HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 18 Presentation on the City of Ocoee Fire Services Assessment Fee Program to Include a Revised Methodology and Set June 16th, 2026 as the Hearing Date to Adopt the Initial Assessment Resolution for FY 26-27
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
Item #: 18
Contact Name: Michael Rumer Department Director: Michael Rumer
Contact Number: Ext. 6434 City Manager: Craig Shadrix
Subject: Presentation on the City of Ocoee Fire Services Assessment Fee Program to Include
a Revised Methodology and Set June 16th, 2026, as the Hearing Date to Adopt the Initial
Assessment Resolution for FY 26-27. (Assistant City Manager Rumer)
Background Summary: The City currently imposes a fire assessment fee within its incorporated area
based on a study conducted by Anser Advisory on July 15, 2025. The study is intended to: i) Determine the full
costs of providing fire services within the City, ii) Review such final cost determination with the City to
determine which elements provide the requisite special benefit to the assessed properties, iii) Determine the
relative benefit anticipated to be derived by property classes within the City from the delivery of fire services,
iv) Recommend the fair and reasonable apportionment of assessable costs among benefited parcels within
the City, v) Calculate assessment rates for Fiscal Year 2025-26 based on the Fiscal Year 2024-25 adopted
budget, vi) Ensure that the recommended assessment rates conform to the statutory requirements of the
Uniform Method.
For Fiscal Year 2026, the annual Fire Service Assessment rate was set at $139.23 per fire protection unit. For
FY 2026, this assessment rate is estimated to generate approximately $4,966,862 in revenue with the 4%
early payment discount, covering around 36% of the Fire Department's total budgeted expenditures. It is
important to note that fire assessment fees cover fire protection services only and do not include EMS-related
transport services. On May 20, 2025, the City Commission voted 4-0 for the revised Fire Assessment Fee for
one (1) year with a request to work through a solution for the future such as a fee to cover 100% of the cost of
the Fire Department. Anser Advisory was contracted to assist the City in updating the program with new
budget projections and to identify new methodologies that could shift the burden of the assessments to non-
residential and still maintain a highly defendable and equitable program. Anser did this by developing two
methodologies for the City’s consideration, and showing what the Unincorporated Orange County Fire Millage
rate would generate. The two new (2) methodologies include:
• Demand/Availability methodology
• Historical Demand methodology
The Unincorporated Orange County Fire Millage Rate @ 2.84 mills would generate approximately
$14,714,082 in revenue.
Staff is requesting the City Commission select one of the two (2) Fire Service Assessment Program
methodologies in lieu of the existing program based on staff's recommendation provided during the
presentation, and to schedule June 16th, 2026, as the hearing date to adopt the Initial Assessment Resolution
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City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
under the Regular agenda.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commission authorize staff to update the city’s existing Fire Services
Special Assessment Program to fund assessable costs associated with providing Fire Services and set June
16th, 2026, as the hearing date to adopt the Initial Assessment Resolution?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends the Honorable Mayor and City Commission authorize staff to update the city’s existing Fire
Services Special Assessment Program to fund assessable costs associated with providing Fire Services and
set June 16th, 2026, as the hearing date to adopt the Initial Assessment Resolution?
Attachments:
None
Financial Impacts:
No impact with this agenda item.
Type of Item: Regular
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