Attending the Radio Road MSTU Advisory Committee's monthly meeting on September 15, 2009, was an "eye opener" for me.

I learned that the MSTU line on my Notice of Proposed Property Taxes for 2009 and prior years, actually consists of mandatory funding for Collier County parks & landscaping (Referred to as Fund 111) and Fund 158 - The Radio Road MSTU.

Each year the millage rates are re-evaluated. The Radio Road MSTU rate is set by the Advisory Committee with input from Collier County officials. The 2009 Millage rate for the Radio Road is .2521. The original MSTU agreement states this MSTU can be raised to .5 . To determine what portion of the MSTU line shown on one's proposed taxes is attributable to Radio Road, one multiplies the millage rate by that year's taxable value for the property. My 2009 taxable rate is $165,467 which translates to $41.71 for the Radio Road MSTU.

The Radio Road Advisory Committee consists of 5 members. Countyside was not represented on the Advisory Board until late last year when John Weber petition to serve on the Committee. I understand a number of communities included in the Radio Road MSTU are not represented including Fox Fire GCC.

Second thing that I learned is the Radio Road MSTU landscaping improvements are not completed. Planning is underway to complete landscaping and curbing WESTWARD from Livingston Road to AIrport Pulling. It appears this may take another 3 or more years.