FL H0153

Creates an independent special district in each county (by ordinance) with boundaries coterminous with the county to provide countywide funding for senior services for persons 60 years of age or older.

Authorizes ad valorem tax levy not to exceed 0.5 mills on assessed property values, subject to majority voter approval in a county referendum.

Establishes a 10-member governing council consisting of 4 permanent positions (area agency on aging director, county social services director, DCFS Adult Services director, and Department of Health administrator), 2 county-appointed members, and 4 Governor-appointed members representing cultural diversity with at least one senior member.

Requires the council to identify senior needs, develop service plans, prepare annual budgets and quarterly financial reports, maintain meeting minutes, and provide an annual report to the county governing body by January 1.

Allows districts to enter cooperative agreements to share costs and jointly fund programs; prohibits councils from requiring service providers to contribute matching funds and directs that collected funds supplement rather than substitute for existing senior services.