West Manatee Fire Rescue District commissioners Sept.12 adopted a $11,407,453.14 budget for fiscal year 2023-24.
Commissioner Lawrence Jennis motioned to adopt the budget and was seconded by Billy Burke. The motion was passed by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Derrick Warner was absent with excuse but sent an approval via an email that was read at the meeting.
The new year begins Oct. 1.
The biggest change in the budget from 2022-23 involves new assessment rates, which will raise $10,003,191.14 — $1 million more than the current year.
The district’s current rates include a $211.48 residential base rate and a $0.1247 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, as well as a $525.59 commercial base rate with a $0.2276 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.
With the current rates, residential property owners pay $336.22 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $460.95 for a 3,000-square-foot home.
Commercial property owners pay $753.19 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $980.80 for a 3,000-square-foot building.
The district’s new rates for fiscal 2023-24 will include a $219.94 residential base rate and a $0.1297 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, and a $546.61 commercial base rate with a $0.2367 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.
Under the new rates, residential property owners will pay $349.63 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $479.32 for a 3,000-square-foot home.
Commercial property owners will pay $783.32 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $1,020.02 for a 3,000-square-foot building.
The new budget includes a new assessment for vacation rental property owners, who currently pay residential rates but will pay business rates in 2023-24.
So an owner of a 2,000-square-foot vacation rental unit will pay $447.10 more in fiscal 2023-24.
The funds will provide a newly legislated rental inspection program, which will be led by two new inspectors and staff members, as well as six new firefighters at WMFR.
The new positions are projected to head a $1,758,270.50 increase in the cost of personnel services over 2022-23, with an almost $1 million increase in salaries, as well as increases in overtime costs and health care expenses.
Another notable change is a projected $724,275 increase in capital outlay costs over 2022-23 — from $147,500 this year to $871,775 in fiscal 2023-24.
The increase is mainly due to the $650,000 purchase of a new fire engine, as well as a $60,000 Ford F-150 for a rental inspector.
Overall, the district projects revenues and expenditures to increase $2,685,465.50 over this year — from $8,721,987.64 this year to $11,407,453.14 in fiscal 2023-24.
There was no public comment on the budget.
The commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.