Independent special district services in disproportionally affected county; rate reduction for providers providing economic benefits.

If the governing body of an independent special district that provides water, wastewater, and sanitation services in a disproportionally affected county determines that a new user or the expansion of an existing user of one or more of its utility systems will provide a significant benefit to the community in terms of increased job opportunities, economies of scale, or economic development in the area, the governing body may authorize a reduction of its rates, fees, or charges for that user for a specified period of time. A governing body that exercises this power must do so by resolution that states the anticipated economic benefit justifying the reduction as well as the period of time that the reduction will remain in place. As used in this section, the term “disproportionally affected county” means Bay County, Escambia County, Franklin County, Gulf County, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Walton County, or Wakulla County.