Commissioner proposes MSBU for Dogwood Lakes; staff directed to research feasibility and procedures

A Holmes County commissioner proposed creating a Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) for the Dogwood Lakes community and asked staff to research the feasibility and process for placing the measure on a future ballot.

The speaker said Dogwood Lakes has received substantial county investment—cleaning canals, dam work and other maintenance—and argued that the properties immediately benefiting from those services should share the ongoing cost. The commissioner proposed an illustrative assessment of $125 per parcel per year levied on roughly 317 parcels that touch community roads and amenities; that figure was discussed as an example to estimate potential revenue (roughly $30,000—40,000 annually).

County staff and the county attorney explained the statutory process (referencing Florida MSBU procedures), which includes public hearings, direct notice to property owners, and ballot timing coordinated with the supervisor of elections. The board discussed that an MSBU is a district-level levy on parcels inside the unit and stressed the need for outreach to affected property owners. Several commissioners and staff emphasized the political sensitivity of creating a new assessment and the need for careful notice and public hearings.

The board did not adopt an MSBU at the meeting. Instead, commissioners asked the county attorney (Nate) and staff to do due diligence, quantify administrative costs (mailing, hearings, election timing), and return to the board with a timeline and cost estimate. The attorney noted schedule constraints from the supervisor of elections and said staff would need to work to meet filing deadlines if the board decided to proceed.

Ending: Staff will present a formal proposal, timeline and estimated mailing/advertising costs at a future meeting (candidate date: November 6 was suggested) so the board can decide whether to move a referendum forward.