Sterling Fibers President Jim Hagerott traveled to Tallahassee to testify on a local bill, HB 4053. The bill seeks to reduce the costs of fire assessments that increased due to legislation enacted in 2024.
Hagerott told the House Ways & Means Committee that his company’s taxes for the Avalon Beach-Mulat Fire District increased from approximately $7,000 annually to over $107,000.
Fire rescue assessment rates vary by county. The money raised from the fee assessment is used for regular department costs and operations.
If HB 4053 passes, it will give relief to business owners in Santa Rosa County and would exempt churches and religious institutions that are otherwise exempt from ad valorem taxes from non-ad valorem assessments.
Over the last year, several cities and county governments have supported measures to increase fire assessment fees,
Marion County said they needed one to keep up with population growth and additional needs for service.
In Alachua County, the town of Newberry raised fire fees by 50% from $200 to $300.
But there’s also been moves to oppose increases in fire assessments.
Last year, the Sanford City Commission voted unanimously not to approve the proposed fire assessment fee.
In Winter Garden, government officials proposed jacking up homeowners’ fire fees by $330–$ 500 annually. Citizens were so outraged that the city manager drew the proposal before it came to a vote.
At the state capital in Tallahassee, local officials decided not to go along with a higher 22% increase and instead opted for a lower 10% hike.
HB 4053 is making its way through the Florida House, and if it passes, it will head to the Florida State Senate.
