The Town Council on Oct. 21 adopted Resolution 109-25, a procedural action that notifies county and state officials of Jupiter's potential use of the uniform method to collect a non‑ad valorem assessment to help fund Jupiter Fire Rescue. The vote was unanimous.

Finance Director Scott Reynolds told council the resolution does not impose any assessment. "I just want to reemphasize what we're doing this evening is not adopting anything as far as a nonaborum assessment," Reynolds said. Instead, he said, the action satisfies Florida statutory timing requirements so the town may later consider the assessment and use the uniform collection method via the property tax bill if council chooses.

Planned schedule and public process: Reynolds described a data‑gathering and modeling timeline: staff and consultants are completing an analysis through winter; a rate model and a council workshop are planned for February 2026; preliminary assessment roles and notifications are expected in May and June 2026; a public hearing to consider adoption and certification is projected for July 2026; and, if adopted, the assessment would first appear on tax bills in November 2026 for collection beginning Oct. 1, 2026 (the date staff used for planning purposes).

Scope and limits explained at the hearing: Reynolds emphasized that a non‑ad valorem assessment can only fund fire‑related expenses and not emergency medical services. He also said the town's goal is to replace part of the current MSTU line item shown on property tax bills with a lower assessment amount, combined with other revenue options, potentially reducing overall cost to taxpayers. Council members requested that communications materials clearly explain that the assessment, if adopted, would replace the current Jupiter MSTU line item and that detailed modeling show any estimated savings.

Communications: Sean Reed, director of community relations, said an informational webpage and FAQ about the study had been posted to the town website and that staff will provide additional outreach, education and public hearings prior to any decision.

Next steps: With Resolution 109-25 adopted, staff will complete the consultant's rate modeling and host workshops and public hearings in early to mid‑2026 before any council decision to adopt an assessment.