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Okeechobee officials keep FY‑26 fire and EMS rates, shift to 50/50 cost split; Station 4 funding paused for planning
Summary
County staff told commissioners a rerun of the CASA assessment allowed the county to keep fiscal 2026 fire and EMS rates and fund equipment and station work without raising assessments. Commissioners asked to hold off committing Station 4 funds while staff analyzes call zones and upcoming development.
Okeechobee County commissioners were told a rerun of the CASA assessment report generated enough additional fire assessment revenue to keep fiscal year 2026 rates and restore equipment and station items while maintaining projected assessment levels.
County Fire Rescue leadership and budget staff presented revised figures and recommended moving to a 50/50 split of personnel and many shared costs between Fire and Emergency Medical Services for budgeting purposes. "That rerun of information ... There's sufficient funds to do what we talked about," the fire chief said, adding the department could fund the previously requested equipment and station…
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