Board approves multiple MSBU street‑lighting and new subdivision MSBU assessments
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Summary
Columbia County commissioners approved several maintenance special‑assessment (MSBU) and street‑lighting resolutions covering Pine Ridge Court, Spring Hollow, Carolina Heights, Emerald Lakes, Laurel Lake and a new Forest Cove subdivision MSBU; each carried the same or similar rates to last year except the new Forest Cove initial assessments.
Columbia County commissioners approved a set of resolutions establishing or renewing municipal service benefit units (MSBUs) and street‑lighting assessments for multiple neighborhoods after hearing no public opposition during the hearings.
Resolutions and rates approved (as presented at the hearing) - Resolution 2025R‑36 (Pine Ridge Court MSBU): no change from last year; improvements $90.10 per dwelling unit; maintenance $130.17 per dwelling unit. - Resolution 2025R‑37 (Spring Hollow Street Lighting MSBU): generates about $2,109; $55.50 per dwelling unit; no rate change proposed. - Resolution 2025R‑38 (Carolina Heights Street Lighting MSBU): generates about $2,442; $74.00 per dwelling unit; no rate change. - Resolution 2025R‑33 (Emerald Lakes Street Lighting MSBU): generates about $8,977.80; $46.04 per dwelling unit; no change from prior year. - Resolution 2025R‑35 (Laurel Lake Street Lighting MSBU): generates about $4,148.59; $118.53 per dwelling unit; no change. - Resolution 2025R‑34 (Forest Cove Subdivision Maintenance MSBU — new this year): initial assessments estimated to generate $2,800 for stormwater management and $4,340 for roadway maintenance; staff described the per‑unit initial assessments as roughly $200 for stormwater management and $310 for roadway maintenance.
Public hearings and action For each listed item the chair opened a public hearing; seeing no speakers, the board closed the hearing and voted to adopt the resolutions. Staff noted that the Forest Cove MSBU is a new assessment for the subdivision and that the rates reflect an initial assessment to fund stormwater and roadway maintenance.
Why it matters MSBUs and street‑lighting assessments place costs for specific capital and maintenance work on the properties that benefit from the improvements rather than on the general fund. Residents in affected subdivisions can expect the specified per‑unit charges to appear on future tax bills or assessment notices in accordance with the county’s billing procedure.