News Summary
City Manager Reese Goad has requested that the Tallahassee City Commission approve an increase in Fire Service Fees after the County Commission rejected a proposed hike. Goad highlights concerns about funding for fire services as the area continues to grow. A significant study indicated the need for increased financial support, which the county’s decision undermines. The city looks to present a detailed proposal to address these funding issues during the upcoming budget meeting.
TALLAHASSEE – City Manager Reese Goad has requested the Tallahassee City Commission to approve an increase in Fire Service Fees and Assessments after the Leon County Commission voted against a proposed 22% hike last Tuesday. This decision from the county is seen as a rejection of the findings from a significant study aimed at evaluating the funding requirements for fire services.
The special meeting of the Leon County Commission resulted in a vote that opted not to raise the fire service rate. Goad emphasized that this move undermines the recent 2025 Fire Service Fee Rate study, which was designed to identify the best allocation of funding for fire services in the area. He expressed concern over the county’s decision to leave Fire Service Fees unchanged for properties located in unincorporated Leon County, stating that this neglects the comprehensive research that sought to address necessary funding levels.
In light of the county’s ruling, Goad informed the City Commission that he had directed the County Attorney to withdraw demands for arbitration regarding Fire Service Fees, as the matters at hand were determined not to be eligible for arbitration. He noted that both the city and county had already incurred significant expenses during the three weeks of arbitration discussions, yet achieved no fruitful outcomes.
Goad’s correspondence referenced a prior agreement with the fire union, noting that actual firefighter wages exceed what the study projected. The agreement, stemming from the 2023 rate study, includes funding provisions that would support hiring firefighters for Stations 15 and 17. However, plans for the construction of these stations will now be postponed. Instead, to fulfill the standards set by the National Fire Protection Association, new hires will serve at existing city stations until the new construction is finalized.
As part of his recommendations to the City Commission, Goad suggested not only increasing Fire Service Fees but also delaying the construction timeline for new fire stations and related equipment. He is set to present detailed aspects of this proposal during the City Commission’s budget meeting scheduled for September 3, 2025.
Earlier this year, the Tallahassee City Commission had unanimously approved a proposed increase of 20% to 25% in fire service fees, expected to take effect this September. On average, city residents can anticipate an increase of around $4.86 per month due to this adjustment. The financial boost generated from this fee increase is intended to facilitate the hiring of 26 new firefighters, establish a new fire station, and expand an existing fire station.
Mayor John Dailey conveyed satisfaction regarding the unanimous support for the fee hike, reinforcing the critical need for financial sustenance for the fire department. In contrast, Fire Chief Gene Sanders pointed to the escalating necessity for additional firefighters as the community continues to grow.
Furthermore, the increase in Fire Service Fees is expected to positively influence Tallahassee and Leon County’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings, potentially leading to lower property insurance premiums for homeowners. Despite these expected benefits, City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow voiced concerns about the long-term financial impact of these increased rates on residents. He has suggested that the city assess alternative funding options from the general fund to alleviate financial pressure on its constituents.
Previously, Leon County Commissioners expressed their reservations toward the fire service fee hike, mainly due to concerns about implementing rate increases in consecutive years. In light of the county’s refusal to accept the proposed increase, Goad has outlined the city’s plan to proceed with the fire service fee increase. Additionally, a process for conflict resolution is anticipated, as the Tallahassee City Commission has not accepted the terms presented by the county regarding the Fire Service Fee increase.
As this situation continues to unfold, both the City and County officials are expected to engage in discussions to find common ground and address the funding concerns tied to fire services in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Leon County Rejects Fire Service Fee Increase
Commissioner Jeremy Matlow Announces Mayoral Run in Tallahassee
Concerns Raised Over Leon County Clerk’s Office Operations
Leon County Schools Considers Legal Action Over Renaissance Academy Closure
Leon County Property Taxes Expected to Rise Amid Value Increases
Leon County School Board Approves Balanced Budget
Leon County School Board Approves $645 Million Budget Amid Challenges
Tallahassee’s Fire Services Fee Controversy Escalates
Tallahassee Officials at Odds Over Fire Service Fees
Leon County Schools Faces Budget Crisis and Proposed Tax Increase
Additional Resources
- WTXL: City Manager Calls for Fire Service Fees Increase
- Wikipedia: Fire Service
- Tallahassee Reports: City to Postpone Fire Station Construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fees
- Tallahassee.com: Fire Service Fees Going Up
- Google Search: Tallahassee Fire Service Fees
- Tallahassee.com: Leon County Residents and Fire Service Fee Increase
- Google News: Tallahassee Fire Service
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
