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Commission sets preliminary maximum for FY2026 fire assessment after staff outlines rate scenarios
Summary
City staff presented a reworked fire-assessment study using three years of call data and a range of rate scenarios; the commission voted unanimously to set the preliminary maximum assessment for notice purposes.
City staff presented a revised fire-assessment study on July 14 and asked the commission to set a preliminary rate for the FY2026 fire assessment that will appear on property tax notices. Staff said the study used a three‑year call-data window (2022–2024) to smooth anomalies in a single-year analysis and identified the legal maximum residential assessment under the methodology.
An official identified in the record as Mr. Lee (city staff) said the maximum residential amount that could be set under the legal methodology was $419. He told the commission the rate adopted at this meeting would be the high rate that must be noticed on property tax (TRIM) notices and that the commission could reduce the amount later in the budget process but could not increase it.
Staff presented several scenarios and said it did not recommend more than doubling the current assessment in a single year. Commissioners discussed policy goals including an historical internal guideline to have the fire assessment cover roughly half the department’s cost; currently staff said the fire assessment funds about 36% of the department’s budget.
Commissioner Coleman moved to set the preliminary cap and Commissioner Clark seconded. The transcript records the chair stating “setting the max at 04:19” and staff confirming that the figure would be the noticed maximum on TRIM notices; the motion passed unanimously. Staff also said it will send an additional direct mailing to residents with details of the proposed rates.
Why it matters: The fire assessment funds a portion of fire-protection services and is treated separately from general property-tax funding. By setting a high rate for notice, the commission preserves the option to adopt a lower final rate during budget adoption while meeting legal notice requirements.
Details and next steps: Staff will incorporate the chosen preliminary maximum into the TRIM notices and perform required mailings and additional outreach; the commission may adopt a lower final rate before the budget is finalized.
