Our Community
How Vanderbilt Beach funds its own beautification, and how VBRA keeps residents represented on the issues that shape our community.
The Vanderbilt Beach Beautification Municipal Services Taxing Unit, the MSTU, was created by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners on May 24, 2001 under County Ordinance 75-14.
Petitioned by VBPOA on behalf of Conners Vanderbilt Beach Estates, the MSTU lets our community levy a small, dedicated property millage and set it aside for local beautification. In its first year the millage was capped at half a mil per year. Today it is determined each year through a budget, based on estimated expenses, and approved by the County Commission as part of the regular budget cycle.
A five member advisory board, made up of residents appointed by the County Commission and serving staggered four year terms, directs how MSTU funds are spent. The board works directly with the County Manager, and other county staff join on a per project basis.
Meetings are open to the public and are currently held on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Notices are published on the Collier County website, and public records are kept of every meeting and decision. Current MSTU boundaries and members are available on the county website.
The MSTU replaced the Vanderbilt Beach Beautification Trust Fund, which VBRA established in March of 1997. That fund relied solely on voluntary donations and was never enough to cover even minimum maintenance, like irrigation and water system repairs. The MSTU put the work on stable footing.
Beyond beautification, VBRA keeps residents informed and represented on the decisions that shape our community. When large scale projects like One Naples threatened the character and scale of Vanderbilt Beach, VBRA organized residents, presented at County Commission hearings, and made sure our concerns were heard. Those working relationships with elected officials and county staff are how our collective voice carries weight.