MCFR's Funding Sources

 

How is MCFR funded?
 

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.


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

What is the fire assessment for the fiscal year 2008-2009?

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
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.

This is an average of $13.83 per month.

$25.56 + $140.43 = $165.99

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The number of EDUs is based on what's considered the average size of a single family residence which is 2,332 square feet.

  • 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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