A public hearing was held April 25, 2023 adopting Ordinance 2023-06 amending the West Hernando Street Lighting Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) boundaries and repealing Holland Springs Multipurpose MSBU (Ord 2007-03), Barony Woods East Street Lighting MSBU (Ord 1990-30), and Holland Spring Industrial Park Street Lighting MSBU (Ord 2022-21). The amended MSBU merges the individual repealed MSBUs into the existing West Hernando Street Lighting MSBU (Ord 2013-42) for the purpose of maintaining or decreasing the per unit rate to affected property owners.

Periodically staff reviews MSBU forecasted budgets with a goal of decreasing assessment cost and increasing efficiencies. A five-year analysis was completed which identified the three small MSBUs with assessment rates expected to increase significantly due to rising operational costs and the depletion of reserves over the years. The merge excluded nine (9) units from the Holland Springs Multipurpose MSBU identified as not platted within the Village Van Gogh subdivision. The merge also eliminated the sidewalk purpose within the Holland Spring Multipurpose MSBU as the sidewalks reside in the County right-of-way and are therefore maintained by the County. Street lighting services will not be affected.

A proposed FY 2025 annual budget of $327,100 (at 95% collection) creating a per unit assessment of $55.00 which will be placed on the property owners’ 2024 tax bill. The budget is divided equally among approximately 3,380 units and will operate approximately 1,244 streetlights. A unit is considered each platted lot, parcel, tract, cooperative parcel, and condominium parcel.  The resulting average first-year savings for the three smaller MSBUs on the 2024 tax roll is estimated at $50.00 per unit/lot. The average second-year savings for the three smaller MSBU’s is estimated at $56.00 per unit/lot with an anticipated average savings per lot up to $62.00 by tax year 2028.

The resolution setting the final budget and actual non-ad valorem assessment rate to be levied against each lot was adopted at a public hearing held May 28, 2024. The rate will be reflected on the 2024 annual property tax bill.