It’s creeping up on budget season.
And West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners are considering a rise in assessment rates for district property owners.
When commissioners met April 21 to discuss the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Chief Tom Sousa suggested some changes over the 2015-16 fiscal year, including a 2.25 percent increase in the district’s assessment rate.
According to Sousa, if commissioners approve the rate increase, it would mean an increase in net revenue for the district of about $120,000.
The state allows the district to increase rates yearly by a maximum of 4.02 percent.
Sousa’s reason for increasing the rate is the rise in operational costs over the current fiscal year.
Enhancements planned for the 2016-17 fiscal year include the addition of three full-time firefighters at Station 1 in Holmes Beach, replacement of an inspector’s vehicle and the purchase of a new computer server.
Sousa said the district applied for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant through FEMA that would cover the salaries of three additional firefighters up to three years — if awarded.
Adding three firefighters, one per shift, would provide staff at the station in the event an emergency situation on the mainland calls for a truck to be dispatched from the island fire station.
“It’ll never not be manned unless it’s a catastrophic event,” Sousa said of the Holmes Beach station.
The total cost to the district, including the benefits package, is about $300,000 a year.
Sousa also hopes to spend $25,000 to replace a vehicle being used by a district inspector.
“They’re in these vehicles every day,” Sousa said. “It’s their office.”
As the vehicles are replaced, Sousa proposes replacing them with slightly larger vehicles, allowing inspectors to carry gear and function on-scene when needed as a member of a firefighter crew. The new vehicles also are recommended to have emergency lights and sirens.
On the technology front, Sousa said it’s already been recommended to him from the district’s information technology team that a server be replaced at a cost of about $25,000.
If the district receives permission to begin its planned advanced life-saving program, it also will mean increased technology, equipment and training costs.
Current residential assessment rates for the district are $23.24 per acre of land or lot with a base rate of $176.23 for each house or unit. Residences are charged an additional $0.104 per square foot over 1,000 square feet.
Commercial properties are charged a $415.86 base rate for the 2015-16 fiscal year with $0.18 per square foot over 1,000 square feet. The acreage rate, $23.24 per acre or lot.
The recommended increase would see the residential base rate increase to $180.19, while the commercial base rate would increase to $425.22.
Commissioners asked Sousa to provide three resolutions for the May meeting for the fire assessment rate, one at a zero percent increase, one at 1.5 percent and a third at 2.25 percent.
“I’m OK with those levels for deliberation,” Commissioner David Bishop said.
Commissioners will next meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the administration building, 6418 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.