City snuffs out fire fees

City council members were swayed to do away with fire fees - particularly following a presentation and persistence from one area business owner.

However, they're now more likely to increase the tax levy to makeup the difference.

During a public hearing Wednesday, council members unanimously approved not to implement fire fees that would have generated roughly $630,000 for fire services.

During the meeting, Robert Buckner, who owns a real estate business, stood before council and argued that the fire fees were unfairly being applied to businesses and homeowners and that combined, they equated to taxes doubling compared to the previous year.

He added that during public hearings about the matter, council members had promised to lower the tax rate to make up the difference. However, they later stated they would keep the tax levy the same as last year.

After a short debate with Mayor Lara Bradburn on whether he could speak longer than three minutes, Joe Mason, a Brooksville attorney representing six area businesses, argued that applying the fire fees could be considered unconstitutional and that council members should determine that first before moving forward.

Council members seemed to sway on the matter and twice more Buckner stood before council urging them to reconsider how the fees are implemented.

Eventually, council member Frankie Burnett said too much applause by the audience showed him that the city should do away with the fees until the fees could be more fairly implemented.

"If we're going to do something, let's do it right the first time," Burnett said. "Let's put it on back burner and look at the things that are messed up with it."

Council members considered tabling the matter until next week, but then agreed that it wasn't enough time to reconsider the matter.

The issue stems from council members previously agreeing to use the fire fees to alleviate paying for fire services from the general fund and council members agreeing to lower the tax rate proportionately to minimize the impact.

However, three out of five board members changed their minds last month and agreed to keep the tax levy at last year's 6.069 rate.

As of press deadline council members were considering a potential tax rate increase from last year's 6.069 rate to makeup for the loss of revenue from the fire fees.

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