The city of High Springs is thinking about raising the fire assessment fee that property owners pay every year. This discussion happened during a City Commission meeting on June 6, where officials looked at how the current fees are calculated and whether they should go up.
Right now, residential property owners in High Springs pay $135 per year as a fire assessment. But the city is considering increasing this fee to cover rising costs for fire protection and emergency services. The new amount has not been finalized yet.
According to city officials, the current fire assessment helps pay for the fire department’s equipment, staff, and operations. But as expenses go up and the city grows, more funding is needed to maintain these services at a good level.
The proposed increase could also help the city hire more fire staff and improve response times during emergencies. Officials say the goal is to make sure residents stay safe and get quick help when they need it.
The City Commission is expected to talk more about the fire assessment in upcoming meetings. If they decide to move forward with a higher fee, it would likely go into effect later this year or early next year.
Residents will get a chance to share their opinions during public hearings before any final decision is made. The city says it wants to be transparent and involve the community in this process.
For now, no changes have been confirmed, but city leaders are urging people to stay informed and participate in the discussions about the future of fire services in High Springs.