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 the general fund to cover EMS costs tied to shared personnel and services.

“We anticipate that the non‑recurring ARPA funding is going to be exhausted in 2028,” County Manager Frank Abate said, urging the board to consider that replacement of those funds would require recurring revenue, such as a modest assessment increase.

Deputy Fire Chief Tom Klein described the cost‑distribution model staff used to allocate shared expenses between fire and EMS (approximately 55.5% fire / 44.5% EMS). Chief Volterra highlighted the escalation of capital costs since 2017 — engines that were about $545,000 are approaching $900,000 and ambulances have risen from about $165,000 to nearly $300,000 — and outlined a seven‑year capital plan with more than $43.5 million in projects forecast for fiscal years 2026–2029.

Many members of the fire service and community urged swift action. Mike Branson, president of Brevard County Firefighters Union Local 2969, said morale is a metric the board must measure, and described widespread departures. Several rank‑and‑file firefighters and retired personnel testified in detail about overtime burdens, recruitment and retention problems, and pay disparities with neighboring departments. “The blood’s on whose hands?” firefighter Josh Madsen asked rhetorically as he described the strain on crews and families.

Union and line staff cited attrition numbers presented during public comment (speakers reported roughly 93 to 108 departures in the year, and other speakers gave an updated number of 101), the county’s hiring and training costs, and comparisons to other Florida counties that reported stronger recruitment following schedule or benefit changes.

Commissioner Delaney said staffing — not buildings — must be the priority. She proposed a public workshop focused on personnel, potential changes to work schedules (including a 24/72 option), fire impact fees, and capital and operational needs. After discussion about format and staff preparation, the board voted unanimously to hold a public workshop on Jan. 30, 2025, from 1–5 p.m.

What happens next: staff told the board the procedural timeline to adopt a fire assessment increase is roughly 120 days and would require public notice and hearings; staff also offered to update the seven‑year capital plan within 30 days and to present options that could mix fire assessment and MSTU adjustments. The Jan. 30 workshop is intended to gather additional public input and give commissioners direction before any formal agenda item to set rates for a subsequent fiscal year.