Hendry County sets 'not-to-exceed' MSBU caps, approves plan 2 cap for West Fire

Hendry County commissioners on Tuesday set not-to-exceed rates for multiple Municipal Service Benefit Units, approving a cap for West Fire at “plan 2” and setting recreation assessment rates for the East district.

The action gives staff authority to use the higher figures for TRIM notifications this summer while the county continues detailed budget analysis; commissioners stressed the cap can be lowered before final adoption.

The decision matters because MSBU assessments pay for local fire and recreation services and are reflected on property tax notices sent under Florida’s TRIM process. County staff told the board the county projects roughly $1.2 million in MSBU reserves this year and urged a not-to-exceed number now to allow time for full analysis and city coordination.

County Engineer Shane Parker and Budget Director Ian Proverbs walked commissioners through multiple scenarios the county consultant produced and explained that the “not-to-exceed” vote prevents staff from setting a higher final rate later. Commissioners heard three packaged plans for West Fire (labeled plans 1–3) and distinct rate recommendations for East Recreation. After discussion the board approved the East Recreation structure the board had previewed in workshop: $1.51 per unit for the Harlem zone, $1.20 per unit for other East Recreation areas and $0.45 per unit for Central County (Montura Ranch areas), with opportunity to revisit before September, the staff said.

Vice Chair Mitchell Wills said he favored a cautious approach but noted the likely community impact: “That’s still a huge increase for folks,” Wills said during the discussion, adding he would support a lower final number if the detailed analysis shows it can be lowered.

On West Fire, Commissioner Emery Howard moved to set the not-to-exceed cap at plan 2, which staff said equates to a roughly 136% assessment increase in the affected categories in the presentation; Commissioner Raymond Iglesias seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor and the motion carried.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the vote sets only a ceiling for TRIM notices and does not bind the board to the final number. “A not-to-exceed means we can’t go higher, but we can go lower,” a commissioner told residents during the meeting, noting final MSBU figures will be refined before the county adopts its budget in September.

Next steps: staff will produce a spreadsheets comparing scenarios, incorporate input from the City of LaBelle on city/county service shares, and return to the board with refined figures and recommended final rates. The board directed staff to continue the public discussion and to make the detailed scenario spreadsheets available to commissioners and the public before the September review.