Municipal Service Benefit Units/Taxing Units FAQs
I received something in the mail that says “Public Hearing Notice – This is not a Bill”. What is it?
What you received is a notice of Public Hearings to be held by the County Commissioners. The Public Hearings are to impose a non-ad valorem assessment against your property that is within the Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBUs) listed on the notice. This may be a new assessment or it may be an increase in the rate for the assessment.
What is a non-ad valorem assessment?
A non-ad valorem assessment is an assessment not based on the value of the property.
What is an MSBU?
An MSBU is a geographic area within the County, created by ordinance and defined by specific boundaries, through which particular services are provided. Some examples of services that MSBUs may provide are: road & drainage maintenance, waterway dredging, stormwater utility, fire protection or sanitation service.
I received this “Public Hearing Notice”; do I have to attend the meeting?
It is not mandatory that you attend. If you would like to speak at the meeting or know what happens at the meeting, then you should attend.
I can’t go to the meeting, how do I voice my opinion?
If your question is about a notice you received for a proposed Sanitation assessment, please contact – Barbara Kula at Charlotte County Environmental Services at 941.764.4388 or write to Charlotte County Environmental Services at 25550 Harbor View Road, Unit 2 & 3, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Email is barbara.kula@charlottefl.com.
For a notice you received about all other MSBUs – please contact Public Works at 941.575.3600 or write to Public Works at 7000 Florida Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. E-mail is msbu@charlottecountyfl.com.
For a notice you received about all other MSBUs – please contact Public Works at 941.575.3600 or write to Public Works at 7000 Florida Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. E-mail is msbu@charlottecountyfl.com.
Does this notice mean the county is taking my property?
No. This is a Notice of a Public Hearing for a proposed increase in non-ad valorem assessments.
Is there an exemption because I’m disabled or have low income?
There is not an exemption for disabled or low income persons. All benefiting property pays the assessments.
The value of my neighbor’s property is higher than mine but the notices show the same proposed amount, why doesn’t he pay more?
The rate for non-ad valorem assessments is not based on the assessed value of a property.
I’ve moved and need to change my address.
All address changes are processed by the Charlotte County Property Appraiser. You may contact them:
By telephone at 941.743.1593
By mail or in person at 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1076
By email at records@ccappraiser.com
I received this notice but I no longer own this property.
The assessment remains with the property. If you’ve sold the property recently, the records had not been updated when the notices were mailed. The records should be updated before the tax bills are mailed. You may look up the current ownership of the property online at www.ccappraiser.com .
Where can I find more information on Charlotte County MSBUs?
You can find more information on MSBUs at Charlotte County Public Works.
