On March 11, 2025, the Brevard County Commission convened to address a pressing issue: the need for increased funding for Brevard County Fire Rescue. The discussion, centered around agenda item J2, highlighted significant staffing shortages, excessive mandatory overtime, and facility maintenance challenges plaguing the fire department. Led by Commissioner Delaney, the commission voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare recommendations for increasing the fire assessment, signaling a proactive step toward resolving a looming financial and operational crisis.
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Commissioner Delaney opened the discussion by emphasizing the urgent need to adequately fund the fire department. She cited alarming statistics: since January 1, 2024, the department has seen 121 personnel separations, resulting in a significant loss of experience. Additionally, between January 1, 2024, and February 10, 2025, firefighters logged 24,692 hours of mandatory overtime—a staggering figure that underscores the staffing shortfall. The department has also spent $7,297,000 on warehouses, raising questions about resource allocation when personnel needs remain unmet.
“Staffing is the biggest need and should be at the forefront of the conversation,” Delaney asserted. She dispelled the narrative that raising taxes is the sole solution, instead proposing a collaborative approach involving impact fees, the fire assessment, the 1998 referendum, and spending cuts to free up general funds for fire rescue.
The fire department is bracing for a $5 million deficit at the start of the new year, largely due to the expiration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that had been used to stabilize its budget. The Chief explained that a previous seven-year plan included a 33% increase in the fire assessment, but ARPA funds allowed the board to spread the financial burden over time. However, at the plan’s conclusion, a $1 million deficit is still projected. Delaney requested an updated seven-year plan from the fire chief to address these challenges, a move supported by the commission.
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Commissioner Atkinson inquired whether the fire assessment update was already in motion. The Chief confirmed that the department is in year four of the existing plan, and an update would allow the board to adjust the assessment as needed. Commissioner Goodson sought clarification on the overtime figures, to which the Chief responded that they encompass all forms of leave—sick, vacation, and holidays—further illustrating the strain on personnel.
Public comments added depth to the discussion. Sandra Sullivan, a resident, supported increasing the fire assessment but highlighted immediate funding gaps, noting that the assessment wouldn’t provide relief this year. She suggested reallocating $1.71 million from a space phase two study, arguing that the space industry should fund its own research. Sullivan also pointed to neglected maintenance issues, such as mold at Station 62 since 2021, which she claimed was only addressed after intervention from a prominent individual. She proposed sunsetting the Economic Development Commission (EDS), which draws from the general fund, to redirect resources to fire rescue.
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Theia Thorne, whose husband retired from Brevard County Fire Rescue in 2009, shared a historical perspective. She referenced studies from 2006 and 2015 that revealed firefighters and other employees were underpaid, urging the commission to “do the right thing” for both the public and the department. Thorne also hinted at corruption, suggesting that cutting wasteful spending could free up funds.
The discussion touched on broader fiscal implications. Sullivan acknowledged that raising the fire assessment would necessitate a corresponding increase in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) funding. However, she opposed increasing the millage rate, citing a voter-approved referendum that expanded the homestead exemption and imposed a property tax cap. Commissioner Alman pressed Sullivan on this point, but she stood firm against lifting the cap.
Commissioner Delaney echoed the sentiment that voters implemented the tax cap for a reason. She encouraged departments to identify cost-saving measures, pointing to projects like the $735,000 replacement of six pavilions in South Point Park as potential areas for scrutiny. “We have to affect the EMS side too,” she noted, emphasizing the interconnected nature of public safety funding.
Commissioner Feltner addressed concerns about facility maintenance, recounting his immediate response to issues at the Sea Park firehouse upon learning of them. Staff outlined the process for raising the fire assessment: if approved, they would return within 30 days with options, followed by a letter to residents and two public hearings. However, any voter referendum on the matter couldn’t occur until 2026, leaving the commission to explore interim solutions.
Ultimately, Commissioner Altman moved to direct staff to prepare recommendations for increasing the fire assessment, a motion seconded by Commissioner Atkinson. The vote passed 5-0, reflecting a unified commitment to tackling the crisis. Altman also requested staff to identify additional cost-saving opportunities through project reviews, signaling a multi-pronged approach to financial stability.
The Commission’s decision is a critical step toward addressing the fire department’s funding woes, but challenges remain. With a $5 million deficit looming, ongoing staffing shortages, and facilities in disrepair, the coming months will test the county’s ability to balance public safety needs with fiscal responsibility. As staff prepares its recommendations, residents and officials alike await a plan that ensures Brevard County Fire Rescue can continue to serve effectively—without breaking the bank or the trust of its taxpayers.
