Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
West Palm Beach keeps fire service assessment fee rates unchanged, sets Aug. 18 public hearing
Summary
The City Commission approved a resolution to leave the fire service assessment fee rates unchanged for fiscal year 2026, directed a final public hearing for Aug. 18, 2025, and discussed staffing, a pending SAFER grant application and the fund's shrinking share of suppression costs.
The City Commission of West Palm Beach voted Thursday to approve Resolution 153-25, keeping the city's fire service assessment fee rates unchanged for fiscal year 2026 and setting a final public hearing on the assessment roll for Aug. 18, 2025.
City Chief Financial Officer Bridgette Souffrant said the proposed fire assessment fee "will remain unchanged at the same rates since fiscal year 20 20," and that the city is budgeting just over $8 million in revenue from the fee while using cash carryforward for one-time items.
The assessment is a recurring special assessment on real property established to help fund fire services; Souffrant told the commission the fee pays for portions of facilities, equipment, personnel and professional services. She also said the fund now covers only about 15% of fire suppression costs, with the general fund covering the remaining 85%.
Fire Chief Diane Maddie said the four new firefighters added to the fire…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
