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Ocoee sets 70% cap on fire-service assessment, schedules Aug. 18 final hearing
Summary
City staff said rising fire-suppression, EMS and equipment costs, combined with anticipated changes to homestead exemptions, require a funding shift. The commission set a 70% maximum assessment and directed staff to mail notices and return Aug. 18 with final rates.
The Ocoee City Commission on Tuesday adopted an initial resolution establishing a maximum fire-service assessment equal to 70% of the department's assessable budget and set a public hearing for Aug. 18 to finalize the fee.
Assistant City Manager Mike Rumor told the commission the city projects rising personnel, equipment and medical-supply costs and said recent state-level homestead-exemption proposals could reduce ad valorem revenue for public safety. "The purpose tonight is to seek from you to set the initial rate for the fire-service assessment fee and to set August 18 as the public hearing to adopt the final fire assessment fee," Rumor said.
Why it matters: staff said the fire department's five-year accessible budget is roughly $14 million of a $17 million total and that the city currently collects about $4.4 million through existing assessments. Under staff's modeling, a 70% maximum would translate to a flat fee of about $597 per household if implemented at the maximum; staff said it expects to propose a lower implementation level (roughly 45—6% or about $383/year) for the first year to reduce immediate household impacts while protecting revenue if state changes reduce property-tax receipts.
The commission and staff framed the measure as a way to shift a portion of fire funding to a dedicated assessment rather than rely solely on general fund ad valorem revenues. Rumor and other staff emphasized that the methodology adopted ("demand and availability") aims to keep typical homeowner payments roughly stable while placing more of the burden on nonresidential, multifamily and institutional properties.
Public-safety leaders described equipment and compliance costs that have risen sharply in recent years. Chief Vince Agburn noted spending pressure for mandated equipment, radios and vehicle replacement schedules.
The commission voted to adopt staff's recommendation to set the 70% maximum and scheduled the Aug. 18 public hearing; Commissioner Wilson moved the measure and Commissioner Oliver seconded it. The motion carried; one commissioner was absent.
What happens next: staff will prepare and mail individualized notices to every property owner showing the proposed fee, return with a more precise recommended implementation percentage on Aug. 18, and run community education sessions and a phone bank to answer questions before the final vote.
