NOTICE OF INTENT TO FIND – PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 163.31777(2) AND (3), FLORIDA STATUTES DCA DOCKET NO. 53-15

The Department gives notice of its intent to find the Public Schools Interlocal Agreement (“Agreement”) entered into by Polk County and the City of Lakeland and the Polk County School Board, pursuant to Section 163.31777, F.S., to be consistent with the minimum requirements of Sections 163.31777(2) and (3), F.S.

The Agreement is available for public inspection Monday through Friday, except for legal holidays, during normal business hours, at the 330 West Church St., Bartow, FL 33831.

Any affected person, as defined in Section 163.31777(3)(b), F.S., has a right to petition for an administrative hearing to challenge the proposed agency determination that the Agreement is consistent with the minimum requirements of Section 163.31777(2) and (3), F.S. The petition must be filed within twenty-one (21) days after publication of this notice in the Florida Administrative Weekly, and must include all of the information and contents described in Uniform Rule 28-106.201, F.A.C. The petition must be filed with the Agency Clerk, Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, and a copy mailed or delivered to Polk County and City of Lakeland and the Polk County School Board. Failure to timely file a petition shall constitute a waiver of any right to request an administrative proceeding as a petitioner under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S. If a petition is filed, the purpose of the administrative hearing will be to present evidence and testimony and forward a recommended order to the Department. If no petition is filed, this Notice of Intent shall become final agency action.

If a petition is filed, other affected persons may petition for leave to intervene in the proceeding. A petition for intervention must be filed at least twenty (20) days before the final hearing and must include all of the information and contents described in Uniform Rule 28-106.205, F.A.C. A petition for leave to intervene shall be filed at the Division of Administrative Hearings, Department of Management Services, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060. Failure to petition to intervene within the allowed time frame constitutes a waiver of any right such a person has to request a hearing under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to participate in the administrative hearing.

If a formal or informal proceeding is commenced as described above, any party to that proceeding may suggest mediation under Section 120.573, F.S. Mediation is not available as of right, and will not occur unless all parties agree to participate in the mediation. Choosing mediation does not affect the right to an administrative hearing.

                                                                                                                                ____________________________

                                                                                                                                -s-Mike McDaniel, Chief

                                                                                                                                Office of Comprehensive Planning

                                                                                                                                2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

                                                                                                                                Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100