Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners of Escambia County, Florida, will conduct a public hearing to consider the approval of the imposition and collection of a non­ad valorem special assessment against each private for-profit and not-for-profit hospital that provides inpatient hospital services and that holds a right of possession and right of use to real property in the County ( each, an "Assessed Property"). The assessment is intended to finance intergovernmental transfers provided consistent with federal guidelines that fund the non-federal share of certain Medicaid and/or Medicaid managed care payments, thus directly and specially benefitting Assessed Properties and supporting the provision of healthcare services to Medicaid, indigent, and uninsured members of the County's community. 

The hearing will be held at the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, located at 221 Palafox Place at 5 :34 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, on September 2, 2021. At that time, the Board will receive public comment on the proposed special assessment. 

An office designated by the County has prepared the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll being considered for approval. The roll contains the names of the Assessed Properties and the assessment rate and amount of the special assessment to be imposed against each Assessed Property. The Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll is available for inspection at the Office of Management and Budget. The assessment rate set forth in the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll to be levied against the gross patient revenue of each Assessed Property is 0.45%. 

At the date and time set forth in this notice, the Board of County Commissioners may: 
(1) approve the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll, with such amendments as it deems just and right; and (2) adopt a resolution (the "Assessment Resolution") that describes (a) the Medicaid payments proposed for funding from proceeds of the assessment, (b) the benefits to the Assessed Properties, ( c) the methodology for computing the assessed amounts, and ( d) the method of collection, including how and when the assessment is to be paid.

All interested persons have a right to appear at the hearing and to file written objections with the Board prior to the resolution vote. All objections to the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll being considered for approval must be made in writing, and filed with the County, at or before the vote. Written objections should be sent to the attention of the Office of Management and Budget. 

The amount of the assessment is to be collected pursuant an additional and alternative method, as specified in§ 197.3631, Fla. Stat., for the assessment and collection of the non-ad valorem special assessment. Details will be included in the Assessment Resolution. 

If you are a person with disability who needs any accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact County Administration at (850) 595-4900 at least three days prior to the public hearing if you need special accommodations. 

Escambia County, FLORIDA