Brevard County sets Jan. 30 workshop after hours of testimony on fire assessment, staffing crisis

County staff told the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 17 that replacing one‑time federal funds and covering rising personnel and equipment costs will require changes to how fire services are funded and could include an increase to the county’s non‑ad valorem fire assessment.

County Manager Frank Abate and senior staff outlined the history of fire funding, noting a shift since 2006 when a special assessment was adopted. Jill Hayes, the county budget director, said the fire assessment currently accounts for about 69% of fire operations revenue and the fire control MSTU about 28%, with EMS funded largely by ambulance billing and general fund transfers. Staff gave this example: a 5% increase in the fire assessment would raise roughly $1.9 million for fire operations while requiring an additional roughly $1.5 million from…