Subject:
Title
Consideration of Fire Assessment Increase and Updated Seven-Year Plan
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Fiscal Impact:
TBD
Dept/Office:
District 1 Commission Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners direct staff to prepare options (tiers) for Board consideration of a Fire Assessment increase with an updated seven-year plan for employee recruitment, retention, infrastructure and capital needs. This shall also include a proposed timeline for the Board to take action.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
As of January 29, 2025, 120 of Brevard County's firefighters have resigned, retired or been removed from duty since January 1, 2024. This number exceeds 20% of the county’s firefighter force. The high separation rates and higher salaries offered by other local and regional jurisdictions have been brought to the attention of the Brevard County Commission at multiple public meetings in 2024 and 2025 during public comment.
On September 17th, 2024, in response to concerns raised to the board, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) directed staff to develop a report identifying the timeline and actions that would be required to potentially adjust the Fire Assessment, including multiple options the Board may consider.
The Fire Assessment Study: Timeline and Options report outlines the evolution of the Fire Assessment and includes a timeline that applies to increasing the assessment for FY 2026. Additionally, this report includes information the Board would need to be aware of regarding the relationship between Fire Operations revenues/expenses and EMS revenues/expenses. The report has been structured in a way that provides the Board with needed information for consideration in providing Fire Rescue Operations the additional financial resources to accomplish its mission in meeting any direction that the Board provides related to Fire Rescue Services.
This report serves as background information for the requested action to direct staff to prepare options for board consideration of a fire assessment increase with an updated seven-year plan. A presentation was given by staff to the commissioners at the December 17th, 2024 commissioner meeting.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: