Sanford commissioners advance fire-assessment ordinance after heated public hearing

Sanford commissioners voted Aug. 11 to approve on second reading an ordinance described at the meeting as ordinance 48 31 to establish a fire-protection special assessment and send notices to property owners; a final decision whether to impose the assessment will come at a Sept. 8 meeting. The city estimated the assessment would generate about $2.3 million over five years to help pay for fire-department costs, and staff said the finance director identified roughly $2.5 million in capital items not included in the current budget, including a fire engine that the mayor said costs about $1.2 million.

The ordinance would authorize a non-ad valorem assessment levied on properties the city finds specially benefited by fire protection and would make unpaid assessments a lien on the property. City Attorney Green said the draft notice must include statutory elements; commissioners and staff said the notice draft is attached to the ordinance as Appendix B and that the mailing will follow the required statutory format.

Why it matters: City officials and…