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Sanford commission agrees in principle to begin adoption process for proposed fire assessment
Summary
Consultant and staff outlined a proposed fire assessment to raise roughly $2.13 million for capital needs; commissioners agreed to move the adoption process forward and directed staff to set hearings and required public notices.
The Sanford City Commission on June 9 directed staff to begin the formal adoption process for a proposed fire assessment intended to fund annual capital needs for the fire department.
Michael Burton of Raftelis presented a draft assessment model that estimates approximately $2.13 million in annual revenue would be needed to cover average capital requirements over the next five years. Burton said the model converts structure value to an equivalent billing unit (EBU) of $5,000 in structure value; in the draft, an average single-family home would be assessed roughly $85.36 annually under the plan as modeled, with examples for low- and high-value homes and for other property types included.
Burton and staff explained procedural next steps if the commission wants to proceed: draft an initial resolution, set a public hearing (noted as likely in August to meet property-appraiser timelines), and mail first-class notices to affected property owners at least 20 days before the hearing with the property-specific assessment amount. Attorney Green confirmed the city had followed the proper legal process and advised how a multi-year maximum with an annual inflationary cap could be structured to avoid repeating full-notice procedures every year.
Commissioners asked for clear public materials explaining the purpose of the assessment, who would pay it and how long it might remain in effect. Commissioner Thomas urged explicit, digestible outreach and public meetings so residents would not be surprised when notices arrive. Commissioners also discussed design choices in the draft: whether to adopt a single-year assessment, a maximum multi-year amount with an annual inflation adjustment (for example, 3%), or to include a sunset date. Commissioner Merrill and others asked that nonprofits, religious institutions and churches be treated the same as other property types rather than singled out for exemptions; the commission signaled consensus to assess all properties.
At the work session the commission gave staff direction to proceed with the adoption process (draft required resolution/ordinance, set hearing dates and mail required notices). No final assessment ordinance was adopted at the work session; formal action must occur at a noticed public hearing.
