled to end on Friday, March 9th. While 2018 has been relatively quiet in terms of legislation concerning water quality when compared to previous years, remember that over half of all legislation adopted typically passes in the last 48 hours of a Session. So, there's still plenty of time to consider and pass legislation for 2018! Information on legislation of interest to the Association's membership is posted to the Legislative (members only) Page of the FSA website. The page includes information on the impacts of a bill, its location in the legislative process, contact information on the bill's sponsor and the membership of its next committee of reference, etc. Information on Florida's Constitutional Revision Commission is also included for 2018.
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Florida's Constitution provides that Constitutional Revision Commissions (CRCs) are appointed every 20 years. Two hearings (
Cape Coral and
St. Petersburg) remain on the
2018 CRC's schedule of statewide hearings on the 37 measures that are being actively considered. The CRC must submit its Final Report to the Florida Secretary of State by May 10, 2018. Amendments proposed by the CRC to the Florida Constitution will appear on the November 2018 ballot and must be approved by 60% of the electorate to become effective. Special Note: FSA members are urged to closely monitor Proposal 95, designed to severely limit local regulatory powers. Although Proposal 95 was defeated in committee, CRC rules allow further consideration of the proposal by the full CRC by a majority vote. Visit the
Legislative (members only) Page of FSA's website for more information.
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| Webinar: Overview of the 2018 Legislative Session |
This March 15th webinar is brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences. The webinar will examine what was introduced, what passed and failed in 2018, and what might be returning for 2019. FSA's Legislative Committee Chair and Executive Director will review legislative actions on septic tanks, permitting requirements, reclaimed water, and measures to pre-empt the authority of local governments to enact regulatory measures on stormwater and other programs. Proposals of concern emerging from the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission will also be discussed. Register Today as space is running out quickly! We encourage members to save space by sharing a screen or watching the webinar together in a conference room. For those who miss the "live" broadcast, a recording of the webinar will be available for FSA members.
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On January 22, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that federal district courts - not federal circuit courts of appeal - must decide challenges to the 2015
Waters of the United States or "WOTUS" rule. Thereafter, EPA finalized its proposal to delay the effective date of the 2015 WOTUS rule by two years. Earlier in February, FSA's case in (federal) District Court in Florida was stayed for one year, leaving the challenge dormant but still alive in the event that EPA's rule delaying the effective date is rejected in court. Stay tuned!
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A circuit court has ruled that the Palm Beach County School District does not owe the City of West Palm Beach the stormwater utility fees that the City has been billing (and the School District not paying) for the past six years. The School District did not deny that it received benefit from the City's stormwater system but that state law exempts it from responsibility for payment. The City is planning on appealing the Circuit Court's decision to the Fourth District Court of Appeal; FSA will file a "Friend of the Court" brief in support of the City.
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| 2018 SWU Report - Surveys due March 1st! |
FSA has conducted a statewide
Stormwater Utility Survey every two years since 1995. The Survey examines practices and trends regarding rates, billing and collection methods, revenues collected and their use, staffing patterns, etc. Data for the 2018 Survey is being compiled now and the Final Report will be published in June 2018.
What's in it for you? The more Surveys that are returned, the better the data, and the more useful the information is to you and others throughout Florida. Plus, all jurisdictions that submit a Survey will receive a free copy of the Final Report! If you have a SWU, be sure that your Survey has been returned to FSA! Questions? Contact
Rhea Oaks at 888-221-3124.
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Excellence Awards - Nominations due March 2nd
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Each year, FSA's Awards Program recognizes outstanding stormwater programs or projects and the benefit that they provide to the environment and local citizenry. Awards are presented annually to public sector members who have demonstrated high quality distinctions in stormwater programs or projects. Don't let your hard work go unnoticed! Submit a Nomination Form and backup materials on or before March 2nd!
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| Fogarty Training Center Update |
FSA Stormwater Operator Certifications must be renewed every five years. A list of
renewal dates for certifications that expire in 2018 is on the FSA website. Recertifying is easy and can be done online! The next opportunity to renew either a
Level 1 or
Level 2 certification will be through online classes held on April 3, 2018. Be sure to
register by Friday, March 23rd.
For more information, visit the Fogarty Training Center's recertification webpage. Don't let your certifications expire!
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The FSA Educational Foundation's Scholarship Program awards financial assistance to qualified students attending Florida colleges and universities whose educational interest is in stormwater research, management or finance. Applications are accepted annually from graduate students in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields) that have an interest in stormwater quality, management or finance. Qualified applicants should submit an Application Form along with supporting materials by August 3, 2018.
FSAEF is a separate 501(C)(3) charitable foundation. Donations to the Scholarship Program can be made by local governments, corporations and individuals. Donations are tax deductible for individuals and are a business expense for corporations. Support your profession and its future leaders by contributing to the FSAEF Scholarship Program!
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We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if have any questions about FSA.
Sincerely,
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