Current Status:  Assessment installment payments will be collected annually via property tax bills for tax years 2020 through 2034 (unless paid in full prior to final installment year).  The assessment installment billing amount is $185.32 for Category A (2 BUs); and $92.66 for Category B (1 BU). Financing charges are assigned on an annual basis and are included in the installment billing amount.  An assessment balance may be paid in full at any time without penalty.  A Satisfaction of Lien document will be issued by the MSBU Program when an assessment balance is paid in full.  For payoff balance amounts after August 15, 2020, contact the MSBU Program.

For additional information about ongoing improvements being made at the park, please visit the Leisure Services Department webpage.

Background History:  Through a variety of community efforts, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners received requests to consider the purchase of approximately 100 acres of land (formerly used as a golf course; Rolling Hills) for dedication and use as a public park. In the process of evaluating these requests and potential land acquisition, various cost components and funding sources were evaluated by the County. Securing land for use as a public park along with restoration of the environmental qualities contributes to the preservation of public use areas while further serving to preserve the natural environment.  Establishing a community park within a developed residential community provides a special benefit to residential property abutting, fronting and located nearby the park by promoting a strong sense of community and enriching the quality of life for its residents along with protecting property values in a cost-effective manner.  In 2018, the Rolling Hills community (owners of residential property in close proximity to the golf course property) was petitioned to determine the percentage of support for establishing an assessment district [MSBU] to provide funding for the critical environmental remediation efforts mandated to prepare the property for use as a public park. Following determination of sufficient community support, and consideration of proposal at a public hearing, the Rolling Hills Environmental Remediation MSBU was created by the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners. The land was subsequently purchased by the County. The assessment boundary for this MSBU includes 1160 residential properties. Assessments are allocated on a per parcel basis based on proximity to the park property.  Parcels (Category A) that abut or have frontage to the park are assigned 2 benefit units. Parcels (Category B) that do not abut or have frontage to the park are assigned 1 benefit unit. The preliminary assessment, based on the estimated maximum cost of $1.5M attributable to assessment funding was $1,068 per benefit unit. A repayment (installment) period of 15 years was recommended.  Following completion of the work attributed to assessment funded, a capital assessment of $1,067.50 was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on June 9, 2020. Opportunity was provided for property owners to pay the assessment in full by August 15, 2020, to avoid financing cost and interest assigned in association with the assessment installment plan offered by the County.