In Marion County, residents may hire a private hauler or use one of our 18 recycling centers to dispose of household trash. While your hauler fee covers transportation, the Solid Waste Residential Assessment funds the landfill and recycling center operations needed to properly manage community waste.

For nearly 20 years, this fee has remained steady at $87, saving taxpayers more than $166 million by using alternative disposal options like the Heart of Florida Landfill in Sumter County. However, with that contract nearing its end, rising costs, rapid growth, and limited landfill capacity (projected to run out as early as 2031) require a long-term solution.

That’s why the Solid Waste Department is proposing an increase to $215. Even with this adjustment, Marion County’s fee remains among the lowest in Florida. This proposed change will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners during the September budget public hearings (listed at the top of the page).

This investment ensures:

• Reliable, ongoing waste and recycling services
• Proper landfill management and environmental protection
• Long-term capacity for our growing community

The solid waste fee is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU), listed under the Non-Ad Valorem section of your TRIM notice, and is not based on property value.

Marion County Fire Rescue responds to nearly 100,000 calls each year, including medical emergencies, transports, and fires. To keep these vital services operating, funding comes from both property taxes (ad valorem) and a separate fee listed on your TRIM notice, known as the Fire Assessment Fee.

This fee is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) and appears under the Non-Ad Valorem section of your TRIM notice. It is not based on property value.

For 2025, Fire Rescue has proposed increasing the fire assessment fee from $199.91 to $283.97 per dwelling unit. This proposal will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners during the September budget public hearings.

The fire assessment fee is reviewed every five years, taking into account the cost of services and inflation. It helps fund a wide range of critical services, including:

• Fire suppression and prevention
• Firefighter training and readiness
• Technical rescue and hazardous materials response
• Advanced life support and emergency medical services
• Firefighting infrastructure
• Public safety education programs

For context, counties with similar populations charge higher fees: Lake County ($415), Collier County ($304), and Sumter County ($355.58) per dwelling unit.

Even with the proposed adjustment, Marion County’s rates remain competitive while ensuring high-quality fire rescue services continue to protect our community today and for future generations.