Questions about Baymeadows CID

How did the BCID Legislation and Assessments get developed and who participated?

The assessments have been determined based on potential revenue needs for maintenance and capital improvements as noted within the Engineering Study commissioned by the Baymeadows Community Council vs. the number and type of membership into the BCID (THs, Single Family, Apts, and Commercial, etc.). The assessments, category types and everything else about the BCID has been a combination of many years of discussion, research, analysis and input by lots of Baymeadows Community leaders over the past 10 years who have been interested in its creation. As a result of those discussions, the drafted documents that you now see are a result of all of those efforts in hopes that proposed legislation to create the BCID can be initiated. While nothing is ever perfect and without opposition of some sort (especially when you are taking about assessments), this is where the BCID has landed.

What is the criteria for membership into the BCID?

The criteria for membership to the BCID is simple: Your property requires the use of Baymeadows Circle East or Baymeadows Circle West (major spine roads of the community) to access your property or your property utilizes the storm-water and drainage system or both.

How are the Assessments determined to be fair and justified?

Rizzetta and Company is a Florida-based professional community management and consulting firm that provides services to residential and commercial communities throughout the state of Florida. With over 30 years in the industry, Rizzetta and Company are also professionals in helping Community Development District’s (CDD) in their management of administrative and financial duties which is how the BCID will operate. As justification of the methodology used within the BCID for types of memberships and assessments, it was the Baymeadows Community Council’s initiative that partnered with them to provide for their “Rizzetta Feasibility Study*”. This feasibility study will provide for an evaluation and analysis of the BCID’s needs vs. revenue and an analysis resulting in the validation and justification of those calculations.

* DISCLAIMER: An estimated assessment analysis of the proposed Capital Improvement Program provided by INTERA, Inc. and the proposed products to benefit from the CIP is included with this report based on the information provided. These are preliminary assumptions only, and Rizzetta & Company, Inc. makes no recommendation of the allocation of assessments nor did we confirm the information provided. These assessment levels should not be assumed to be final nor should they be assumed to be the levels that would be assigned if bonds are issued by the District. These tables are simply provided to identify a method to allocate costs and assessments. If it is determined that the CIP benefits certain products only or portions of the CIP benefits certain products to a greater extent, then the allocation would be adjusted accordingly.

Why won’t the City of Jacksonville take over our community’s public infrastructure assets?

The neighborhood has been told an emphatic “NO” over the years, by the City of Jacksonville that the Baymeadows Community roads or storm-water and drainage systems will not be assumed for the responsibility by the city for repair and future maintenance. The process for which neighborhood’s infrastructure is constructed and accepted by the city was not developed and turned over to the city for acceptance as required and described in the Neighborhood Development Standards of the City’s Ordinance Code.

As noted under Roadway Maintenance on the Public Works website, https://www.coj.net/departments/public-works/right-of-way-and-grounds-maintenance/roadway-maintenance the process is described as follows:

The Right of Way and stormwater Maintenance (RWSM) Division maintains roads that have been formally accepted for maintenance, either by the Duval County government or the consolidated City of Jacksonville.

Roads are on rights of way (ROW).  ROW that is open for public access is dedicated to the city through a plat.  Plats are recorded with the Duval County Clerk of Court and kept by the city’s Topographical/Survey section for historical record.  Chapter 117.081(3), Florida Statutes, explains that a right of way dedicated to the city does not obligate the city to maintain it.

When land is developed and road(s) established, the developer has the option to build the road to city standard, then apply for the city to accept it.

If the road is not built to city standard, and/or if the developer doesn’t request acceptance by the city, then the city holds no responsibility for maintaining the road or its associated drainage system.  These roads are generically referred to as “private,” but some are technically unmaintained city rights of way.

New residents/neighborhoods claim they have no benefit?

First, everyone uses Baymeadows Circle East and/or Baymeadows Circle West for accessing their property. Second, every neighborhood old or new, storm-water and drainage system is integrated together. Third, new neighborhoods including Meadow Walk, Baypointe South, Baypointe North, Mallard Creek, Terrance Pines, Alden Landing, all of these communities Public Infrastructure, while new, will become the responsibility of the BCID. This means, the expense that they are now paying or will be paying into their HOA fees for the accrual into their reserves for these assets, will be “transferred” over to the BCID. Basically netting “a wash” for those expenses and eliminating the general liability from the community of those assets.

Every new community’s storm-water system is integrated into the overall 50+ year old system of the entire community. If that system fails, their system will fail. Yes, like everyone else, for the primary roads and the overall storm-water and drainage system, which EVERYONE USES, these assets will include an additional expense for the future repair and maintain of those assets.

Yes, everyone has the responsibility and interest for the primary roads and the overall storm water & drainage system that is shared. These assets if not protected and maintained, will be a liability and will affect everyone’s property values and quality of life.

How can I show support for the BCID?

It is vital that the BCID have the support of the community. While no one should be under the illusion that everyone will think that this is a great idea, it is important that for those who do, SHOW IT! 

First, send All Council Members a Supportive Email at:

Bowman, Aaron ABowman@coj.net; Boylan, Michael MBoylan@coj.net; Carlucci, Matthew MCarlucci@coj.net; Carrico, Kevin KCarrico@coj.net; DeFoor, Randle RDefoor@coj.net; Diamond, Rory RDiamond@coj.net; Dennis, Garrett GarrettD@coj.net; Ferraro, Albert Ferraro@coj.net; Freeman, Terrance TFreeman@coj.net; Gaffney, Reginald RGaffney@coj.net; Danford, Joyce JoyceMorgan@coj.net; Newby, Samuel SNewby@coj.net; Pittman, JuCoby JPittman@coj.net; Jackson, Brenda BPJackson@coj.net; Salem, Ronald RSalem@coj.net; White, Randy RandyWhite@coj.net; Danny Becton DBecton@coj.net

Second, talk to your neighbors. Communicate to them the importance of the BCID to the Quality of Life, Security and Safety of the neighborhood and the Protection of Property Values for which the BCID will protect. Get them to email their support as well. 

Third, once the bill is filed, BE PREPARED to speak at any Public Hearings for the Bill to City Council. Your VOICE will be IMPORTANT to having this legislation passed. Without it, those who Oppose will only be heard.

Check Back as More Q&A Will be added.