Chapter 189 is the Florida Special District Accountability Act. While Chapter 190 creates CDDs and defines their powers, Chapter 189 provides the accountability framework that applies to all independent special districts in Florida, including CDDs.
What makes a CDD a "special district"
Under 189.012, a special district is a local unit of special-purpose government. CDDs are independent special districts because they have their own governing board (elected, not appointed by a county or city) and operate with fiscal independence. Every CDD is registered with the Department of Economic Opportunity's Special District Information Program.
The website mandate (189.069)
This is the section district managers encounter most often. Every independent special district must maintain an official website (189.069(1)). The website must include:
- The full legal name of the district
- The public purpose of the district
- The name, address, and contact information of the registered agent
- A description of the boundaries or service area
- A listing of all regularly scheduled public meetings
- Meeting agendas and minutes
- The adopted budget
- The most recent audit
- Contact information for the district manager
The statute also requires that the website be updated within a reasonable time after changes to any of the required content. District managers should verify that all required items are posted and current.
Reporting requirements (189.064, 189.066)
CDDs must file certain reports with state agencies:
- Annual financial report to the Department of Financial Services under 218.32
- Creation documents registered with the Special District Information Program
- Audit reports filed per 218.39
Failure to comply with reporting requirements can result in the district being declared inactive by the state, which carries significant governance consequences.
Performance reporting (189.0694)
If applicable, the district may be required to report performance information. For CDDs, this typically relates to infrastructure maintenance benchmarks and financial metrics.
Why district managers should care
The 189.069 website mandate is the most frequently asked-about provision because it has specific, enumerable requirements. CDDStream can surface the full list of required website content from the statute text, making it straightforward to verify that each district in your portfolio has complete and current website content.
CDDStream is software; it is not a law firm and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Verify specifics with your district counsel.