The Question:

21. How does the non-ad valorem “assessment” for solid waste management differ from a “fee for service”?

 

The Answer:

The solid waste management assessment, that is similar to a tax, is levied by a the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners  for the purpose of providing and maintaining the countywide management of residential solid waste throughout unincorporated Seminole County. The non-ad valorem assessment is collected via the annual property tax bill and includes, in addition to the curbside collection services, the funding for providing and operating the County’s disposal facilities (Osceola Landfill and Central Transfer Station), administering solid waste management related contracts, addressing illegal disposal, and conducting environmental projects. A fee for service, such as may be charged by a privately owned company, is often based on a contractual relationship established directly between the buyer and the seller for a specific service for a specific time period. The assessment for solid waste management does not represent a fee for service arrangement, and it is levied in compliance with county law (Seminole County Ordinance 97-33). The assessment is levied for the full assessment period (calendar year) on a per dwelling basis and is not prorated based on occupancy, optional use of curbside collection, or other temporary interruptions in collection or disposal provisions.

1. How often are site inspections of the lake or waterway scheduled?

2. Who do I call to report changes in the quality of the lake or waterway?

3. When are the annual needs, operating costs, and MSBU assessment of the lake or waterway determined?

4. How much does the assessment for aquatic weed control change annually?

5. How do I satisfy the lien on my property for an aquatic weed control MSBU assessment?

1. Where do I obtain detailed information?

2. What do the letters MSBU represent?

3. What type of property is eligible to participate in an MSBU?

4. My subdivision is located within city limits. Can Seminole County still help me and my neighbors benefit from an MSBU with Seminole County, such as street lighting, water/sewer, etc.?

5. What is the procedure to start the MSBU process?

6. What is the role of the community liaisons and how are they selected?

7. Is someone available to attend an HOA meeting to discuss the process or the projects?

8. How does the MSBU Program determine the level of community support for establishing an MSBU?

9. How does the petition get distributed?

10. Can I change my response after it has been submitted?

11. Can the petition deadline be adjusted?

12. What level of support is required?

13. Will the results of the petition be communicated?

14. Do the property owners opposing the MSBU get assessed if the MSBU is created?

15. When will a public hearing be held and who may attend?

16. May the MSBU be terminated at a future date?

17. When do I start paying the assessment?

18. I received a Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Notice in the mail. What is this?

20. On the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Notice it states: “This is not a bill”. When and how will the charges be billed? How is the assessment paid?

21. Since there is a lien on my property, when and how is the lien satisfied? May I receive a copy of the satisfaction of lien?

22. If I sell my property within the payoff period how does the MSBU lien on my property get satisfied?

1. What properties are eligible to participate in a road and drainage MSBU?

2. May I have the road and drainage MSBU extended just to my one parcel without any of my neighbors participating?

3. To what type of roadway must this requested road and drainage MSBU connect?

4. I live on a private road. Am I eligible to participate in a road and drainage MSBU?

5. How large an easement must be available for construction activities?

6. What is the first step to begin the construction process of a roadway and drainage project after an MSBU is approved and established?

7. If an MSBU road, drainage or sidewalk is in need of repair after completion of the MSBU improvement, who is responsible for those costs?

8. How do I obtain more information on road and drainage repairs?

9. May I pay my construction assessment at any time during a reimbursement period?

10. If I sell my property within the payoff period how does the MSBU lien on my property get satisfied? Who pays the remainder due, the buyer or the seller?

1. We have existing sidewalks that need repair and/or replacing. Can we request an MSBU for these types of upgrades for sidewalks?

2. What is the criteria for adding a sidewalk to the County sidewalk system?

3. Why is it necessary to install a new six (6) foot wide sidewalk rather than a four (4) foot or five (5) foot wide sidewalk?

5. How large an easement must be available for construction activities?

5. What is the first step to begin the construction process of a new sidewalk after an MSBU is approved and established?

6. If the MSBU road, water line, sewer line, sidewalk or drainage is in need of repair after completion of the MSBU improvement, who is responsible for those costs?

7. May I pay off my construction assessment at any time during the payoff period?

If I sell my property within the payoff period how does the MSBU lien on my property get satisfied? Who pays the remainder due, the buyer or the seller?

1. I have a question about the amount I’m being charged for curbside collection service. Who do I call?

2. What curbside collection service options are available?

3. What is my current service option?

4. How do I make a change in my service option?

5. After requesting a service option change, when will the new service option start?

6. I sold my house. How do I discontinue collection service?

7. I purchased a home and want to start curbside collection service.

8. Can I be exempt from curbside collection service?

9. The house is vacant; do I have to pay for collection service?

10. Why am I being charged for 2 houses when I only have 1?

11. I’m a part time resident of Seminole County; do I have to pay for the whole year?

12. How do I get a recycling bin?

13. Who provides the garbage and yard waste collection service for my property?

14. What are the collection days for my property?

15. My garbage (yard waste, recycling) wasn’t picked up, who do I call?

16. I am not satisfied with the Solid Waste curbside collection service, who do I call?

17. I have a large item that needs to be picked up (i.e. appliance, mattress, TV, etc.), who do I call?

18. What or where is the Landfill or Central Transfer Station?

19. Is there a charge to use the Landfill or Central Transfer Station?

20. What is the difference between the “Tax Year,” the “Assessment Period” and the “Service Year”?

21. How does the non-ad valorem “assessment” for solid waste management differ from a “fee for service”?

22. Why is the Solid Waste Management assessment collected in advance while property taxes are collected in arrears?

23. When is the last day I can downgrade my collection option for the next service year?

24. Why does collection option downgrade have a deadline, but collection option upgrade can be throughout the year?

25. Who can make changes to the collection option for my property?

1. I would like to have a street light in my neighborhood. What do I need to do?

2. How are locations of the street light poles determined?

3. Can I upgrade or add a light to an existing street lighting MSBU in the future?

4. When are the annual needs and assessment rates determined?

5. My property is vacant. Do I still have to pay for street lights?

6. There are trees growing over the street lights. Who do I contact to have the branches trimmed back?

7. Tree limbs and branches are very near and/or touching power lines at my property. Who do I contact to have this vegetation trimmed?

8. The street light in my subdivision is out or is not functioning properly. What do I do?

9. Which Power Company Should I Contact for Repair?

10. My street lighting poles have paint that is peeling and/or fading. Who should I contact to request re-painting?

1. How large an easement must be available for construction activities?

2. What level of support is required?

3. If a property owner chooses not to connect to a water and/or sewer line, may they do so in the future?

5. If the MSBU water line or sewer line is in need of repair after completion of the MSBU improvement, who is responsible for those costs?

6. May I pay off my construction assessment at any time during the payoff period?

7. If I sell my property within the payoff period how does the MSBU lien on my property get satisfied? Who pays the remainder due, the buyer or the seller?