MSBU Projects Improve Neighborhoods
The Office of Management and Budget manages a program known as Municipal Services Benefit Units which makes it possible for neighborhoods to get special services their community deems will improve quality of life in that area, like street lighting, better drainage and sewer services, and paved roads. The unique part of this program is that the projects are neighborhood driven, as opposed to being county-imposed. The benefiting property owners know better than anyone what will improve their own communities and are willing to pay an assessment on their tax bill after the county finances the project up front. Currently, the most requested improvement is street lighting, but other types of improvements are becoming more common.
In 2016 OMB worked on new projects across eight subdivisions, including one road paving, four street lightings, two sewer/drainage improvements, and one channel dredge. Most are still ongoing but when complete, the intent is that these services will improve the quality of life for approximately 1,550 property owners.
These projects aren’t paid for with local tax dollars so the MSBU program provides a financing mechanism for initial completion and often the ongoing maintenance needs. While OMB makes the financing possible, accomplishing the work is only possible through the expertise and hard work of other county departments including engineering, traffic and marine resources.