On August 24, 2020, The Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance 2020-26 creating the American Beach Water and Sewer District.  Section 2 (B) of 2020-26 declares the district as a dependent special district, which carries with it certain reporting requirements as defined by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.  These requirements include the designation of a registered agent and registered office. 

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's definition of a registered agent is as follows:

A registered agent is an agent of the special district upon whom any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the special district may be served. The registered agent must be an individual resident of Florida whose business address is the same as the special district's registered office. The registered office does not have to be the special district's place of business.

As outlined in ordinance 2020-26 section 4 (H, I, and K) the American Beach Water and Sewer District Governing Board, defined as the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners in 2020-26 section 3, may:

• Borrow money or issue debt to construct, acquire or install water/sewer systems

• Levy and assess non-ad valorem assessments within the district for the cost of operations, maintenance and principal & interest on debt issued

• Fix, levy, and collect rates, fees, special assessments and other charges to persons or property for the use of the facilities and services provided by the water/sewer system

Furthermore, the creation of the dependent special district provides for the ability to apply for grants, state revolving funds and other federal/state programs to offset the cost  to property owners in the district of hooking into the utility system.