Jupiter council moves forward with procedural steps to consider fire‑assessment to fund local fire service

The Town of Jupiter on March 3 directed staff to advance procedural steps for a possible non‑ad valorem fire assessment that could help fund the town’s planned Jupiter Fire Rescue, but council members stopped short of setting final rates or exemptions.

Finance Director Reynolds told the council the study — completed with consultant Accenture — calculates a legally defensible maximum assessable cost of just over $16 million, of which staff proposes to use 15 percent, or about $2.1 million, in the near term. "We're here again to discuss the possibility of possibly implementing a non ad valorem fire assessment to fund the Jupiter fire rescue, which, will start 10/01/2026," Reynolds said.

The consultant, Sandra Newbarth of Accenture, said staff recommended a square‑footage formula to allocate costs across property types because Jupiter’s housing stock varies widely in size. "We felt it was fair and reasonable to do it based on sizes," Newbarth said, noting the town's average single‑family footprint but also a handful of very large homes.

Under staff’s current proposal, residential parcels would see a range of averages roughly between $15 and $93 annually depending on dwelling size; commercial rates would range higher. Staff emphasized the assessment would fund fire services only — not EMS beyond first response — and that the town would continue to evaluate exemptions and buy‑downs for seniors, disabled veterans, nursing homes and other categories.

Supporters said the assessment would provide a stable, benefit‑based revenue source and could lower combined costs for residents compared with continued service by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue; staff projected first‑year savings across the community approaching earlier estimates. Opponents and some council members raised fairness questions about the formula and how gross square footage (which includes porches and garages in county data) is counted for single‑family homes and condominiums.

Councilors asked staff to publish example bills and a calculator for residents to check how the ranges would apply to particular properties and to return with additional detail on exemptions and the correction process for any property‑data errors. Council did not choose between the 'assessment plus reduced millage' option and a pure millage alternative tonight; staff said the critical path for notices and hearings runs through June and July to align with the TRIM/budget schedule.

Mayor Jim Kurecki and other members emphasized no final decision had been made. "We could do the procedural ordinance, but not proceed to set a rate," Reynolds said; council directed staff to proceed with the procedural ordinance and public‑notice steps and to continue deliberations during the budget process. The council will hold further public hearings before any final adoption.

What’s next: staff will publish parcel‑level examples and notices required by Florida statute, continue public hearings this spring and summer, and present options for the council to consider during the budget cycle.