Virginia Singer

Hernando County Government

Public Information Manager
20 N. Main Street, Room 263
Brooksville, FL 34601
Office (352) 540-6780
Cell (352) 600-2797
VSinger@HernandoCounty.us
www.HernandoCounty.us
MEDIA RELEASE
October 10, 2015
New funding method for Sheriff to be discussed at Hernando County board meeting
(Brooksville, FL) The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will discuss changing the
method used for funding the Sheriff's Office at its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, starting at 9
a.m., at the Government Center located at 20 N. Main Street in Brooksville.
The proposed alternative funding method is called a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU). A MSTU creates
special taxing districts for funding improvements or services that communities need or desire. This assessment
is calculated on taxable property value and is itemized on property owners' annual TRIM notice. Currently
Hernando County emergency medical services and stormwater management are funded through a MSTU.
Some Florida counties fund their Sheriff's Offices with MSTUs.
The proposed MSTU would not be a new tax. It is simply a redistribution of the current general fund millage
rate. The MSTU would provide the Sheriff's Office with the ability to right size its budget annually without
impacting other general fund budgets, resulting in a less bureaucratic and more transparent process. It will also
allow the Sheriff's Office to have its own reserve fund and keep 100 percent of its ad valorem tax revenue
generated by the MSTU, both of which the Sheriff recently acknowledged were not available to him in previous
budgets.
The Proposed MSTU will reduce the General Fund Millage
General Fund Current Millage
6.9912
Less MSTU Law Enforcement
(4.1929)
Less Dependent District (detention/court security/emergency mgmt.)
Revised General Fund Millage
0.9366

(1.8617)

The BOCC is committed to addressing the funding needs of the Sheriff's Office and to thoroughly explore the
pros and cons of the MSTU. A simple majority (three to two) vote is necessary for it to pass.
The Sheriff's Office announced its concerns regarding the MSTU. Below is a bulleted list of these concerns
followed by an explanation from the BOCC.
*

The MSTU will increase the County Commissioner's taxing limit by $70 Million Dollars

The MSTU would result in a ZERO increase in the taxing limit. If approved, the proposed MSTU taxing limit will
remain at the amount it has always beena maximum of 10 mills per Florida Statute. The BOCC has never
exercised its right to raise the millage rate to its maximum.
*

Prioritizes bureaucracy at the expense of law enforcement

Law enforcement will continue to be funded at the approved millage rate.

*

Unnecessarily complicates the ability for citizens to understand the Sheriff's Budget

A MSTU would bring additional transparency to the Sheriff's budget. In addition, residents would have a better
understanding of the sheriff's needs since it will be broken out on tax bills and TRIM notices.
*

Increases taxes for the vast majority of Hernando County property owners

The MSTU would not increase taxes for residents. If approved, the current millage funding will be transferred
from the current general fund to the newly established MSTU.
*

Requires experts and consultants to implement, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars

Because this MSTU is the same as all current MSTUs there would be no need for outside experts or
consultants to determine the tax rate that would be charged. The Sheriff's budget would determine the millage
rate to be charged.
*

May result in litigation

The BOCC is unaware of any litigation this would cause as it is permitted by Florida State Statutes. The
proposed ordinances associated with the MSTU are legally sound.
*

Increases uncertainty and conflict during budget time

Having an MSTU would allow the Sheriff's millage rate to be adjusted annually, as needed. If a proposed
millage increase is requested, citizens will have the opportunity to provide input.
*

Requires two new unnecessary laws/ordinances

Two ordinances will be presented for the purpose of transparency.

*

Hasty implementation

The BOCC is beginning the MSTU discussion months in advance of its FY2017 budget process. If approved, it
will be effective October of 2016.
*

Difficult to undo

The ordinances are easy to undo. The BOCC simply passes a new ordinance abolishing the MSTU and then
notifies the Property Appraiser's Office.
The proposed MSTU will be discussed at the next BOCC meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, starting
at 9 a.m., at the Government Center located at 20 N. Main Street in Brooksville. You may also watch it live on
Hernando County Government Broadcasting on Bright House Channel 644 or online
at www.HernandoCounty.us.