Viera, FL — Despite vocal opposition from residents, the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 20 to approve a substantial 37% increase in the county’s fire assessment rate, set to take effect for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The move, described by commissioners as an unfortunate but necessary response to growing safety concerns, aims to address what was repeatedly characterized as a public safety and staffing crisis within Brevard County Fire Rescue.
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The decision came after the board adopted “Option 1” from staff recommendations, which not only includes the 37% hike but also proposes annual increases tied to inflation—either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 3%, whichever is lower. The increase will be used to address capital and infrastructure needs omitted from the county’s previous 7-year plan, recover losses due to inflation from 2021 to 2025, and make up for the exhaustion of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Public Reaction: Deep Division Between Mail Responses and In-Person Testimony
County staff reported that notices sent to residents led to 369 responses, with approximately 70% expressing support for the rate increase. However, the atmosphere in the commission chambers told a different story. Nearly every public speaker opposed the measure, voicing frustration, financial anxiety, and distrust.
Residents argued that:
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Property taxes were already rising due to inflated home values.
The annual CPI-based increase felt like a “perpetual tax” with no guarantee of future oversight.
Homeowners on fixed incomes—seniors, veterans, and the disabled—could not afford the compounded increases.
The square footage-based assessment method ignored factors like construction type and building age, leading to perceived inequities.
Previous increases were implemented without proper public notification.
Several speakers proposed alternatives, including raising impact fees on developers, taxing entertainment businesses like video arcades, and reallocating funds from special interest allocations. Others demanded that the county find internal cost-cutting measures or re-prioritize spending.
Fire Rescue in Crisis: Staffing Shortages and Burnout
Officials from Brevard County Fire Rescue painted a grim picture of current conditions. In 2024 alone, the department lost nearly 100 firefighters—about 20% of its force—due in large part to uncompetitive pay. Without intervention, officials warned, the county could lose another 100 this year.
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The impact of understaffing has already led to mandatory overtime, burnout, and growing concerns over response times. Commissioner Jason Alman called it a “life safety crisis” and emphasized that without action, the county risks property losses and even lives.
“We have some of the most professional first responders in the state, but we’re going to lose them,” Alman said. “And then the cost of rebuilding the department will be even greater.”
Commissioners: ‘Not Ideal, But Urgent’
Several commissioners, especially those newly elected in November, acknowledged the strain this increase will place on homeowners but said the county’s hands were tied by years of financial neglect.
“This is the consequence of decades of rolling back millage rates, failing to modernize impact fees, and allowing growth to outpace funding,” said Commissioner Megan Delaney. She addressed concerns raised about funding for unrelated projects—like the Searstown Mall redevelopment—clarifying that those funds came from the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and could not legally be redirected toward fire services.
Delaney also said she was exploring other avenues, including a possible bill before the Governor that could allow the county to allocate some tourism tax revenue toward public safety. Commissioners also discussed the potential to dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue, though current state restrictions limit flexibility.
There was some interest in amending the plan to cap the CPI/3% increases to just three years, but the suggestion was never formally introduced as an amendment before the board voted.
What’s Next
The unanimous 5-0 vote means the 37% rate increase is now locked in for the upcoming fiscal year. While commissioners insisted they are actively searching for sustainable funding solutions, the public remains wary.
As Commissioner Alman put it, “This is not about politics. This is about keeping people alive.”
