Incorporation

During University of Central Florida's Town Hall meetings, the UCF team described the process that is followed by municipalities becoming cities:

   (1) UCF produces a report with both a feasibility assessment of the costs and benefits of incorporation and a proposed charter for a new city government ~ Nov/Dec 2009
   (2) The results will be presented to the local legislative delegation, who will decide whether to recommend incorporation to the full Florida legislature
   (3) Assuming the recommendation is positive, the study is presented to a legislative staff for review and approval, prior to forwarding the study results to the full legislature
   (4) If the legislature votes affirmatively, the incorporation legislation is forwarded to the Governor for signature
   (5) At this point, the proposal is sent to the citizens of the area in the form of a referendum for their approval. The earliest such a vote could occur would be September/October 2010.
   (6) If the voters approve the proposal, a city government would be formed and elections would be held for city officials.

Both meetings were well attended, filling the large conference room at the Community Center. The photo alongside shows the principal contributors from UCF who made presenta-tions at the first meeting. From the left, 2 graduate student contributors to the study, then Dr. Xiaohu Wang, Associate Professor at UCF, responsible for financial analysis, then Ms. Marilyn Crotty, Director of the UCF Institiute of Government, managing the study, then Dr. Thomas Bryer, Assistant Professor at UCF, responsible for community interface, followed by a graduate student, and finally Ms. Teresa Jacobs, a staff member at UCF and former Commisioner of Orange County.

This subject is expected to create a great deal of controversy, concerning services that might be obtained from such an arrangement vs. the additional taxes it might create. The UCF team emphasized that they are completely unbiased regarding the study outcome - their job is to produce the facts regarding costs and benefits which may (or may not) lead to the decision to make Poinciana into a city form of government.

Dr. Bryer volunteered to meet with interested groups to help ensure that all residents have the opportunity to learn more about their study.

The Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) contracted with the Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida to conduct a study on the feasibility of incorporating Poinciana as a City. Two Town Hall meetings were held in February at Poinciana Community Center to explain the details of the study to Poinciana residents and seek feedback.

Study to Incorporate Poinciana
Latest Status: Study Completed, released to public and
legislators

Poinciana Residents for Smart Change

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