In August of 2024, representatives from Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. contacted the Clay County School Board’s Planning Department seeking approval to develop a maximum of 72 single-family residential dwelling units on a tract of land being approximately ± 20 acres located in unincorporated Clay County, Florida (Lake Asbury area): Parcel No. 010101-004-00.  It was determined that there is inadequate capacity in the Concurrency Service Area, specifically Lake Asbury Elementary School, or in any Contiguous Service Area and that the 19 elementary students generated by the development proposals would cause the Level of Service (LOS) to exceed acceptable levels.  In accordance with the Clay County Interlocal Agreement for Coordinated Planning (CCIA), to mitigate the deficiency, a PSM Agreement may be entered into between the School Board and the Developer.  Negotiations between the School Board’s Planning Department and Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. in accordance with CCIA's calculation methodology, resulted in a mutually agreeable resolution. The sum of $647,932.00 would be paid to the School Board’s impact fee account to mitigate the capacity deficit.  In return, the School District would ensure sufficient capacity to accommodate the elementary school students generated by the project.

No action would result in a School Board Concurrency Reservation Denial Letter (SCDL). In effect, The Clay County Board of County Commissioners would deny approval of the Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. (Bella Lago Ph3) development.

The School Board approved previous PSM Agreements in the past.

It is expected the School Board will approve the PSM Agreement and forward it to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners for their approval.

Ensure fiscal responsibility through the effective management of district operations in an effort to maximize available resources necessary to provide an environment that is safe, efficient, and conducive to learning.

Approve the Clay County School Board, Clay County, Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. (Bella Lago Ph3) PSM Agreement.