There are many special districts within the State of Florida. The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is one of the more than 1,800 active special districts that provide services. However, many Floridians do not understand what a special district is, and its role in the community.
Special districts have four common characteristics. They are a form of government; they are governed by a board; they provide services and facilities; and they have defined boundaries.
Unlike cities and counties that are general purpose governments and perform a broad array of services to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all their citizens, special districts are limited purpose local governments and provide only the specific services for which they were created. They are good examples of democracy at work because they provide services the public requires and only those receiving the services pay an assessment, fee or tax.
Special districts have the legislative authority to provide the required facilities to complete the work they were created for. For example, constructing public works projects such as canals and water control structures. They have the taxing authority to raise money to pay for these projects as well as their maintenance and operation. However, special districts rarely have regulatory authority to enact laws or ordinances for a common public goal. For example, water restrictions which are imposed to reduce the public’s use, are under the authority of the South Florida Water Management District, a state agency.
Most special districts are single purpose Districts. This is true for the LWDD whose sole function is to provide drainage for the landowners within its boundary. Others, such as the Indian Trail Improvement District provide several services in addition to drainage, like road construction and recreational facilities. Special districts can further be identified as dependent or independent. LWDD is an independent district because its governing board is elected by the landowners within its boundary and not appointed by another government entity as in the case of the Housing Finance Authority of Palm Beach County.
LWDD is authorized by legislation to assess its landowners for the flood control services it provides. In 2023, the assessment is a non-ad valorem fee of $49.50 per one acre or portion thereof. The acre assessment provides that all landowners within the LWDD boundary pay a share that is weighted to the quantity of land that receives drainage services. For example, the average single-family resident pays $49.50 a year whereas an agricultural business may pay several hundred times that amount.
It is common for drainage districts to elect board members by a ‘one acre one vote’ method. This is different than a ‘one person one vote’ method used by cities and counties. The acre-vote system ensures landowners who have a greater stake in the drainage services received also have a greater say. This is like owning stock shares in a company. The more stock you own, in this case land, the more votes you cast. Because LWDD provides only the single purpose service of drainage, it is reasonable that the number of votes cast be comparable to the amount of assessment paid and quantity of land owned.
Special districts have been a part of our government history for hundreds of years. Benjamin Franklin established the first special district on December 7, 1736, when he created the Union Fire Company of Philadelphia, a volunteer fire department. Residents in a certain neighborhood paid a fee to receive fire protection services. Soon, many volunteer fire departments formed throughout Philadelphia. This prompted Franklin to boast that his city had the best fire service in the world.
You can learn more about the governance role of LWDD at our website at www.lwdd.net.
What Is A Special District?
/in NewsThere are many special districts within the State of Florida. The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is one of the more than 1,800 active special districts that provide services. However, many Floridians do not understand what a special district is, and its role in the community.
Special districts have four common characteristics. They are a form of government; they are governed by a board; they provide services and facilities; and they have defined boundaries.
Unlike cities and counties that are general purpose governments and perform a broad array of services to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all their citizens, special districts are limited purpose local governments and provide only the specific services for which they were created. They are good examples of democracy at work because they provide services the public requires and only those receiving the services pay an assessment, fee or tax.
Special districts have the legislative authority to provide the required facilities to complete the work they were created for. For example, constructing public works projects such as canals and water control structures. They have the taxing authority to raise money to pay for these projects as well as their maintenance and operation. However, special districts rarely have regulatory authority to enact laws or ordinances for a common public goal. For example, water restrictions which are imposed to reduce the public’s use, are under the authority of the South Florida Water Management District, a state agency.
Most special districts are single purpose Districts. This is true for the LWDD whose sole function is to provide drainage for the landowners within its boundary. Others, such as the Indian Trail Improvement District provide several services in addition to drainage, like road construction and recreational facilities. Special districts can further be identified as dependent or independent. LWDD is an independent district because its governing board is elected by the landowners within its boundary and not appointed by another government entity as in the case of the Housing Finance Authority of Palm Beach County.
LWDD is authorized by legislation to assess its landowners for the flood control services it provides. In 2023, the assessment is a non-ad valorem fee of $49.50 per one acre or portion thereof. The acre assessment provides that all landowners within the LWDD boundary pay a share that is weighted to the quantity of land that receives drainage services. For example, the average single-family resident pays $49.50 a year whereas an agricultural business may pay several hundred times that amount.
It is common for drainage districts to elect board members by a ‘one acre one vote’ method. This is different than a ‘one person one vote’ method used by cities and counties. The acre-vote system ensures landowners who have a greater stake in the drainage services received also have a greater say. This is like owning stock shares in a company. The more stock you own, in this case land, the more votes you cast. Because LWDD provides only the single purpose service of drainage, it is reasonable that the number of votes cast be comparable to the amount of assessment paid and quantity of land owned.
Special districts have been a part of our government history for hundreds of years. Benjamin Franklin established the first special district on December 7, 1736, when he created the Union Fire Company of Philadelphia, a volunteer fire department. Residents in a certain neighborhood paid a fee to receive fire protection services. Soon, many volunteer fire departments formed throughout Philadelphia. This prompted Franklin to boast that his city had the best fire service in the world.
You can learn more about the governance role of LWDD at our website at www.lwdd.net.
Adjacent To A Canal – Time To Take Action
/in Flood Control, NewsMany people in southeastern Palm Beach County live adjacent to a Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canal. To enhance their backyard, residents look to install landscape materials or structures such as swing-sets and fences. Often without realizing it, these enhancements are installed on LWDD’s rights-of-way which is publicly managed land used for flood control operations.
Effective flood control depends on LWDD’s extensive network of canals to move stormwater away from homes after major weather events. This is especially true during hurricane season. Vegetation and other structures on the canal rights-of-way can severely hinder LWDD’s ability to keep residents safe during and after severe storms. Trees and large shrubs can topple over in high winds blocking emergency access along the canal bank or fall into the canal channel blocking the flow of water. A blocked canal channel not only endangers the residents adjacent to the canal but also individuals living miles inland.
Maintaining water flow within the canal channel and access along the right-of-way is vital for public safety. It requires daily maintenance by LWDD crews as well as the removal of identified encroachments. LWDD encourages adjacent property owners to act before storm season – June 1. Clear vegetation and remove unauthorized encroachments from the canal right-of-way. Additionally, residents should evaluate landscaping and structures on their private property that may pose a potential flooding threat.
If you live adjacent to a canal and need help identifying the property boundary, contact LWDD’s staff at info@lwdd.net and help us help you to become storm ready.
That’s A Good Question
/in Flood Control, News, Water ConservationWhy doesn’t the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) keep the canal water elevations lower in preparation for the storm season? Seems like a good idea, but the LWDD network of canals does more than provide drainage for flood control. LWDD’s water management system helps to protect regional water supplies for all the residents, businesses and agricultural land within its boundary.
During normal operations, canal water levels are maintained to hold water higher than sea level to prevent saltwater from encroaching and polluting existing freshwater wells for numerous municipal water utilities. Once polluted with saltwater the well can no longer be used for drinking water supplies and alternative sources will be needed.
LWDD’s water managers are continually monitoring weather systems and canal levels to proactively respond to heavy rainfall events. In anticipation of a heavy rainfall event, the LWDD water control structures are opened to maintain appropriate water levels in the system for flood control. However, this operation must consider the potential environmental risks. As control structure gates are opened, water is discharged to the ocean and cannot be recovered for water supply. These freshwater discharges may also adversely impact environmentally sensitive areas such as the Lake Worth Lagoon.
For these reasons, drainage is often referred to as a balancing act between flood control protection and supply needs. LWDD has over 100 years of experience in the operation of stormwater management within our boundary. To learn more about LWDD’s water management function, visit our website at www.lwdd.net.
Flood Control – Need to Know
/in Flood Control, NewsFlood control does not equal flood proof. Heavy rainfall in a short period may result in flooding, even with a well-engineered and maintained system. Residents can prepare for potential flooding by storing items in waterproof containers 6 inches or more from the ground, moving cars from lower to higher ground if flooding is expected and keeping storm drains clear of trash and vegetative debris.
Water leaves your neighborhood through an interconnected 3-tiered system:
When a neighborhood pond discharges water to LWDD, it does so through a discharge control structure. Whether the control structure is in the open or closed position, excess water will continue to drain from the pond until the proper water elevation is achieved.
LWDD is unique in that we are the only drainage district in the area authorized by the SFWMD to permit the emergency opening of discharge control structures by communities. This authorization is given before a weather event to increase capacity in a stormwater pond. Coordinating this operation with the community is an important part of flood control.
LWDD works closely with property managers and community boards to manage potential flooding. However, residents should note that some standing water in roads, sidewalks and yards is normal and required to keep flood water away from homes.
Residents should first report flooding issues to their property manager because the situation may have already been identified and addressed. Additionally, residents can provide storm damage reports and flooding issues online at lwdd.net/storm-response.
Capital Improvement Project Update
/in Flood Control, NewsControl Structure 9 is located within the C. Stanley Weaver Canal at the Lawrence Road Bridge. This critical flood control structure is undergoing a complete restoration including installation of submersible pumps, new radial gates, and SCADA/telemetry equipment for the automated operation of the structure. When completed in mid-2023, the refurbished structure will provide enhanced flood control for thousands of residents.