Solid Waste Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Non-Ad Valorem assessment?
A non-ad valorem assessment is:
- a fee or charge included on a property tax bill, but unlike ad valorem taxes, it is not based on the property’s value
- a charge imposed on properties for the cost of providing a certain service, such as solid waste collection
What is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU)?
A Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) is a mechanism used by local governments in Florida to provide and fund specific services or infrastructure improvements to a defined group of residents and/or geographic area within unincorporated parts of a county.
The St. Johns County Solid Waste MSBU is used to fund solid waste collection and disposal services to nonexempt residential properties.
Why is my Non-Ad Valorem being increased?
In order to maintain the existing level of service to properties within the Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU), an adjustment to the annual solid waste assessment is required. This increase is necessary to meet contractually required Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments, reflecting inflation and rising costs of labor and materials.
Who is charged the solid waste fee?
The solid waste fee is generally applied to residential properties within the Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) that are provided curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and yard waste.
What happens if I don’t pay the solid waste fee?
As a non-ad valorem assessment, the solid waste fee must be paid in full along with your property tax bill. Failure to pay by the deadline may result in penalties.
I generate little to no waste. Why am I being charged the same as other residential properties?
St. Johns County does not base the solid waste fee on waste volume or property occupancy. Every property owner is assessed the same amount per unit regardless of their property value.
St. Johns County Social Services Division offers support for residents and disabled veterans facing financial hardship and can conduct eligibility determinations for those seeking a solid waste exemption.
To apply, please visit the Social Services Division’s Solid Waste Exemption webpage.
Why should I have to pay separately for solid waste collection?
The Solid Waste MSBU is the only funding source for residential curbside collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste. It is a service fee assessed to those who are provided the service. Property taxes do not fund these services.
I’m being charged for a structure that is not used as a house. What can I do?
If you believe a structure is incorrectly classified, you may contact the Property Appraiser’s Office (PAO) at (904) 827-5500 for a review. If the PAO declines to reclassify the structure, you may contact the Solid Waste Division at (904) 827-6980 to request an inspection of any secondary structures or additional dwellings that may need to be removed.
Will this be a one-time increase, or should we expect any more increases?
Because increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) occur annually, the cost of providing services to County residents also increases each year.
The County plans to implement a regular increase correlated to the CPI to cover these annual increases regularly for consistent coverage of these cost increases.
Would the services I receive now change?
Residential collection days for garbage, recycling, and yard waste, as well as existing services, will remain the same for St. Johns County residents.