Chapter 492 - LOW-INCOME POOL ASSESSMENT

Sec. 491.104. - Procedures. JACKSONVILLE ORDINANCE CODE Chapter 492 - LOW-INCOME POOL ASSESSMENT

Sec. 492.101. - Purpose and authority.

The purpose of the Low-Income Pool (LIP) assessment is to provide a funding source for the LIP program which allows hospitals in the area to collect additional funding to cover the costs of uncompensated care. This Initial Special Assessment Ordinance is adopted pursuant to the authority granted in F.S. Ch. 170, Chapter 715, Jacksonville Ordinance Code; as well as the home rule powers conferred upon municipalities and chartered counties by Article VIII of the Florida Constitution; and F.S. Chs. 125 and 166.

(Ord. 2024-212-E, § 4)

Sec. 492.102. - Special Assessment for the Low-Income Pool (LIP) Program Authorized.

(a)

The City of Jacksonville is hereby authorized to create a special assessment which will provide additional revenue towards uncompensated healthcare provided by Duval County Agency for Health Care Administration ("AHCA") licensed hospitals. The cost to be assessed will be based on the total funds needed for the area as determined by AHCA. Funds generated as a result of the special assessment shall be held in a separate account for the Low Income Pool Hospital Assessment.

(b)

Method of Apportioning and Computation. The assessment shall be broad based, and the amount of the assessment shall be uniformly imposed on each assessed property. The assessment may not hold harmless any institutional health care provider, as required by federal law. Assessments for each assessed property will be computed from data contained in the Florida Hospital Uniform Reporting System, as available from AHCA, and/or from cost reports. As permitted by law, the assessment shall constitute a lien upon the assessed properties equal in rank and dignity with the liens of all state, City of Jacksonville, district, or municipal taxes and other non-ad valorem assessments. Enforcement of the assessment shall be by any remedy authorized by law.

(c)

Boundaries/Properties to be Assessed. The properties to be assessed as a part of this program are only properties licensed as hospitals by AHCA as defined in F.S. § 395.002(12), located in Duval County.

(d)

Estimated Rate and Maximum Rate. The Annual Assessment shall be specified for each assessed property in the Annual Assessment Roll and the applicable notices. The City of Jacksonville shall set the assessment in an amount that in the aggregate will generate sufficient revenue to fund the LIP payment associated with local services to be funded by the assessment. The rate, will be a multiplier, based on a percentage or fee, which will be multiplied against the multiplicand, which will be a uniform category applicable to all entities being assessed (e.g. beds, total dollars of revenue, etc.).

The amount of the assessment required of each assessed property may not exceed the limits set forth in federal law under 42 CFR § 433.68, or any subsequent applicable law.

(e)

Date and Time of Public Hearing. The roll shall be approved at a public hearing in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Florida Statutes and the Jacksonville Ordinance Code.

(f)

Assessment Roll Prepared. Annually the rate shall be established as a part of the Annual Assessment Roll.

(g)

Notice. Notice of the public hearing for the Annual Assessment Roll shall be both published with all required information set forth in Florida Statutes, and in Section 715.204, Ordinance Code, and mailed to each assessed facility, providing all information required under Section 715.205, Ordinance Code.

(Ord. 2024-212-E, § 4)

Sec. 492.103. - Annual Authorization to Sign Letter of Agreement (LOA) and Disburse Funds.

Annually, the Director of Finance is hereby authorized (i) to sign the applicable LOA from AHCA each year and (ii) to make disbursements of the LIP funds as follows:

(1)

to provide to AHCA the requested funds for the LIP program which allow access to additional federal funds for uncompensated care provided by area hospitals; and

(2)

to reimburse the City of Jacksonville for administrative costs associated with the implementation of the assessment, as further specified in the implementing ordinances. Any reasonable expenses the City of Jacksonville incurs to collect delinquent assessments, including any attorney's fees incurred as a result of contracting with an attorney to represent the City of Jacksonville in seeking and enforcing the collection of delinquent assessments, are authorized as administrative costs, subject to any limitation in federal or state law.

(Ord. 2024-212-E, § 4)

Editor's note— Ordinance 2024-175-E, § 25, authorized updated department/division names pursuant to the reorganization.

Sec. 492.104. - Procedures.

The assessments authorized in this Chapter may be imposed and collected pursuant to any method authorized by law, including, but not limited to, F.S. Ch. 170. This assessment may be prepared independently or in conjunction with the Local Provider Participation Fund/Direct Payment Prgoram assessments set forth in Chapter 491, Ordinance Code, if the assessment roll, notice, and invoice clearly indicate the application of both Chapters and funds.

(Ord. 2024-212-E, § 4)

Sec. 491.104. - Procedures. JACKSONVILLE ORDINANCE CODE