SANFORD, Fla. – Residents in Sanford have a chance to speak up Monday night on several resolutions that will affect their taxes and services before commissioners vote.
Commissioners unanimously voted against the proposed fire fee, “following heartfelt input from a packed room of concerned residents,” the city said. The city wanted to adopt a fire assessment fee to fund fire protection services and free up other revenue in the general fund.
The proposed fee had been under consideration since October 2024 as a potential measure to secure future funding for the Sanford Fire Department. After extensive analysis and public notice throughout August 2025, the Commission carefully evaluated multiple factors, including community feedback, the immediate needs of the fire department, and the impact of recent tax increases across Seminole County.
City of Sanford
Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff told News 6 the average homeowner would pay about $85 a year. Woodruff said without the fire fee, the city may have trouble keeping up with fire equipment and other costs in the future.
[WATCH: How much will a fire fee proposal cost Sanford taxpayers? The city’s mayor explains]
The city also held its first public hearing on next year’s budget and the millage rate.
The city said it is keeping the millage rate the same as last year. However, property tax revenues will go up because property values went up. According to the budget presentation, the average single-family homeowner will pay $57.26 more in ad valorem taxes.
The city is also proposing a $224.6 million budget, an increase of $15,941,946 from the previous year.
The city says it has millions of dollars in asset repairs and replacements that have been neglected in the past and need to be addressed.
The city’s proposed budget also has an increase in waste collection and water and sewer fees.
You can read the proposed budget HERE.
A final public hearing on the millage and the budget will take place on Sept. 22.
[WATCH: Sanford’s popularity brings new single-family homes to the 32771]