Winter Garden to host meeting on fire protection assessment fee

Winter Garden is hosting a community engagement meeting to seek input on imposing an assessment to fund fire and protection rescue services. 

The meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. 

The initial fire and rescue assessment resolution includes the maximum assessment that can be levied, and the City Commission always can lower the amount from the advertised rate. The commission cannot raise the rate above what is advertised. 

"This is not any different than setting the tentative millage rate as a proposed increase," City Manager Jon C. Williams wrote in an official statement regarding the proposed assessment. "Please know that your city leadership is committed to doing everything possible to minimize placing unnecessary burdens on our community. The proposed operating budget is still under development, and we are evaluating every possible scenario to balance the budget while maintaining a necessary and sufficient level of operating reserves (fund balance) without impacting the level of services or programs."

If the commission opts to levy the maximum, the fee for residential homes will range between $333.56 and $518.64 depending on square footage. 

The city could collect an estimated $12 million in revenue from the fire protection and rescue assessment for fiscal year Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

A public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 at Town Hall to receive public comment on the proposed assessment.