West Manatee Fire Rescue district’s 2022-23 budget is almost in the books.
WMFR district commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 16 to approve a first reading for a $13,621,463 budget for fiscal 2022-23, which begins Oct. 1.
The proposed budget is a slight decrease from the $13,708,22 budget adopted for this year.
Much of that difference is due to a projected decrease in reserves — from $5,485,935 in 2021-22 to $4,899,475 in 2022-23.
The decrease can be attributed to the use of some reserves to pay off debt owed on Station 1, 407 67th St. W., Bradenton.
As a result, debt service expenses — which cost the district $964,342.46 this year — are not included in the projected budget for 2022-23.
The proposed budget also factors in a 4% increase in fire assessment rates, which leads to a projected $363,701 increase in tax revenue over this year.
The district’s current rates include a $203.35 residential base rate and a $0.1199 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, as well as a $505.38 commercial base rate with a $0.2188 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.
With the current rates, residential property owners pay $323.28 for a 2,000-square-foot home.
Commercial property owners pay $943.08 for a 3,000-square-foot building.
The district’s new rates include a $211.48 residential base rate and a $0.1247 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, and a $525.59 commercial base rate with a $0.2276 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.
Under the new rates, residential property owners will pay $336.18 for a 2,000-square-foot home.
Commercial property owners will pay $980.79 for a 3,000-square-foot building.
The new assessment rates were approved in July and will go into effect when the new fiscal year begins.
There was no public comment.
The WMFR board will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the admin building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.
Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at wmfr.org.
WMFR by the numbers…
2022-23 proposed budget
Revenues: $8,752,238
Tax assessments: $8,244,921
Expenses: $8,721,988
Personnel expenses: $7,366,980
Reserve funds: $4,899,475
2021-22 adopted budget
Revenues: $8,252,537
Tax assessments: $7,881,220
Expenses: $8,222,287
Personnel expenses: $6,727,135
Reserve funds: $5,485,935
Budget hearing dates:
Final hearing: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13.
— Ryan Paice