title
Fire Assessment - Preliminary Rate Resolution (B)
A resolution of the City of Gainesville, Florida, relating to the provision and funding of fire services, facilities and programs in the City of Gainesville; providing for the imposition and computation of fire services special assessments; providing for legislative determinations of special benefit and fair apportionment; describing the method of assessing fire services assessed costs against assessed property located within the City of Gainesville; establishing the estimated assessment rate for fire assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020; directing the preparation of an assessment roll; providing for hardship assistance; providing for method of collection; authorizing a public hearing and directing the provision of notice thereof; providing for application of assessment proceeds; providing for severability; and providing an immediate effective date.
recommendation
The City Commission: 1) establish a Preliminary Rate of $133.00 per Net Factored Fire Protection Unit for the Fire Services Special Assessment; 2) set the public hearing on the Annual Rate Resolution at 6:00 pm (or as soon thereafter as may be heard) on September 10, 2020; and 3) adopt the proposed Preliminary Rate Resolution.
explanation
On June 9, 2008, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 070623 which establishes the authority to implement a Fire Services Special Assessment each year if the Commission chooses to do so.
The Preliminary Rate Resolution, if adopted, would establish a maximum assessment rate for the Fire Services Special Assessment and provide for notice to affected property owners of the proposed rates. The Preliminary Rate Resolution also provides for notice of a public hearing on the Annual Rate Resolution to be held on the date as set forth in the Resolution.
In adopting the Preliminary Rate Resolution the Commission will have to determine the Preliminary Rate to be sent in the notice to affected property owners. The City Manager has recommended the rate stay the same for FY 2020-21, that being $133.00 per Net Factored Fire Protection Unit, which is approximately 50% of the assessable costs to provide fire services. If the Commission decides to change that rate, the change will be made in the Preliminary Rate Resolution. (See page 4 of the Resolution). The Preliminary Rate can be anywhere from 100% of the assessable costs to provide fire services, or less. It must be noted, however, that while the Preliminary Rate can change at the final hearing, it cannot be increased, but can only be decreased. In other words, if the Commission establishes the Preliminary Rate at $133.00 per Fire Protection Unit and notices that as the Preliminary Rate, at the Final Hearing the $133.00 Assessment can decrease, but it cannot go above $133.00.
In adopting the Preliminary Rate Resolution, the Commission will have to set the date for a public hearing. The City Manager has recommended that date be September 10, 2020 at 6:00 pm (see page 6 of the Resolution). If the Commission decides to change that date, changes will be made to the Resolution.