Special Assessments are the result of improvements being made for roads, water, maintaining waterways and drainage within a defined area.  This area is referred to as a Municipal Service Benefit Unit or more commonly referred to as an MSBU.  MSBU's are established by the Board of County Commissioners.  If you are interested in establishing an MSBU, you must start with the Charlotte County Engineering Department located at 7000 Florida Street in Punta Gorda.  You may reach this office at (941) 575-3604.

Special Assessments are collected in two basic methods:

• The amount of the special assessment is collected through The Tax Collector and shown on your tax bill annually.

• For smaller projects, the amount is collected through the Finance Division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.  All checks should be made payable to the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners.

In cases where the assessment is collected through the Clerk's Finance Division, the following generally takes place:

 After the completion of the project, total costs are compiled and a final assessment roll is prepared by the Public Works Finance Division. A final public hearing is held to approve the assessment roll.  Upon approval of the assessment roll, the Public Works Finance Division issues an invoice to each property owner within the MSBU district.  Interest accrues on the principal balance at the rate which was established in the special assessment.  The length of payment term varies depending on the size of the project.

 The Clerk's Finance Division, whose telephone number is (941) 743-1413, will be glad to answer any questions concerning these types of assessments, which they are presently collecting, and the balance of any liens due. 

After a lien has been paid, the County Attorney’s Office through the Finance Division prepares a Satisfaction of Lien, which must be signed by the County Administrator.  This Satisfaction is then recorded in the official records of Charlotte County, serving as a release of the special assessment lien.  A copy of the recorded document is forwarded to the property owner who has made the payment.