Leon County approves moving fire rescue charge to property tax after heated debate over renters and landlords

Leon County commissioners voted to change the method of collecting the fire rescue charge in the unincorporated area and to certify the fire rescue assessment roll for collection on property tax bills.

The board adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 7, Section 7-44 of the Leon County Code to require that non-governmental properties in the unincorporated area be billed by the county through the uniform method of collection on the annual property tax statement rather than being charged on City of Tallahassee utility bills or through quarterly billing. The motion to adopt the ordinance passed 5-2. Later in the meeting the board also adopted a resolution certifying the fire rescue assessment and fee roll and directing submittal of the roll to the tax collector; that resolution passed by a 6-1 vote.

Why this matters: County staff and multiple commissioners said the change is intended to create a single, uniform collection method across the unincorporated area and to respond to court decisions that have questioned collecting fire charges on utility bills. Opponents warned the change…