SARASOTA COUNTY – Sarasota County Emergency Services invites the community to learn about fire assessment rates and requests for improvements to fire stations and department equipment for the 2020 proposed budget, which includes an assessment increase of 1.1 percent.
To keep up with the growing demand for services to residential and non-residential locations, Emergency Services continually pursues areas of enhancements in the level of services provided by the fire department. Each year, fire assessment rates and ad valorem taxes are evaluated as part of the budgetary process to align with the annual funding of fire protection service for our community.
According to Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier, strategic requests for enhancements that align with our Strategic Master Plan include additional staffing, construction of a new fire station, renovation of two existing fire stations, advancements in technology and a thorough review of service delivery.
Residents may attend any or all of the following public meetings to learn more about the changes to fire assessment rates, the methodology used, and provide comments or ask questions. Meetings are open to the public and planned to last one hour, beginning at 6 p.m., on the following dates:
- Aug. 22: Fire Station No. 10, 35 Vic Edwards Rd., Sarasota.
- Aug. 29: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota.
- Sept. 3: Fire Station No. 16, 5875 Hummingbird Ave., Sarasota.
- Sept. 5: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Public Library, 300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice.
- Sept. 10: Gulf Gate Public Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota.
Fire assessments are the primary funding mechanism for the provision of fire protection services in unincorporated areas of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota. Fire assessment fees are based on square footage of a building and charges are imposed against real property. Sarasota County Commissioners will vote on the final fire assessment rates for fiscal year 2020 on September 11, 2019.
For more information call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net.