Notice of Special Public Meeting: Fire Protection Special Assessment

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND HEARING TO REIMPOSE AND PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF FIRE PROTECTION SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners of Wakulla County, Florida will conduct a special meeting and public hearing to consider the continued imposition of annual fire protection special assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, and future fiscal years to fund the provision of fire protection services within the boundaries of the Wakulla County Municipal Service Benefit Unit for Fire Protection Services, which includes all of the unincorporated areas of the County and the incorporated areas of the cities of St. Marks and Sopchoppy, and to authorize collection of such assessment on the tax bill.

The special meeting and hearing will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 9, 2024, in the Board of County Commission Chambers, 29 Arran Road, Crawfordville, Florida, for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed assessments. All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing and to file written objections with the County within 20 days of this notice. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the Executive Assistant to the County Administrator at (850) 926-0919, at least two (2) business days prior to the date of the hearing.

The assessment for each parcel of property will be based upon each parcel's classification and the total number of billing units attributed to that parcel. The following table reflects the proposed fire protection assessment rate schedule.

FIRE PROTECTION ASSESSMENTS

Residential Property Use Category	Rate Per Dwelling Unit
Residential	$248.00
Non-Residential Property Use Categories	Rate Per Square Foot
Commercial	$0.20
Industrial/Warehouse	$0.02
Institutional	$0.23
Vacant Land Property Use Category	Rate Per Acre
Vacant Property	$1.44

Copies of the Ordinance, the Amended and Restated Initial Assessment Resolution for Fire Protection Services, the Amended and Restated Final Assessment Resolution for Fire Protection Services, the Preliminary Rate Resolution, and the updated Fire Protection Assessment Roll are available for inspection at the Office of the County Administrator, 3093 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, Florida.

The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill to be mailed in November 2024, as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which may result in a loss of title. Unless proper steps are initiated in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure relief within 20 days from the date of County's action at the above hearing (including the method of apportionment, the rate of assessment and the imposition of assessments), such action shall be the final adjudication of the issues presented.

If you have any questions, please contact the office of the County Administrator at(850)926-0919, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or visit our website at www.mywakulla.com for additional information.