FL H4103

Creates the Apalachicola Water and Sewer District as an independent special district in Franklin County to take over water and sewer operations from the City of Apalachicola

Establishes a 5-member governing board with 3 members appointed by the Governor, 1 by Franklin County Commission, and 1 by the City of Apalachicola; all members must be district residents and utility customers serving 4-year terms without compensation

Grants the district authority to purchase, construct, and operate water and sewer systems, issue revenue bonds, set rates and charges, exercise eminent domain, and accept federal loans and grants; prohibits the district from imposing ad valorem taxes

Requires the city and district to enter an interlocal agreement by July 1, 2026 (or 30 days after Governor's initial board appointments) to transfer water and sewer services; if no agreement is reached, the district has sole authority to determine transfer terms

Transfers all city-owned water and sewer property, assets, contracts, and liabilities to the district on December 1, 2026; current city employees providing these services become district employees with continued Florida Retirement System membership