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FY 2027 Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rate Increase for Spring Hill Street Lighting Municipal Service Benefit Unit and Establishment of Future Maximum Rate and Associated Resolution
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
The Spring Hill Lighting District was created by Ordinance No. 83-10 as a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU), later amended by Ordinance 90-07 to a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) and includes those properties in the original platted Spring Hill Subdivision. The lighting installation was developed in phases by the Spring Hill Civic Association in conjunction with the County and utility provider, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC). The first two phases were to install lighting on major and secondary roads at regular intervals, and the third phase added lighting to intersections. Thereafter the intent of additional lighting was to be placed in areas where there were curves, cul-de-sacs, long stretches between lights or areas where it was dangerous to drive.
Over the life of the MSBU, the district has requested on average 50 additional streetlights annually, thereby increasing the annual operating cost. Concurrently with the annual lighting additions, WREC is gradually phasing out older Sodium Vapor fixtures at a monthly cost of $7.68 per light and upgrading lights to a Light Emitting Diode (LED) style Cobra fixture at a monthly cost of $10.13 per light for both replacement and additions within the district. There are currently 4,467 streetlights paid for by the MSBU, of which 3,503 are sodium vapor and 964 are LED. In 2025, WREC increased their rates on average by 6% for lighting and 10% for poles. Additionally, Property Appraiser cost allocation fees increased from 2% to 3% beginning FY 2026. As a result of these increases, the annual operational expenses have risen beyond the annual assessment revenue received, thus diminishing reserves. To adjust for the increase, the County limited the 2025 allowable lighting additions to no ...
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