Emergency Services staff cites number of reasons for rate hikes
Sarasota County staff is inviting the public to learn about the proposed, updated fire assessment rates for Fiscal Year 2026, with a series of community meetings scheduled starting next week.
“To meet the growing demand for fire services to both residential and non-residential areas,” a news release says, county staff “continually seeks to enhance the level of emergency services” provided by the Fire Department. “Each year,” the release continues, “fire assessment rates are reviewed as part of the budgetary process to ensure adequate funding for fire protection services in our community. Following a comprehensive review of service delivery,” the release adds, the Fire Department’s proposed 2026 budget includes several public safety enhancement recommendations to address the following:
- The addition of 17 firefighters to the department for the ongoing initiative of providing three-person staffing on four fire engines.
- The increase in costs for personnel, supplies, equipment and services.
- The need to maintain “critical financial reserves.”
- The plans for construction of Fire Station 7 for Lakewood Ranch and Waterside.
- Capital improvements funding for projects at existing fire stations.
To support these public safety enhancements, the Fire Department recommends the increase of fire assessments rates as follows, the release notes:
- $2.81 per month for an average, 2,500-square-foot home.
- $3.25 per month for an average, 1,600-square-foot multi-family residence.
- $28.42 per month for an average 10,000-square-foot non-residential building.
“Residents are encouraged to attend any or all of the following meetings to learn more about the changes to fire assessment rates, understand the methodology used, provide comments, or ask questions,” the release says. These one-hour meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates at the locations listed:
- Tuesday, Aug. 19 — Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, which stands at 2801 Newtown Blvd. in Sarasota.
- Wednesday, Aug. 20 — Sarasota County Fire Station 23, located at 1930 N. Tamiami Trail in Nokomis.
- Monday, Aug. 25 — Gulf Gate Library, which stands at 7112 Curtiss Ave. Sarasota.
“Fire assessments are the primary funding source for fire protection services in unincorporated areas of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota, the release explains. “These fees are based on the square footage of a building and are charged against real property.”
The Sarasota County Commission is scheduled to vote Sept. 10 on the final fire assessment rates for Fiscal Year 2026, the release adds.
For more information, call 311 or visit scgov.net/firefees.