Wakulla board holds solid‑waste rate flat but approves higher fire protection assessment

The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners voted to hold the preliminary solid‑waste assessment flat at $214 per dwelling for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2026, rejecting staff's recommendation and rate‑study suggestion to raise the rate to $222.

During discussion, staff explained the $222 figure came from a rate study tied to operating expenses and that the board could decrease or set no assessment at the public hearing on Sept. 8, 2026 but could not increase it there. After a motion to keep the rate at $214, the board voted unanimously to hold the rate flat.

Separately, the board approved an amended and restated initial assessment resolution for fire protection services setting preliminary maximum assessment rates for the same fiscal year. Staff presented proposed rates that include a residential rate of $277 per dwelling unit and per‑square‑foot rates for commercial, industrial and institutional categories. Staff said the proposal would allow the fire fund to make a transfer to the general fund of about $412,000; holding rates flat instead could deplete reserves and eliminate that transfer.

Board members discussed cost allocation and noted that some non‑fire services (human resources, administrative support) are currently paid from general revenue even though they provide support to fire operations; the assessment changes seek to move toward covering a larger share of those costs within the fire fund.

Next steps: public hearings on the proposed assessments are scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026, where the board can reduce or eliminate assessments but not increase them beyond the preliminary maxima.