Marion County homeowners will see steep jumps in their annual bills after commissioners voted to more than double the solid waste fee and raise fire assessments by more than 40 percent. The increases, adopted Sept. 10 after hours of debate, drew sharp warnings from residents who said fixed-income seniors could be pushed to the brink of losing their homes.
The board also renewed the county’s stormwater assessment, keeping that fee level for the coming year. The actions, required annually under Florida law, certify the county’s non-ad valorem assessment rolls for collection by the tax collector beginning October 1, 2025.
The hearing covered three assessments: stormwater services and stormwater management programs, the residential solid waste services municipal service benefit unit, and the fire rescue services. Commissioners unanimously approved the fire and stormwater rates but split 3–2 on the solid waste increase, which proved the most contentious decision of the evening.
The stormwater services assessment remained unchanged at $15 per residence. The fee was first authorized under federal clean water mandates and supports education and maintenance efforts, including sinkhole management. The program’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2025/26 is $4,026,722 after required reserves are deducted. Officials project the unchanged rate will generate just over $4.2 million in revenue.
The residential solid waste fee increased from $87 to $215 per unit, the first adjustment since 2008. The change is expected to generate $36.5 million for the solid waste department, with a tentative budget of $34.7 million after reserves. According to staff, the department is spending more than it collects, largely due to rising costs associated with disposal and hauling.
The assessment covers 18 county recycling centers, transfer stations, and the Baseline Landfill, along with the cost of transporting waste to the Heart of Florida Landfill in Lake Panasoffkee. That landfill, which has accepted Marion County’s waste since 2008, is expected to reach capacity by 2031. County staff presented options that could include expanding the Baseline site or developing new facilities, all of which will require significant investment.
Public comments during the hearing reflected widespread concern over the size of the increase. Several residents warned that the higher rate could force fixed-income homeowners to make difficult choices. Others questioned whether new residential growth is contributing proportionately, saying that parts of the county have seen heavy concentrations of new housing.
Commissioners unanimously approved higher fire rescue assessments. The residential rate rose from about $200 to $284 per unit, a change projected to collect $56 million in revenue. The tentative budget for fire services is $54.8 million after reserves.
The assessment applies across residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and land categories. For residential properties, the demand component rose from $49.17 to $76.53 per unit, while the availability component increased from $150.74 to $207.44 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU). Similar increases applied to commercial, warehouse, and institutional properties, with charges based on square footage or acreage.
Fire Rescue Chief James Banta explained that the assessment is necessary to sustain operations countywide, including training and equipment. Officials emphasized that while every home pays the same residential rate regardless of size, non-residential and land categories are calculated by different measures such as square footage or acreage.
The board’s actions are required annually under Section 197.3632 of Florida Statutes. Counties must adopt and certify non-ad valorem assessment rolls before Sept. 15 each year. Property owners were notified in their Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices, with inserts reflecting any changes.
The resolutions adopted on Sept. 10 establish the final rates, approve the assessment rolls, and authorize their collection on tax bills beginning Oct. 1. The assessments are liens equal in rank to property taxes and remain in effect until paid. Exemptions apply to certain government, institutional, and agricultural properties as outlined by law.
The hearing drew strong reactions from residents and commissioners alike. Many public comments focused on the pace of growth and whether new development is covering its share of the costs. Some citizens said new subdivisions have overwhelmed existing infrastructure, leaving longtime residents to absorb the financial impact.
Supporters of the fee increases said the county’s long delay in adjusting rates left few alternatives. They argued that stable funding now will prevent larger jumps later, particularly in solid waste where landfill capacity is a looming issue. Opponents countered that such a steep increase in a single year places an unfair burden on households already facing rising costs of living.
The final votes left stormwater fees unchanged, solid waste assessments more than doubled, and fire rescue fees substantially higher. For residents of unincorporated Marion County, the bills arriving this fall will reflect the county’s attempt to keep pace with services stretched thin by years of rapid expansion.
