LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County is considering renewing a fire assessment fee to help fund firefighters’ salaries, purchase equipment and pay for operating expenses.
During a meeting on Tuesday, commissioners are scheduled to vote on the fee, which is expected to generate more than $52 million in revenue.
If the new fee is approved, a residence 800 square feet or less would be charged $370, which is an 11% decrease from last year’s fee.
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Homes more than 800 square feet would be charged $415, which is the same amount as last year.
The vote is happening less than two weeks after Lake County became the first county in Central Florida with a 24-hour-on, 72-hours-off schedule for paramedics and EMTs to help recruit and retain more first responders.
Jason Graham, president of the Lake County Fire Union, said the change has already had an immediate effect on staffing.
“We have seen this uptick in applications and people who want to come and work here,” Graham said. “We’ve noticed a significant increase in retention, recruitment and also the morale of the people in the field.”
[WATCH BELOW: Sanford mayor explains how fire fee proposal would cost taxpayers]
Over the last few months, several municipalities have discussed changes to address fire-rescue challenges.
Sanford proposed a fire fee that would cost the average homeowner $95 a year.
In July, Kissimmee passed a fee to hire more firefighters. Last month, Winter Garden commissioners voted to cancel a proposed fee and said the city would instead focus on a reduction in operating expenses.
Lake County will discuss renewing its fire assessment fee during the board of county commissioners meeting Tuesday at 9 a.m.