Jupiter council approves per‑property fee to fund new Jupiter Fire Rescue; vote 3–1

The Town of Jupiter council on June 16 approved Resolution 6,126 to authorize a per‑property fire protection fee as part of funding for the newly established Jupiter Fire Rescue Department, voting 3–1 with Mayor Jim Kuretsky dissenting.

Scott Reynolds, the town’s chief financial officer, told the council that when Jupiter begins providing fire service on Oct. 1, property owners will no longer pay Palm Beach County Fire Rescue charges and that the town projects immediate savings. "Jupiter Fire Rescue is projected to cost approximately $25,000,000 annually compared to the roughly $35,000,000 Jupiter property owners would have paid to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue," Reynolds said, adding that the difference represents about a $10,000,000 savings in year one.

Reynolds outlined two funding approaches the town is considering: one that uses an adjustment to property tax (ad valorem), EMS transport fees and a share of sales tax dollars; and a second that combines property‑tax adjustment, EMS transport fees and a per‑property (non‑ad valorem) assessment. He said the town ran a public outreach campaign that included about 30,000 mailed notices, a public video and a savings calculator on the town website.

Why it matters: The resolution implements the revenue structure that will support JFRD operations and debt service for two new fire stations. Council supporters emphasized the savings and the stability that a dedicated fee can provide for debt repayment; opponents and some residents worried about fairness and notice.

Council debate focused on the mechanics and equity of the proposed non‑ad valorem assessment. Mayor Kuretsky said he did not support the non‑ad valorem option for reasons of fairness: "I still don't support it, so let me make that clear," he said during deliberations, stressing concerns that the assessment formula treats single‑family homes differently from townhomes and condos by including garages and porches in square‑foot calculations.

Residents who spoke at the hearing were split. Supporters said the assessment is a reasonable mechanism to fund the department and pointed to the town’s savings examples produced by staff. Others said the public had insufficient notice and urged a vote of residents. "The town needs to be allowed to vote on this," said a resident who said the mailed notices and emails did not reach many neighbors.

Key numbers and schedule provided in the presentation: Reynolds said the town projects an annual JFRD operating cost of about $25 million, compared with a county estimate of roughly $35 million for the same services next year; staff showed sample household and commercial property calculations illustrating annual savings for typical properties. The town also noted authorization to borrow up to $20 million for station construction and said the non‑ad valorem assessment scenario would be structured to pay debt service over roughly 15 years (the council could choose a different amortization schedule).

The vote: A motion to approve Resolution 6,126 passed by a 3–1 margin. The council recorded the outcome as "motion carries 3 to 1 with Mayor Kuretsky dissenting." The resolution authorizes the per‑property fee mechanism and directs staff to continue the implementation and budget steps necessary to start JFRD service on Oct. 1 if funding and schedules proceed as presented.

What happens next: Staff will finalize the funding option selected by council, continue the budget process, and provide follow‑up reports to the council and public about the assessment calculations, the savings calculator results and the schedule for any debt issuance to pay for fire stations.

(Reporting based on public presentation and council discussion during the June 16, 2026 Town of Jupiter council meeting.)