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Residents tell commissioners Almirante Fire District’s rooftop‑count assessments have driven large increases in fire protection charges
Summary
Residents from Laurel Hill reported large, sometimes quadruple, increases in fire protection assessments tied to the Almirante Fire District’s use of rooftop counts that include outbuildings; commissioners and staff urged homeowners to pursue state representatives and county assistance.
Speakers at public comment on Aug. 19 told the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners that the Almirante Fire District’s method of counting rooftops — using GIS and parcel mapping to add outbuildings and other structures — has produced steep increases in fire protection assessments for some property owners.
Jeremy McVay said residents in Laurel Hill discovered their assessment notices counted barns, carports and other outbuildings as additional units, producing bills that in a few cases rose “400%.” McVay said the department’s process relied on map counts and mailed notices that some recipients discard because trim notices are not a bill. “They build him for every shed on the property... You cannot assess something unevenly across the community,” McVay told commissioners. He said the fire department reported surpluses of about $2,030,000 in recent years and warned that assessments could produce larger budgets next year.
Chairman Maynard suggested McVay contact his state representative; McVay said he had reached out to Representative Manny (last name not specified). Commissioners indicated they had heard constituents’ concerns and suggested residents pursue state legislative remedies and discuss options with county staff. No formal county action was taken; the item was raised during public comment so commissioners did not vote.
Ending: Commissioners advised residents to document discrepancies, engage the fire district for adjustments and contact state legislators; staff said municipal and county options are being considered informally.
