A trio of Santa Rosa County Commissioners this morning shot down two motions by Chairman Kerry Smith to move forward two Municipal Service Taxing Units (MSTUs), which could have appeared on the August ad valorem bills of property owners.
Commissioners Bobby Burkett, Ray Eddington and Rhett Rowell stood up against pressure from Smith and Commissioner Colten Wright, who seconded Smith’s motions and told fellow board members to “man up and do the right thing.”
Multiple residents also spoke out against the MSTUs.
Milton resident Trinity Colburn expressed concerns over retirees and those on disability who are on fixed incomes and unable to afford food, noting his family has to help out a relative with groceries.
Pace resident Cindy Smith voiced worries over further burdening locals who are struggling financially and having to decide whether to buy medication or pay mortgages.
Rowell said he was concerned future commissioners would be able to increase the millage rates of the MSTUs up to the 10 mil cumulative cap set by the state. He also said his biggest concern was that adding property taxes could potential compromise renewal of the existing local option sales tax, which expires in December 2026.
Milton resident Jerry Couey pointed out that adding the new taxing units could potentially allow commissioners to levy up to 20 mils on property owners.
“This is a little disappointing today,” said Smith, although his motion to impose a Municipal Services Benefits Unit (MSBU) on 27 neighborhoods to address stormwater passed unanimously.
Subsequently, property owners in 27 neighborhoods will be impacted by the MSBU; however, the County doesn’t yet know how much the assessments will be. Projects will be bid out and brought back to the board.
The following neighborhoods will be impacted by the new MSBU:
- Ashmore Place
- Autumn Run North – Phase I
- Avalon Estates
- Avalon Park – Replat 2
- Bell Lane
- Chantilly Woods
- Charterwoods
- Copperfield
- Copperfield – Phase 2
- Deer Creek Farms
- Heather Oaks
- Hunter’s Ridge
- Jolene
- Laurelwood
- Monarch Acres
- Monitcello Estates
- Morgan Ridge – Phase 2
- North Harbor
- Redland Estates
- Rolling Green Estates
- Sheridan Woods
- Sundial Estates – Phase 1
- Terra Bella
- The Groves at Chantilly
- Timber Breek – Phase 4
- Twelve Oaks Plantation
- Whisper Creek – Phase I
