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MCFR's Funding Sources
Marion County Fire Rescue relies on several funding sources
to pay for its exceptional services including: ad valorem
taxes based on property values; non-ad valorem fire
assessments based on benefit of service; impact fees on new
development and other fees for services such as ambulance
transport and stand-by services, building inspections,
hazardous materials spills and illegal burns.
What are non-ad valorem taxes?
The non-ad valorem fire assessment is based on benefit
of service instead of property value and distributes costs
evenly among citizens countywide. That means everyone pays
regardless of the size or value of their home. The fire
assessment funds MCFR's firefighting budget and pays
firefighter salaries, benefits, training and education as
well as other items such as fire engines, nozzles, hoses,
bunker gear, ladders, electricity and fire station expenses.
The residential rate, or $165.99, has remained the same for
the last three years.
What are impact fees?
Impact fees are levied on new development based on the
impact that growth and increased population have on fire
rescue resources and the 9-1-1 call load. Commissioners
earmark money generated from impact fees solely for capital
improvement projects. This means, MCFR can only spend impact
fee dollars on building new fire stations and purchasing
additional equipment such as fire rescue vehicles.
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From L to R: Commissioner Charlie Stone,
Chief Stuart M. McElhaney and Powell Dingler
The fire assessment pays for
benefits and salaries of MCFR's firefighters |
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What is the fire assessment for the fiscal year
2008-2009?
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| Unit of Measure |
Demand for Service
Base on Calls |
+ |
Availabiltiy (EDU Charge)
Based on Square Footage |
| Residential and Mobile Home |
Number of homes X $25.56 |
+ |
Number of homes X $140.43 |
| Commercial |
0.0533 X sq. ft. (capped at
200,000 sq. ft.) |
+ |
sq. ft. 2,332 X $140.43 |
| Industrial/Warehouse |
0.0104 X sq. ft. (capped at
200,000 sq. ft.) |
+ |
sq. ft. 2,332 X $140.43 |
| Institutional |
0.0829 X sq. ft. (capped at
200,000 sq. ft.) |
+ |
sq. ft. 2,332 X $140.43 |
| Miscellaneous Buildings |
Buildings 0.0070 X sq. ft (1) |
+ |
No EDU charge (2) |
| Hotel/RV Park |
0.0533 X sq. ft (3) |
+ |
sq. ft. 2,332 X $140.43 |
| Land |
Acres X $1.03 (4) |
+ |
No EDU charge |
(1) There is no demand
charge for buildings smaller than 300 square
feet.
(2) Miscellaneous buildings 0-300 square feet
are exempt from the EDU charge.
(3) The average RV unit is based on 191 square
feet; 191 square feet times the number of
occupied spaces equals the total square footage.
(4) If a structure on a property is considered
"improved," the first five acres are free. |
EXAMPLE
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Under the fire assessment methodology, if you live in a
3,000 square foot home on four acres of land, you paid $165.99
for the fire assessment to enhance fire rescue services.
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This is an average of $13.83 per month.
$25.56 + $140.43 = $165.99
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The service component is based on the annual
number of fire emergencies. The availability component is based
on the availability of firefighters to respond to residential
and non-residential fires.
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For residential properties, the availability
component is $140.43 per dwelling. For non-residential
properties, the assessment is based on what's called an
equivalent dwelling unit or EDU.
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The number of EDUs is based on what's considered the average
size of a single family residence which is 2,332 square feet.
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The number of times 2,332 square feet will divide into the
total square footage of a non-residential property will
determine the number of EDUs calculated for non-residential
properties.
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