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Winter Garden commission adopts preliminary fire-assessment study, will mail notices before final decision
Summary
The City Commission voted to adopt a preliminary study that calculates maximum fire-assessment rates and to authorize mailing of required notices; the study sets maximum residential and nonresidential rates but does not implement charges.
The Winter Garden City Commission on a unanimous vote approved a preliminary resolution adopting a consultant'prepared fire-assessment study and authorizing staff to mail required notices ahead of a later final decision.
The study, presented by Megan Kemp, a consultant with Denish, calculates the portion of the fire department budget that may be recovered through a non-ad valorem fire assessment and establishes maximum rates by land-use and building size. "Fire assessments are a type of non ad valorem special assessment to fund the capital and operating costs associated with provision of fire protection and first responder services," Kemp said.
The study found the department'requested budget to be about $13.8 million and identified an assessable budget of roughly $12.4 million after excluding advanced-life-support costs and dedicated revenues, with an estimated collectible portion of about $11.5 million (about 80'85% of the full budget), Kemp said. The methodology allocates 70% of assessable costs across units to recognize readiness and availability and 30% based on measured utilization of resources by land use.
Under the study'methodology the illustrative maximum residential rates ranged from about $333 for smaller homes to about $519 for homes 3,500 square feet or larger. Nonresidential rates were shown in wide tiers; for example, a small commercial parcel (up to 2,000 sq. ft.) was shown at about $550 while very large parcels (300,000+ sq. ft.) were shown at substantially higher maximums. The consultant emphasized these are maximums established by the study, not rates the commission must adopt.
City staff told commissioners the resolution being considered would allow the city to mail the first-class notices required by law and to hold community meetings before returning with a final recommendation. Staff said tentative community engagement meetings were scheduled for July 22 and July 29. The commission adopted the preliminary resolution with a unanimous voice vote.
The study excludes costs associated with advanced-life-support transport and related services, consistent with legal requirements the consultant outlined. Officials said the final decision on any assessment amount could be the full study amount, a lower amount, or zero; tonight's action only adopts the study and initiates the notice process.
Next steps listed by staff include public meetings, review of public comment, and a return to the commission with a final recommendation after the required notices are mailed and the public-engagement period closes.
