FY 2026-27 Fire District Tax Rate Increases
Summary
Six of seven volunteer fire departments want tax rate increases of 1.1 to 3.2 cents to cover pay, physicals, pagers, and 24-hour staffing expansion at four stations. One speaker described her department absorbing a $35,000 shortfall from a county entry error last year.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 29, 2026.
Impact analysis
District tax rates would rise to between 10.4 and 18.2 cents; Tramway's budget alone grows $237,480 (28.4%).
Residents served by the volunteer departments get maintained equipment and expanded 24-hour coverage.
District property owners, including a speaker who reported an 80% fire tax increase since 2020, pay higher rates.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of Commissioners - Jun 29, 2026
Seven of eight fire districts will see tax rate increases, with Pocket jumping from 15.0 to 18.2 cents per $100 — the highest in the county. Residents questioned whether staffing increases are justified by call volumes, while chiefs cited rising costs and inability to compete with municipal firefighter pay.
Board of Commissioners - Jun 1, 2026
Six of seven volunteer fire departments want tax rate increases of 1.1 to 3.2 cents to cover pay, physicals, pagers, and 24-hour staffing expansion at four stations. One speaker described her department absorbing a $35,000 shortfall from a county entry error last year.
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