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 raised by nearly 1100%." Several Pensacola Beach business owners and managers said that outcome would be unsustainable for local restaurants and commercial landlords.

Speakers from the beach sector pressed for a countywide, consistent MSBU that would spread the cost across all properties. Mike Penzone, owner of Papa's Pizza on the Boardwalk, told commissioners, "If you're going to do something, you need to do it across the board. Make it a fair playing field for everybody." Sharon Regan, who said she has managed commercial property on Pensacola Beach for 35 years, highlighted the impact on businesses: she said current commercial fire MSBU charges of about $4,771 per year for a particular building would climb toward $55,000 under the proposal and said, "That is a burden that I don't know that we can spread across our 3 tenants and keep them." Robert Gleim of Homestar Restaurant Group said the department needs additional pay and staffing but urged a phased or smaller initial increase so businesses can adjust.

County staff and fire leadership defended the request as addressing staffing shortfalls and county growth. Wes Marino, county administrator, and Eric Gilmore (staff member) described past investments in apparatus and stations and said the MSBU increase would pay recurring operating costs and personnel for new companies rather than the capital cost of new buildings (which staff said would be funded mainly from local option sales tax). Eric Gilmore summarized the fire service's staffing and operational history, saying the county now operates about 21 stations and has transitioned from a largely volunteer system to one with approximately "a little over 200" career field personnel, plus a reduced but active volunteer contingent. Fire Chief Harrison emphasized training and multi-role responsibilities for firefighters, stating they perform firefighting, EMS support and technical rescue work and that increased staffing would target areas with poor coverage such as Paradise Beach and parts of the north end.

Commissioners exchanged several specific questions: how long any increase would sustain new staffing (staff said a break-even projection to 2032 under the current proposal if enacted in 2026, assuming the planned stations and a 3% annual raise), whether the proposal funded staffing or capital (staff said MSBU funds would be for staffing/operations and capital would come from LOST), and whether converting to an MSTU would change the distribution of the burden (staff said conversion is possible but would require recalculation and would exclude certain nonprofit entities per statutory treatment).

The board did not vote on a rate. Instead commissioners asked county administrator and budget staff to develop alternative options (including a combined countywide MSBU proposal and an MSTU conversion analysis) and to return with specifics before any ordinance is drafted. Staff reminded the board of the July 1 administrative deadline for certifying special assessments that would appear on fall tax notices.

The discussion drew widespread public turnout: seven speakers signed up for the MSBU item, most representing Pensacola Beach businesses and residents who stressed the island's economic contribution and cautioned against a single-step, large increase for beach commercial property. Commissioners expressed bipartisan support for improved firefighter pay and staffing but differed on the pace and structure of assessment changes. Several commissioners recommended phasing increases to reduce immediate hardship for residents and small businesses.

What's next: Staff will return with draft ordinance language and financial schedules reflecting one or more of the options discussed (combined countywide MSBU, phased increases, and an MSTU conversion), and the board indicated a desire to consider those options at an upcoming meeting ahead of the July 1 assessment deadline.