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High Springs chief urges residents to back higher fire assessment to maintain four‑person shifts
Summary
The fire chief told commissioners the department cannot reliably sustain four firefighters per shift without raising the household fire assessment from $250 to $335; the increase would reduce the city raw on the general fund by roughly $300,000 but will require voter or commission action and a possible new assessment study if the commission opts for a $360 cap.
The High Springs fire chief told the city commission at a May workshop that the department—annot reliably maintain a four‑person staffing model without increasing the household fire assessment.
The chief said the city currently collects about $969,220 from a $250 per‑household assessment and projects that a $335 fee would raise roughly $1,302,452 annually, lowering the department raw from the general fund from about $1,121,000 to approximately $788,000. He said operating with three personnel per shift removes one apparatus from service and "essentially reduces the services to the city by 50 percent." He warned that sustained three‑person shifts would also increase safety risks for firefighters and residents.
Why it matters: The commission is weighing whether to raise fees, cut staffing, or pursue alternatives such as renegotiating interlocal agreements with the county. The options have tradeoffs for public safety, household costs and long‑term infrastructure spending.
The chief walked commissioners through recent budget reductions and personnel changes. He said operational cuts and staffing changes over the past two years reduced costs by about $468,880 in total and noted that four recent resignations have left several vacancies that the department has not yet filled. Restoring a stable four‑person schedule would require rehiring paramedics and EMTs and promoting at least one officer, the chief said.
On alternatives and risks: The chief cited National Fire Protection Association guidance that favors four personnel on engine companies for safe, efficient responses, and said a three‑person model could lower the city —ire Protection Class (ISO) rating from a 4 to a 10 — a change the chief said could lead to higher homeowner insurance costs, though he acknowledged he had not yet spoken directly with insurers about the effect.
Commissioners pressed for the details. Vice Mayor Bloodsworth and others asked whether the city could match the county
ssessment methodology and whether a sliding scale could reduce the burden on lower‑income households. The fire chief said the study that produced current numbers would have to be redone if the commission wants to adopt a different methodology; the manager estimated a new assessment study would cost about $15,000. The staff also identified a higher study figure of $360 per household that would raise an additional roughly $100,000 annually but would require returning to the study vendor.
Community reaction: During public comment several residents gave personal accounts of rapid responses from the fire department and urged the commission to prioritize staffing. "They went to my house within 45 seconds. That is what saved me," one resident said, describing a medical emergency. Another longtime resident urged, "If you get rid of the police department to save $1,000,000, you took a service that this town will never recover from."
What happens next: Commissioners said they want more data before deciding. The manager and chief said they will continue to refine cost projections, discuss formulas with the county and, if the commission desires, prepare a study procurement to test alternative assessment methodologies. A joint meeting with county officials to discuss regional service options is scheduled next week.
