Resident proposes countywide 'Brevard EMS 1' funded by 1¢ sales tax

A resident presenter proposed creation of “Brevard EMS 1,” a countywide emergency medical services system funded by a voter‑approved 1¢ sales tax and governed by a new county board.

John Dacko, who identified himself as a Brevard resident, described a model he said is “inspired by the nationally recognized King County Medic One program” and would coordinate ALS ambulances and standardized protocols countywide. “This system would be funded by a 1¢ sales tax, ensuring that paramedic training, salaries, equipment, and operations are fully supported without burdening local budgets,” Dacko said.

Dacko proposed a governing board to allocate revenues and said the model could preserve local hiring and fire‑department staffing while centralizing dispatch, training and transport services. He suggested partnerships for paramedic training with the Florida Institute of Technology.

Commissioners and county counsel discussed statutory constraints. County counsel said a voter‑approved sales tax can be used for fire and EMS but that state law requires the new sales tax revenue to replace other local funding sources (assessments, general fund) rather than simply add net new revenue. Staff noted an existing statutory formula for distributing county sales tax revenue and stressed the need for interlocal agreements with cities or statutory allocation rules.

Commissioners expressed interest in exploring the concept; some noted past models (Seminole County, King County) and advised that any ballot measure and local agreements must comply with state statute and voter‑approval timing.