Special District Funding

All text and legal provisions related to downtown development districts, including their creation, boundary changes, ad valorem tax authority, and budget requirements, were deleted.

The definition of 'rural community' was expanded to explicitly include municipalities, special districts, and independent water/wastewater districts located in rural areas of opportunity.

New provisions require state agencies to expedite invoice payments to rural counties, municipalities, and special districts that demonstrate financial hardship.

The eligibility criteria for receiving expedited payments now specifically target rural communities and special districts within them, replacing the previous focus on downtown revitalization.

Added a new definition for 'downtown development district' as a special district created to plan and revitalize specific downtown areas in large municipalities.

Authorized downtown development districts to levy an ad valorem tax of up to 0.475 mill on real and personal property within the district to finance operations.

Required downtown development district budgets to identify specific projects, costs, and timelines, with administrative and overhead expenditures capped at 10% of the total budget.

Mandated that budget amendments be approved by a majority vote of the municipality's governing body.

Renumbered the existing downtown development district statute from 189.056 to 189.0211.

Revised the bill title and summary to reflect the addition of the new downtown development district provisions.