SANFORD, Fla. – The city of Sanford is moving forward with a proposal for a fire assessment fee to better fund fire services.
At a meeting on Monday, city commissioners will hear a first reading of an ordinance that would implement the fee in 2026.
According to Mayor Art Woodruff, the fee would be based on the five-year average capital costs for the department, which is approximately $2.4 million. If it is implemented, the average homeowner would pay around $95 per year.
Charles Schmidt lives in Sanford and said he would support the fee if it helped improve response times.
“I wouldn’t be against it if it helped protect me and my family in some fashion,” Schmidt said.
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Currently, the city funds fire services through property taxes and other general fund revenue. The additional fire assessment fee would specifically fund fire-protection services and therefore free up other revenue in the general fund.
Recently, other cities and counties in Central Florida have implemented or discussed fire fees.
Last week, Winter Garden council members discussed the possibility of imposing a fire fee on property owners. A study funded by the city found that a maximum assessment rate for residential properties would be up to $333 for homes less than 1,000 square feet and up to $519 for homes over 3,500 square feet.
In June, the city of Kissimmee approved an annual assessment that will make it possible for their fire department to switch from its current 54-hour work week to a 42-hour work week.
Sanford’s city commission meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.