Escambia County commissioners debate higher MSBU to fund fire staffing as beach businesses warn of steep hikes

Escambia County commissioners spent the bulk of their April 17 meeting discussing a proposed increase to the county's fire MSBU (municipal services benefit unit) intended to pay for additional fire staffing and operational costs, but they did not adopt any new tax rate. Commissioners directed staff to return with detailed options, including a countywide combined MSBU proposal and a possible conversion to an MSTU, and noted a July 1 deadline if a special assessment is to appear on fall tax bills.

The discussion matters because the increase would fund more career firefighters, help open and staff new stations in high-growth areas and could lower Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings for neighborhoods with poor coverage, which in turn affects homeowner insurance costs. Public commenters representing Pensacola Beach businesses told the board the draft MSBU rate would be a disproportionate burden on island commercial properties.

Commissioner Hoffberger (Escambia County commissioner) framed the issue as one of fairness and public safety, saying, "Public safety is a non negotiable. Every resident and every business owner deserves reliable fire protection, and they deserve to be taxed fairly." She warned that under the draft proposal "businesses on the beach would see their fire tax…