Fire chief seeks flat operating budget but requests $125.3M FY26 program amid rising equipment and labor costs

Seminole County’s fire department told commissioners its FY26 budget request is $125.3 million, driven largely by personnel and capital costs and funded almost entirely through the department’s MSTU, department leaders said.

Budget office staff Tim Jekes said the department asked for a larger transfer but that 96.3% of the FY26 request is funded through the fire MSTU and 3.7% through the general fund. Fire Chief Matt Kinley told the board the department would enter FY26 with 580 full‑time positions and no proposed FTE increases.

Chief Kinley outlined inflationary and sector‑wide cost pressures: vehicle prices, construction and personal protective equipment have all risen sharply in recent years. "When you're looking from 2021 to 2025, construction costs for us have increased by almost 30%... a fire truck from 600,000 to 924, almost a 53% increase," he said, and noted that bunker gear and other items have seen substantial increases.

Staff also presented potential revenue adjustments the department could pursue. Kinley said the county carries about 2,500 emergency medical transports annually from residents who live outside the county. "If we were to increase the transport fee to those individuals even by a $100 … with our 70% collection rate ... we could increase revenue by $175,000," he said. The department also proposed updating per‑mile reimbursement to about $13.73 to align with regional averages.

Capital projects discussed included station construction and renovation (Station 25 and Station 23 were highlighted), an expected delivery of a four‑wheel‑drive tactical tanker for rural responses and a $250,000 traffic‑attenuator/blocking vehicle to protect crews on high‑speed roadways. Kinley also described plans to rebuild living quarters at the training center with a block structure designed for long‑term use and to continue station security upgrades.

Chiefs warned of a pending change in personal protective equipment standards and state legislation that could drive further costs. The department flagged House Bill 929 — described in the meeting as a firefighter safety bill with multiple provisions, including work‑schedule recommendations — and said implementation could require multi‑year staffing and budget adjustments. Kinley said transitioning to a 42‑hour model would typically require hiring additional staff and could take years to implement.

Commissioners praised the department’s accreditation and operational performance and pressed for detail on how investments would affect reserves and carryforward balances. Kinley said he and staff will return with construction scheduling and cost escalators for capital planning.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate fire department capital and fee proposals into the county FY26 budget work plan for board review and return cost and timing details for station projects and gear replacement obligations.