The West Manatee Fire Rescue District’s proposed assessment rate increase is only a couple of votes from approval.
WMFR commissioners voted 4-1 May 18 to move forward with a staff-recommended 4% increase to fire assessment rates to cover rising costs for the next three years.
Commissioner Al Robinson voted “no,” but did not comment on his vote.
The increase would raise $300,791.80 more than the existing rate.
The district’s current rates include a $195.53 residential base rate and a $0.1153 additional charge for square footage, as well as a $485.94 commercial base rate with a $0.2104 additional charge for square footage.
With the current rates, WMFR charges residential property owners $310.85 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $426.17 for a 3,000-square-foot home.
Commercial property owners pay $696.37 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $906.80 for a 3,000-square-foot building.
The proposed rates would include a $203.35 residential base rate and a $0.1199 additional charge for square footage, as well as a $505.38 commercial base rate with a $0.2188 additional charge for square footage.
If commissioners approve the proposed rate, property owners would pay $323.28 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $443.22 for a 3,000-square-foot home.
Commercial property owners would pay $724.23 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $943.08 for a 3,000-square-foot building.
Commissioner George Harris said he was proud of the district for trying to keep the hike relatively low.
“I think it says a lot about this district that we choose to make our rates less than the personal income growth,” Harris said. “There are many fire departments in this county that choose not to do that. … I think we deserve to pat ourselves a little.”
There was no public comment.
WMFR must adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 by its Sept. 14 commission meeting.
Administration building
Meanwhile, the district was gearing up to move into its new administration building at 701 63rd St. W. in Bradenton.
Chief Ben Rigney said the administrative staff was to start moving small items by May 24 — after The Islander’s press deadline — and a professional crew would move larger items, including furniture.
Rigney said work on the building is almost finished, but Clearwater-based Creative Contractors has yet to stripe the parking lot and finish the interior flooring.
“Everything’s moving very quickly,” Rigney said.
WMFR purchased the lot in 2019 for $295,000 and construction of the weather-hardened building is projected to cost $1,469,708.
The next WMFR commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, at the new administration building.