M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Roger Coriat, Council Member - Seat 3
Date: July 20, 2016
Re: Support of Amendment 4: Lowering Energy Costs for Solar Power and Removing Barriers
REQUESTTitle
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF LOWERING ENERGY COSTS AND REMOVING BARRIERS FOR SOLAR POWER AND SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENT 4 ON THE AUGUST THIRTIETH PRIMARY BALLOT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Florida Legislature has passed legislation to create Amendment 4, which will appear on the August 30, 2016 primary ballot. Amendment 4 exempts renewable energy source devices, including solar systems, from the tangible personal property tax for a 20-year period, and additionally excludes the value of a renewable energy source device, including solar systems, from being considered in the assessed value of real property. This Amendment has received support from many private and public agencies, as well as county and municipal governments across the state of Florida.
At the October 21, 2015 Council meeting of the Town Council adopted Resolution No. 15-70, urging the Florida Legislature to remove barriers to customer-sited solar power. I urge my fellow Council Members to pass the attached Resolution expressing support for Amendment 4, which is in keeping with this goal.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution in support of lowering energy costs and removing barriers for solar power and support for Amendment 4 on the August 30, 2016 primary ballot.