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Advisory board backs $75 fire assessment increase to fund new stations and equipment
Summary
The board supported the city manager’s recommendation to move to full cost recovery for the fire assessment, a $75 annual per‑unit increase aimed at capital projects including EMS Substation 88 and Fire Station 13.
Fort Lauderdale’s Budget Advisory Board signaled support for a proposed increase to the city’s fire assessment that staff says would generate about $10.4 million and fund fire capital projects.
Staff told the board the assessment is being raised to full cost recovery to reflect operational changes and capital needs. “We’re recommending a full cost recovery,” Laura Reese said during the presentation, describing a consultant’s study of effective response units and operations.
Why it matters: staff said the additional assessment revenue would be directed toward capital investments including EMS Substation 88, the Heron Garage Substation and Fire Station 13 — projects staff and the manager described as long‑deferred priorities for the department.
Impact for property owners: staff presented an example that the average single‑family taxable value in Fort Lauderdale is $641,000 and estimated the combined impacts of proposed changes would be about $183 a year for an average single‑family homeowner, or roughly $15.25 a month. Staff also noted a 15% stormwater assessment increase that would add about $49 annually for the typical property.
Board action: the advisory board supported the manager’s recommendation on the fire assessment during its meeting and moved an endorsement to the commission for consideration as part of the FY‑26 budget process.
Details and caveats: staff said the recommended increase reflects operational changes detected in a full cost recovery study — for example, staffing changes in EMS responses that alter how effective response units are counted. The board and staff discussed how assessment charges apply per residential unit (condo units are billed per unit). Staff also noted future operating costs associated with new or reopened stations.
Next steps: staff will present the assessment change, supporting study and recommended ordinance language to the city commission as part of the formal budget and rate‑setting process.
