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Alachua County adopts final non‑ad valorem assessment rates for fire, solid waste, stormwater and a special district
Summary
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners approved final non‑ad valorem assessment rates for fire services, solid waste, stormwater and the Sugarfoot Oaks–Cedar Ridge special assessment district during a public hearing; staff and residents clashed over exemptions and service levels.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt several final non‑ad valorem assessment rate resolutions Tuesday, approving the fire services, solid waste and stormwater assessments and final rates for the Sugarfoot Oaks–Cedar Ridge special assessment district.
Staff told the board the fire assessment rates remain unchanged from FY2024: tier 1 at $90.69 and tier 2 at $8.31. The solid waste rates were presented as enabling the county to collect about $12,800,000 to fund universal curbside collection, rural collection centers and solid waste management programs, with staff outlining a multi‑account revenue split. The stormwater assessment was described as $60 per equivalent residential unit, projected to generate up to $3,600,000 split between environmental protection and public works. The Sugarfoot Oaks–Cedar Ridge district rate was presented as $10 per unit per month, projected to produce roughly $99,240 for community maintenance.
During public comment, several residents sought clarification and raised concerns about fairness and maintenance. Willie Thelosen said neighbors were listed as exempt while his small, rural parcels were not and asked how exemptions are defined and applied. "I don't feel my properties are requiring any more fire services...My neighbor's properties are exempt. Mine aren't," Thelosen said.
Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby and other staff explained that the board sets the assessments and the property appraiser applies statutory exemptions; Crosby said the county would provide the ordinance listing available exemptions and work with residents. "We passed an ordinance. We we'll get you the ordinance that lays out the exemptions," Crosby said, and staff offered to follow up with individual property owners.
Each assessment resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board recorded no roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript; the motions were advanced after public comment and accepted by majority voice vote.
