Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing for Learning Independence for Tomorrow, Inc., doing business as LiFT Academy

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

www.pinellascounty.org/boards/educational-authority/notices/TEFRA_Notice-LiFT-Sept2022.pdf.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas County, Florida will consider the approval of one or more series of revenue bonds, either tax-exempt, or taxable, or both, to be issued by the Pinellas County Educational Facilities Authority (the “Issuer”), in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $10,000,000 (the “Bonds”) on behalf of Learning Independence for Tomorrow, Inc., doing business as LiFT Academy, a Florida not- for-profit corporation, (the “Borrower”).

The proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned by the Issuer to the Borrower and used by the Borrower for the purpose of financing or refinancing, including through reimbursement, (i) the acquisition, construction and renovation of existing facilities to provide facilities for the Borrower to (a) educate approximately 400 students total in the next 4-5 years with 325 of those students in grades kindergarten through twelfth, (b) operate the LiFT University Transition Program, which is a four-year, post-secondary program for up to 50 students who have completed high school, but desire continued social and emotional educational support, career readiness, and intensive life skill training, and (c) operate the LiFT Adult Day Program for up to 25 adults ages 23 and above, which offers continued learning and employment skills while promoting social enterprise, which facilities are located on approximately 7.13 acres of property at 1005 S. Highland Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33756, including related facilities, fixtures, real property, furnishings and equipment; (ii) the funding of debt service reserves for the Bonds; (iii) the funding of capitalized interest for the Bonds, if needed; and (iv) the payment of certain costs of issuance of the Bonds (the purposes described in clauses (i) through (iv) are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Project”). The Project will be owned by the Borrower.

This notice is provided for a public hearing to be held regarding the nature and location of the Project and the issuance of the Bonds at a meeting on September 22, 2022 beginning at 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, at 333 Chestnut Street, Palm Room, Clearwater, Florida. Virtual participation is available utilizing Communications Media Technology (CMT) on the Zoom platform.

THE BONDS WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A DEBT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA, PINELLAS COUNTY, OR ANYPOLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF, but will be payable solely from payments made by the Borrower.

The hearing is being held for the purpose of affording residents of Pinellas County, Florida and other interested persons an opportunity to express their views, both orally and in writing, on the proposed issuance of the Bonds and the nature and location of the Project.

The public hearing will be streamed live at https://youtube.com/PinellasCountyMeetings and www.pinellascounty.org/TV, and broadcast on the Pinellas County cable public access channels:

Spectrum Channel 637 Frontier Channel 44 WOW! Channel 18

Members of the public wishing to address the body may attend in person, virtually or provide comment in advance. Space for in-person attendance is very limited due to COVID-19 social distancing. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to participate virtually or to provide comments in advance.

Members of the public wishing to address the body virtually via Zoom or by phone are required to preregister by 5:00 P.M. the day before the meeting. The agenda for this meeting and information about participation options can be found at www.pinellascounty.org/bcc.

Members of the public who cannot access the registration form via the internet may call (727) 464-3000 to request assistance preregistering.

Members of the public wishing to provide comment in advance may call the Agenda Comment Line at (727) 464-4400 or complete the online comment form at www.pinellascounty.org/BCCagendacomment. Comment on any agenda item must be submitted by 5:00 P.M. the day before the meeting. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may provide public input on any agenda item through use of the State of Florida’s relay service at 7- 1-1.

All comments on any agenda item received by 5:00 P.M. the day before the meeting will be included as part of the official record for this meeting and will be available to be considered by the County Commission prior to any action taken.

Persons are advised that if they decide to appeal any decision made at this meeting, they will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO NEED REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO EFFECTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING ARE ASKED TO CONTACT PINELLAS COUNTY’S OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY E-MAILING SUCH REQUESTS TO ACCOMMODATIONS@pinellas.gov AT LEAST THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE NEED FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION. YOU MAY ALSO CALL (727) 464-4882 (VOICE) OR (727) 464-4062 (TDD). MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADA, AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, MAY BE FOUND AT WWW.PINELLASCOUNTY.ORG/HUMANRIGHTS/ADA.