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Residents and officials raise concerns about proposed fire assessment increase and EMS capacity; county highlights community paramedicine and new medication‑ass
Summary
Residents and officials questioned the impact of housing growth and a proposed fire assessment increase on EMS calls and affordability for fixed‑income residents; county staff described unit-hour utilization reviews, community paramedicine success, and a new medication‑assisted therapy program.
During public comment and a staff Q&A at the March 18 meeting, Bradford County residents and elected officials raised concerns about the county’s proposed fire‑assessment increase and whether local emergency medical services can absorb growing demand tied to new housing and RV‑park expansions.
Gene Melvin, mayor of Brooker, told the board he surveyed residents—many on fixed incomes—and opposed increasing the fire assessment from $84 to $167. "These folks on fixed incomes are struggling," Melvin said, urging the board to keep the assessment at $84 and noting the town council had supported the lower figure on a recent first reading.
In response to a question directed to Chief Carter about historical medical-call volumes and current capacity, staff said accurate year‑over‑year figures would require pulling data, and that the county uses unit‑hour utilization metrics to evaluate EMS workload and staffing needs. Staff noted a new fire station in Speedville provides advanced life support response from fire apparatus when an ambulance is not immediately available, and that the county reduced nonurgent interfacility transfers to prioritize urgent calls.
County staff also said the community paramedicine program has reduced repeat calls to the same addresses, easing demand. Separately, staff announced the county has started a medication‑assisted therapy program through Lieutenant Weeks’ CRP program and reported the first dosing patient had been treated that day.
On assessment of RV parks, a county staff member explained that Florida statute treats RV parks like other commercial nonresidential properties for assessment purposes; permanent RV spaces and square footage are assessed and any permanent structures (mobile homes, single‑family dwellings, commercial buildings) on the site are assessed separately.
Ending: Commissioners received public comment urging caution on assessment increases for fixed‑income residents and noted staff would continue to monitor EMS unit‑hour utilization and program impacts; no vote on the fire assessment was recorded on March 18.
