Safety Harbor latest Pinellas city to explore fire assessment

SAFETY HARBOR — This city is the latest Pinellas County municipality to explore a fire assessment as officials brace for possible property tax losses under Amendment 3.

The city commission voted unanimously Aug. 3 to hire Bryant Miller Olive, a Tampa law firm, to study the idea at a cost of up to $42,000. A fire assessment is a separate charge on property owners used to help pay for fire protection, a service now funded primarily through property taxes.

Commissioners said they want to be ready if Florida voters approve Amendment 3 in November. The proposed constitutional amendment would expand the state's homestead exemption, reducing property tax revenue for cities and counties.

City Manager Josh Stefancic said a fire assessment study will give Safety Harbor more options and that the commission could decide later whether to move forward.

Stefancic said several other Pinellas governments are also exploring fire assessments, including Dunedin, Largo, Clearwater, Pinellas Park and East Lake Fire Rescue. He said communities across Florida are considering the levy as well.

Commissioners agreed the city should gather more information, although they differed on whether a fire assessment is a good idea.

Commissioner Andy Steingold said he would support the effort if the Nov. 3 ballot measure passes. Otherwise, he said, a fire assessment would be "just another form of taxation."

He also worried that a flat fee would hit lower-income homeowners and nonprofit organizations harder because they could still have to pay the assessment despite being exempt from property taxes.

Vice Mayor Nancy Besor said the city should prepare now in case lawmakers limit local property tax options in the future.

Commissioner Jacob Burnett said a fire assessment could give the city another source of revenue instead of relying only on property taxes. He said separating the cost of fire protection from the city's property tax bill would make those costs more transparent and give residents a clearer picture of what they are paying for.

The study's first phase, estimated at $11,000, will include an initial legal review and end with a commission vote on whether to continue.

If commissioners decide to move forward, the second phase would cost about $31,000 and include developing the fire assessment, preparing the required ordinances and resolutions, and helping implement the program.

The commission can stop the process after the first phase if it decides against pursuing a fire assessment.

One resident spoke on the matter.

Marty Schumacher urged the city to prepare for the possibility that local governments may have to rely more on special assessments if Amendment 3 passes.

"I'd rather pay property taxes locally than let the folks in Tallahassee tell us, 'Here's the money you get,' " he said.

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