Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coral Springs commission approves $21 fire assessment to fund firefighter hires and three-person rigs
Summary
The commission unanimously adopted a fire assessment that increases the residential assessment by $21 to fund 12 new firefighter positions and move toward three-person staffing on rescues and trucks.
The Coral Springs City Commission on Monday adopted Resolution No. 2025-042 to approve the fiscal 2026 fire services assessment, a measure staff said will add staffing and support a shift to three-person rigs. The motion, moved by Commissioner Sarah and seconded by Mayor Scott Brook, passed unanimously. Commissioner Sarah said the increase is intended to improve response capability and competitiveness for hiring. "Three to a truck is important," Commissioner Sarah said, adding that the change will improve safety and medical response and help the city recruit in a region where other departments already staff three-person rigs. Staff told the commission the request includes 12 firefighter positions split between the fire fund and the general fund; those hires are part of a larger package of 25 new positions proposed citywide. Finance staff noted the adopted $21 residential increase is well under the maximum assessment cap cited in the fire assessment study ($458.23). Staff presented a summary of the fire fund showing roughly 17,000 calls in the prior calendar year and compared Coral Springs assessments with other Broward County municipalities. City Manager Catherine Givens supported the staffing change as a needed step to remain competitive in the regional workforce market. The resolution was adopted with a unanimous vote; the measure authorizes the assessment roll and implements the fee for the coming fiscal year. The action followed a staff presentation and a public hearing in which no audience members spoke on the item.
