Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) Program
How to Establish an MSBU
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1
Inquiry & Application
- An inquiry is submitted by a property owner or other entity representing an established community (such as an HOA) by contacting the MSBU Program at 407- 665-7178 or MSBUProgram@seminolecountyfl.gov to inquire or discuss the project.
- Survey of Interest (SOI) is circulated by the applicant to confirm at least 35% of the property owners to specially benefit are interested in funding the proposed services by assessment. MSBU will provide the SOI to the applicant.
- Application will be provided to the applicant for review, completion, and submittal to the MSBU Program.
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2
Define Cost & Scope Estimate
- MSBU Program consults with the County department designated to manage the requested service. The designated service department prepares service scope and obtains cost estimates. The applicant may be notified of research, analysis and/or preliminary engineering fees to be collected in in advance for these services.
- Community Meeting — County recommendations and service details are presented and reviewed with owners of the properties included in the proposed assessment boundary during a Community Meeting.
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3
Petition
- MSBU Program coordinates the MSBU Petition process to determine percentage of community support for creating the requested MSBU. Petition must have 65% property owner support to proceed before the Board of County Commissioners for potential adoption. Street Lighting MSBUs need 55% homeowner support.
- When applicable, applicant obtains and submits applicable easement, dedication and/or agreement documents.
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4
Creation of the MSBU
- Notice of Public Hearing is mailed to property owners.
- The Board of County Commissioners [BCC] conducts a public hearing to receive comments from the community and consider adoption and creation of the requested MSBU.
- If approved, the MSBU is established via a governing ordinance and the initial assessment roll is adopted.
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5
Implementation
- Service is initiated by the County department assigned to manage the service.
- Collection of a variable rate assessment begins with the first available property tax bill.
- Collection of a capital assessment (and/or installment billing) is delayed until the capital service is completed, and a second public hearing is held to finalize the assessment based on actual project cost. Installments are collected via the first available property tax statement following project completion.