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MUNICIPAL SERVICES
BENEFIT UNITS/
MUNICIPAL SERVICES TAXING UNITS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are MSBU's and MSTU's?
These are geographic areas within Charlotte County created by
ordinance and defined by specific boundaries. Property
owners within these units pay for services that benefit their
particular area. Public Works is responsible for their road
maintenance and improvements, drainage, and waterway dredging.
What is the difference between and MSBU and an MSTU?
The source of revenue used to pay for the services is the
difference between an MSBU and an MSTU. The annual budget
is based on the cost of the adopted work program developed by
the units' Advisory Committee in cooperation with Public Works,
and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.
Revenue for services performed in an MSBU comes from non-ad valorem (non-value) assessments. The cost of the annual work program developed by the MSBU's Advisory Committee is divided by the total number of equivalent residential units (ERU's) resulting in an assessment per ERU. A single residential lot is often defined as one ERU. The work performed in the MSBU benefits that specific area or unit.
Revenue for MSTU work programs is produced by ad valorem (value) taxes. The millage rate is determined by dividing the cost of the annual work program by the taxable value of all properties within the unit.
What is the purpose of MSBU's and MSTU's?
Street and drainage units are created to maintain and improve infrastructure: roads, traffic signs, road
striping, sidewalks, drainage pipes and swales, stormwater
management, brush removal and bicycle paths.
Waterway units are created to maintain navigable waterways including: dredging, navigation signs and lock maintenance.
How are assessments and taxes calculated?
The calculation method can vary from one unit to another.
It can be based on the length of front footage, size of lots,
amount of acreage, or taxable value of the property. The
method used is citied in the ordinance or resolution levying the
assessment or tax.
What is the benefit of an MSBU or MSTU?
The cost for services within a specific area are equitably
assessed on each property within the benefit unit.
Benefits are calculated for the entire unit.
How are MSBU's and MSTU's managed?
Volunteers wishing to serve on their formal MSBU or MSTU
Advisory Committee are appointed to the committee by the Board
of County Commissioners when a vacancy occurs. Committee
meetings are generally held each quarter but may be held more
often during special projects. Members must be property
owners residing within the unit who pay assessment or tax to the
unit. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming
a member of an Advisory Committee, contact Public Works,
(941)575-3600.
Municipal Services District Representatives, employees of the Public Works Division, serve as liaison between the Advisory Committees and County departments.
Where can I get assessment and billing information for my MSBU
or MSTU?
The MSBU Section of the Information Technology Department
assembles and maintains the property records for all MSBU's.
They track current and historical MSBU assessment and billing
information and provide MSBU assessment data to the Tax
Collector annually for tax collection under the Statutory
Uniform Collection Method.
Need more information?
Use our Department Listing and Contact Page
Please report problems with this web site to the
Charlotte County WebMaster.
Web Site of the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners
Administrative Complex * 18500 Murdock Circle * Port Charlotte, Florida
941.743.1200