Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Assessments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fort Meade approves stormwater and fire protection assessments amid resident objections
Summary
The Fort Meade City Commission on Aug. 13 adopted final stormwater and fire protection assessment rolls after public comment about high utility and assessment costs; the fire assessment passed 4-1 and the stormwater assessment passed unanimously.
FORT MEADE, Fla. — The Fort Meade City Commission approved two final assessment rolls on Aug. 13, 2024, adopting the city’s annual stormwater assessment by unanimous vote and approving the final fire protection assessment 4–1 after public comment opposing higher charges.
Mayor Petrina McCutchen opened the public hearings; Attorney Norman Powell read the resolutions’ titles before the commission considered them. Resolution R2024-62, adopting the stormwater assessment roll, drew no public speakers and passed 5–0. Resolution R2024-63, adopting the final fire protection assessment roll, drew several residents who asked questions about assessment calculations and timing before the commission voted 4–1, with Commissioner James Watts opposed.
Residents and stakeholders used the public forum and the fire-assessment hearing to argue the city’s bills and assessments are already burdensome. Herman Fisher, a combat-disabled veteran who said he represents the VFW, told the commission the VFW’s assessment ‘‘went up $600.00 this year’’ and called the increase ‘‘a lot of money.’’ Pastor Jesse Maxwell, a recent resident, said his household utility bills have exceeded $600 and that new stormwater and fire assessments are adding pressure. Investor and renter representative Jeff DeLeon asked commissioners to reconsider raising taxes and assessments for renters and property owners.
Fire Chief Matthew Zahara described the fire-assessment roll and answered clarification questions about how the assessment supports fire protection services. City Manager Edward Dean provided additional explanation about how assessments were calculated and applied to the final roll. Resident Natalie Feeney asked the commission to table the fire assessment until budget workshops conclude; the commission voted to adopt the roll instead.
The fire-protection measure carried by a 4–1 margin: Mayor Petrina McCutchen, Vice Mayor Samuel Berrien, Commissioner James Possum Schaill and Commissioner Jaret Williams voted yes; Commissioner James Watts voted no. The record shows the stormwater assessment passed 5–0.
Authorities and formal actions recorded at the meeting include Resolution R2024-62 (stormwater assessment roll) and Resolution R2024-63 (fire protection assessment roll). The commission scheduled budget workshops for Aug. 19–21, 2024, from 3:00–6:00 p.m., a step that residents who asked for a delay had cited as the next chance for further review.
What’s next: The adopted assessment rolls will be applied per the city’s administrative process; residents seeking more detail on assessment calculations were directed to staff and to the upcoming budget workshops for further discussion.
