Hernando County commissioners authorize public hearing on proposed fire MSBU increases amid debate over station plans and costs

Hernando County commissioners voted April 22 to advertise a June public hearing on a proposed schedule of increases in the county—s fire Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU), a special assessment used to fund fire and emergency services.

Chief Paul Hassemeyer told the board the county needs additional stations, ambulances and staffing to maintain response times as population and 911 call volumes rise. "We're running out of ambulances and fire trucks on the East Side every afternoon and every evening," Hassemeyer said. He said consultants and staff had developed a five-year capital and staffing plan that includes new stations (15, 16 and later 17), additional ambulances, a training center and a consolidated headquarters.

The consultant—s model presented several scenarios. The version the board reviewed showed an average annual rate increase that would yield a maximum residential MSBU charge in the outer years significantly higher than today. Commissioners expressed alarm at the projected increases and asked staff and the consultant to produce an alternate scenario with lower year-by-year increases before the June public hearing.

Commissioner discussion focused on three recurring themes: whether development "pays for growth," how station construction costs were…