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Annexation Provides:

> Improved Government Efficiency

> More State Funding

> Greater Representation

> Influence

For the Property Owner:

> Utility Costs

> Fees

> Taxes

> Services

Contact:
Don Land  (321) 383-5841
Keith Cunningham (321) 383-5823

Until September 30, 2005, the City has removed all fees typically collected for voluntary annexation (see petition for voluntary annexation), such as the collection of the application fee, comprehensive plan amendment fee as related to annexation petition, and associated legal advertising fees. This saves property owners up to $1,900. The removal of fees ends October 1, 2003.

There are two methods for annexation: referendum and voluntary.

Referendum: A referendum allows that all registered voters in a geographic area vote on the issue of annexation. A simple majority (50% plus one vote) prevails, and the annexation becomes effective. The voting may be at the polling place, or by mail. The effective date may be immediate, or up to a year after the vote.

Petition for Voluntary annexation allows the property owner to individually decide if he or she wants their property to become part of a municipality. The property owner signs and submits a petition requesting voluntary annexation to the municipality. There is no limitation on the number of properties involved in this process. It can involve one parcel or several at the same time. (Link to more information)

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The irregular boundaries between the City and the County require a duplication of services for the outlying areas in and around the City boundaries. One house could be in the City, served by a City police officer, City fire truck and a City garbage truck, while the house next door could be contacting the County for police, fire and other services. The City and County are spending the same amount of monies for the same services to the same area.

Eliminating the irregular boundaries eliminates confusion as to whether a particular parcel should be receiving services from the City or the County, and removes the need for duplicate services to be provided to the same area. Fire and police departments can determine whether calls for service are within their respective jurisdictions.

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State Revenue Sharing funds are allocated on the basis of population to counties and cities. The formula for distribution to cities relies more heavily on population. Therefore more funding per person is distributed to Titusville for municipal residents than Brevard County. That means more funding from the State actually come to the community.

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As a Titusville citizen, you will have a direct voice on issues that directly impact the community you live, work and play. Your elected officials, five City Council members, and various city officials are easily accessible, while still maintaining your privilege of voting for your District 1 county commissioner.

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Annexation increases a city's size and population, raising its level of political influence, its prestige and its ability to attract desirable commercial development. It may also increase its ability to attract grant assistance.

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Utility rates are lower inside the City of Titusville. The out-of-city surcharge for sewer will no longer be charged, reducing your sewer charge 20%. The 10% surcharge for water will also be eliminated, along with the fire hydrant fee.

The utility and franchise fees will increase slightly. The franchise fees for electricity remains the same for the City and the County at 10% of the billing amount. For cable, the franchise fee will decrease by 1%, and the phone will increase 2%, or an estimated 0.70 cents for a $35.00 monthly phone bill.

Brevard County does not presently charge a utility tax but is currently looking into initiating a fee. Titusville charges a 10% utility tax for electricity and a 7% utility tax for phone service. These fees can be seen on each utilities monthly bill.

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The property tax that is paid to Brevard County would be replaced with the City of Titusville's property tax. The City of Titusville property tax per $1000 of assessed value is approximately $22.30 and $19.50 in Brevard Count. This is a difference of $2.80 per $1000 of assessed value. If property is currently assessed at $70,000 and $25,000 homestead exemption is claimed, unincorporated area residents pay Brevard County $877.72 in ad valorem taxes, and City of Titusville residents pay $1,070.70, a difference of $126.06. When annexed into Titusville ad valorem taxes increase 12.6%.

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• Titusville charges a $44.09 annual storm water fee for each single-family residential unit.
• Rates for wastewater or sewer are 20% lower for city residents. Out-of-city customers are charged a 20% surcharge for wastewater.
• Water service rates are approximately the same for Brevard residents and Titusville city residents
• Upon annexation, the franchise fees will change. The franchise fee for electricity will remain the same. Telecommunications, phone and cable, will increase 1%. The franchise fee for natural gas will increase 6%.
• There is no separate MSTU assessment for Titusville residents for fire control, law enforcement, and road maintenance. These services are provided through general revenue collected by the City.

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• Street sweeping is carried out on a regular maintenance schedule, sweeping 328.5 lane miles of streets in 6 cycles per year.
• The Solid Waste Division is responsible for the collection and removal of garbage and recycling of items within the city limits of Titusville. Services include twice a week household garbage pickup, once a week curbside recycling pickup, bulky item (junk) pickup every other week on Wednesday, and yard waste pickup.
• Titusville's Water Resources Department provides water and wastewater to most of the urban unincorporated area around Titusville, as well as City residents.
• While the level of expertise and policing skills at the Titusville Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office are comparable, the City of Titusville is able to offer better response times and more comprehensive police coverage of the area. The Titusville Police Department has 82 sworn officers with 22 square miles to patrol.
• The average police zone size for Titusville is 3.62 square miles. This enables the law enforcement response to be more rapid inside Titusville and provides additional officers for support in close proximity.
• Titusville Fire and Emergency Services provides advanced life support and fire suppression from the City's four fire stations, strategically placed throughout the City. Their average response time is approximately 4 minutes, with additional resources for support in close proximity. 
• Titusville's life safety codes (building, fire, etc.) and zoning code enforcement staff have a much higher density in Titusville, and providing a better response rate. Typically, code enforcement complaints are dealt with in 48 hours of the initial complaint. This means abandoned vehicles should be dealt with quickly. The staffing levels are similar in Titusville and Brevard County, with a smaller service area served by the City of Titusville. (25 square miles for the City, compared to over 858 square miles in the County)
• The Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating for fire insurance in Titusville is 4 with 1 being the best. The unincorporated area has a rating of 4 to 9, depending on the number of fire stations, equipment and staffing for each area. This rating affects the insurance rates paid by businesses and homeowners. The lower the ISO rating makes insurance rates lower in Titusville.

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