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941.743.1200
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948

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MSBUs & MSTUs FAQ

What is a non-ad valorem assessment?
A non-ad valorem assessment is an assessment not based on the value of the property.

I received something in the mail that says “Public Hearing Notice – This is not a Bill”. What is it?
What you received is a notice of Public Hearings to be held by the County Commissioners. The Public Hearings are to impose a non-ad valorem assessment against your property that is within the Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBUs) listed on the notice. This may be a new assessment or it may be an increase in the rate for the assessment.

What is an MSBU/MSTU?
An MSBU/MSTU is a geographic area within the County, created by ordinance and defined by specific boundaries, through which particular services are provided. Some examples of services that MSBUs may provide are: road & drainage maintenance, waterway dredging, stormwater utility, fire protection or sanitation service.

Where can I find more information on Charlotte County MSBUs?
You can find more information on MSBUs here.

I received this “Public Hearing Notice”; do I have to attend the meeting?
It is not mandatory that you attend. If you would like to speak at the meeting or know what happens at the meeting, then you should attend.​

I can’t go to the meeting, how do I voice my opinion?
You may email bcc@CharlotteCountyFL.gov or send written correspondence to the Board of County Commissioners, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, Florida 33948-1094. Written comments are accepted within 20 days of the mailing of the Public Hearing Notice.
  • If you have a question about a notice you received about street and drainage, waterway or stormwater MSBUs – please contact Public Works at 941.575.3600 or email to msbu.web@CharlotteCountyFL.gov
  • If your question is about a notice you received for Barrier Islands Fire Service Unit MSBU or Charlotte County Fire Rescue MSBU please contact – Charlotte County Fire Rescue Dept., 941.833.5600 or write to Charlotte County Fire Rescue Dept., 26571 Airport Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33983.
  • If your question is about a notice you received for Little Gasparilla Island Fire Services Unit please contact – Little Gasparilla Fire & Rescue at 941.270.7607 or email to LGIFRDistrict1@gmail.com.
  • If you have a question about the notice you received for a water or sewer utility MSBU, please contact –Charlotte County Utilities Engineering at 941.764.4300 Extension 3.
  • If you have a specific question about information provided within the notice, please contact the MSBU division at 941.743.1914 or email to msbu.web@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Does this notice mean the county is taking my property?
No. This is a Notice of a Public Hearing for a proposed increase in non-ad valorem assessments.​
 
Is there an exemption because I’m disabled or have low income?
There is not an exemption for disabled or low-income persons. All benefiting property pays the assessments.​

The value of my neighbor’s property is higher than mine but the notices show the same proposed amount, why doesn’t he pay more?
The rate for non-ad valorem assessments is not based on the assessed value of a property.​
 
I’ve moved, how do I change my address?
All address changes are processed by the Charlotte County Property Appraiser. You may contact them:
  • By telephone at 941.743.1593
  • By mail or in person at 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1076
  • By email at records@ccappraiser.com​

I received this notice but I no longer own this property.
The assessment remains with the property. If you have sold the property recently, the records had not been updated when the notices were mailed. The records should be updated before the tax bills are mailed. You may look up the current ownership of the property online at www.ccappraiser.com.​

I did a kill and combine of my property, why am I still being assessed for 2 units?
​A kill and combine only combines two or more tax bills to one tax bill. You still have two or more lots and are being assessed for each lot but now there is only one tax bill.

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