West Manatee Fire Rescue District voters have a ballot to cast in less than a week.
Voters can cast ballots Tuesday, March 10, in a special election for a referendum question authorizing WMFR to levy annual ad valorem taxes not to exceed 1 mill beginning in fiscal 2026-27.
The district currently levies non-ad valorem assessment fees that consist of a residential or commercial base rate plus additional charges for square footage.
It has pushed for decades to gain the authority to levy ad valorem taxes in an effort to increase revenues, but all previous attempts have failed.
The referendum will require a simple majority to pass.
If it is approved, WMFR will be able to levy up to 1 mill in ad valorem taxes for each property in the district.
The millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate property taxes, so the owner of a property with the assessed value of $500,000 would pay $500 in annual ad valorem taxes to the district at the 1 mill maximum rate.
However, the potential millage rate has yet to be determined — it would be set by a WMFR commission vote if the referendum passes — and the district does not have a set plan for how the new revenue would be used.
Proponents argue the increased revenues could be used to:
- Establish a new station in Bradenton Beach, where the district recently purchased an old fire hall;
- Replace firefighting equipment that contains polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAs or forever chemicals;
- Improve the district’s training infrastructure.
To vote, people can cast ballots 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on March 10. Voters must bring valid photo IDs with their signatures to their precinct’s polling locations, which will be:
- Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, for Precinct 301;
- Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, for Precinct 307;
- Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, for Precinct 305.
Mail ballots must be received by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
If the referendum passes, the tax will go into effect on Thursday, Oct. 1.