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Deltona staff proposes using TRIM notice to notify parcel owners of special assessment increases, saving about $34,000
Summary
City staff recommended using the county property appraiser's TRIM mailing to notify parcel owners about proposed increases in non‑ad valorem special assessments, citing eligibility under Florida law and projected savings of about $34,000 compared with separate mailings.
City staff proposed using the Volusia County property appraiser’s Truth in Millage (TRIM) mailing to notify parcel owners of proposed increases in non‑ad valorem special assessments — such as stormwater, solid waste and Lake McGarity assessments — rather than sending a separate city letter. Staff estimated the change would save the city roughly $34,000 in printing and postage costs this fiscal year.
Staff said Deltona mailed individual notices to every parcel owner last year at a cost of just over $32,000 and this year’s estimate for a standalone mailing was just under $36,000. City Manager John McKinney told the commission the city qualifies to use the TRIM notice under Florida law and that parcel owners already pay about $0.77 per assessment for the property appraiser’s TRIM service.
McKinney said the staff recommendation is procedural: submit anticipated assessment amounts to the property appraiser so the non‑ad valorem assessments appear below the line on the TRIM notice alongside ad valorem tax figures. The commission will consider setting maximum assessment rates at a July 21 hearing; staff noted Sept. 15 is the last date to notify the property appraiser of any non‑ad valorem assessments for the year.
“If that’s not something that the commission would like to do, we’ve already prepared the letters that we can get out within two weeks,” McKinney said, explaining the city can revert to separate mailings if the commission prefers. He added, “I just figured it was a way to save the city this fiscal year $34,000.”
Vice Mayor Harriot and other commissioners asked for clarification that property owners would still receive mailed notice; staff confirmed the TRIM notice would be the official written notice in future years and that a separate one‑page memo would no longer be mailed as a stand‑alone envelope if the commission approves the change. Staff also said other cities use the TRIM notice for non‑ad valorem assessment notification and that the property appraiser already produces the TRIM mailing each year.
No formal vote or ordinance was taken at the meeting. Staff said it will bring the item back for the July 21 hearing on maximum assessment rates and will proceed with standalone letters this year if the commission directs it.
