Sanford commission authorizes start of fire-assessment adoption process aiming to raise $2.13 million a year

The Sanford City Commission on June 9 authorized staff to begin the formal adoption process for a citywide fire assessment fee after hearing a presentation from the consultant the city retained.

The commission action follows a study delivered in a report dated 05/28/2025 by the consultant working with the city; the commission voted unanimously to authorize staff to proceed with the assessment process “in accordance with the Rafteles report” with the option to fund only average annual capital.

The study presenter, identified in the meeting as a representative of the Ratilis Company, described the fee as a parcel assessment “based on the benefit received by our service provided by the city” and emphasized that it is a fee, not a tax. The consultant said the methodology apportions the assessment with a fixed per-parcel component “that…