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Commission OKs MSBU street‑lighting assessment increase for Kingsland Country Estates
Summary
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously July 15 to raise the annual Municipal Service Benefit Unit assessment for Kingsland Country Estates — Whispering Pines and Forest Glen — from $45 to $66 per parcel to sustain street‑lighting service for about 1,200 parcels.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously July 15 to increase the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) assessment that pays for street lighting in Kingsland Country Estates — Whispering Pines and Kingsland Country Estates — Forest Glen from $45 to $66 per parcel annually.
The change was presented by Zachary Jacobson, operations manager for municipal services, who told the board the MSBU was established in 2021 with a $100 statutory cap but until now was collecting $45 per parcel. Jacobson said electricity costs and other expenses have put the MSBU’s budget “in the red” and that raising the assessment to $66 would sustain services for roughly 10 years and carry the community to about fiscal year 2034–35.
“We are asking that that does get increased to $66 per year per parcel,” Jacobson said. Richard Keefer, a representative of the homeowners association, spoke in favor during the public hearing and said residents supported the increase because of safety benefits.
The board’s approval lets county staff implement the perpetual assessment and update billing. Commissioners did not change the $100 statutory maximum for the benefit unit. No dissenting votes were recorded.
What happens next: The county will finalize the rate resolution and apply the new annual assessment on parcels within the MSBU boundary. County staff and the municipal services office will work with the homeowners association on next steps and notifications to property owners.
Why it matters: The assessment pays for publicly owned street lights that serve roughly 1,200 parcels. County staff said without the increase the lighting program would become insolvent next fiscal year given higher energy rates charged by the utility provider.
