BOYNTON BEACH, FL — Boynton Beach city commissioners unanimously advanced a preliminary fire rescue assessment increase Tuesday that would raise the residential rate by $25 per home for the coming fiscal year, pairing the hike with a separately proposed rollback of the city's property tax rate.
The 5-0 vote on Resolution R26-123 sets the maximum residential fire assessment rate at $170 per dwelling unit, up from $145 this year, and clears the rate for inclusion on the annual TRIM notices mailed to property owners. Commissioners are scheduled to hold a final public hearing on the assessment at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8.
"To go back to the rolled-back rate while every other city is looking to raise taxes is a huge step in the right direction," Vice Mayor Thomas Turkin said. Turkin said he would not have supported the fire assessment increase without the paired property tax reduction, arguing that the assessment revenue is legally restricted to fire services while general property tax revenue is not.
Resolution R26-123 amends and restates the preliminary rate the commission adopted June 30, which had set the estimated fire rescue assessed cost at $10,215,958. The revised resolution raises that estimated cost to $13,386,802 before discounts, or approximately $11.84 million after excluding tax-exempt properties, according to the staff memo. The residential rate reflects an 84% funded scenario in the staff analysis, one of six options presented in the rate scenario exhibit. A 100% funded scenario would have raised the residential rate to $202 per dwelling unit.
The revised rates approved for the TRIM notices are:
- Residential: $170 per dwelling unit (up $25)
- Commercial: $0.38 per square foot (up $0.06)
- Industrial/warehouse: $0.09 per square foot (up $0.02)
- Institutional: $0.42 per square foot (up $0.06)
- Nursing home: $0.42 per square foot (up $0.06)
City staff told commissioners the fire assessment increase would generate about $1.5 million in additional revenue, part of a package intended to offset a projected $6.5 million impact on the general fund from labor costs, cost-of-living adjustments, and the proposed reduction in the property tax rate. The current millage rate of 7.775 would drop to a proposed rolled-back rate of 7.4257, which staff estimated would reduce ad valorem revenue by roughly $2.7 million and reduce revenue to the city's Community Redevelopment Agency by about $700,000.
Staff also said the city has extended a six-month hiring freeze to 12 months, expected to save about $1.5 million, and has identified another $1.7 million in departmental reductions. Any remaining gap would be covered by a projected $1.8 million draw from the city's fund balance, which staff said currently holds about $30 million.
Commissioner Mack McCray initially said he would vote against the fire assessment increase, citing concerns about District 2 residents and prior assurances that the fire assessment would sunset within seven years of its original adoption.
"In good faith because of District 2, and the median income of those households over there, I will not be able to support an increase," McCray said. He said he wanted to be able to go back to his community and say he had done the best he could.
McCray shifted his position after City Attorney Shawna Lamb clarified that Tuesday's vote sets the maximum rate for TRIM notice purposes and that the final rate would be adopted at the September hearing.
"I will vote in favor of the preliminary, but at the next time we come up, if there are any changes, then, you know, my mind can go a different way," McCray said.
Commissioner Angela Cruz urged caution about deeper cuts, arguing that rates adopted this year would establish the baseline for future budgets and noting broader uncertainty about state policy changes later in the year.
"Any changes we make this year are going to be the baseline for next year," Cruz said. She asked staff to continue searching for reductions before the September hearing, saying the city should protect previously committed cost-of-living adjustments and collective bargaining agreements.
Commissioner Aimee Kelley asked staff to bring back data on how many residents are applying for the city's fire assessment hardship waivers, whether any applications are being denied, and whether the criteria should be adjusted to reach more residents in need. Staff said the number of waiver applications has been lower than expected and that no completed application has been denied. Staff said the waiver data would be provided before the next hearing.
Two residents spoke directly to the fire assessment during public comment.
Cindy Falco DeCorrado urged the commission to reject any increase and argued that neighboring communities served by Boynton Beach Fire Rescue should carry more of the cost.
"I'm here tonight to oppose any increase in the fire assessment," Falco DeCorrado said, adding that the city provides service to Ocean Ridge, Hypoluxo, Briny Breezes, and Gulf Stream. "We already pay high taxes."
Resident David Katz responded during his own comment that the outside communities served by Boynton Beach utilities pay a 25% surcharge on top of standard rates.
Resident Harry Woodworth asked the commission to distinguish between mandatory and discretionary spending in the broader budget and to consider whether cuts should be applied evenly across every department and neighborhood.
"There are people in this city that can withstand cuts more than others. There are departments that can withstand cuts more than others," Woodworth said.
The final public hearing on the fire assessment is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 8 in the commission chambers at City Hall, 100 East Ocean Avenue. Notices to affected property owners must be published and mailed by Aug. 18. The city's first budget hearing is also set for Sept. 8, with the final budget hearing on Sept. 16.
Boynton Beach has imposed a fire rescue assessment annually since 2008 under Ordinance No. 08-017. The assessment methodology used by the city was upheld by Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal in Desiderio Corp. v. City of Boynton Beach in 2010, according to language in the resolution.
Police, fire rescue, emergency services, and public safety funding are regular topics before Boynton Beach officials. Boca Post covers the Boynton Beach government decisions that affect safety, response times, and city services.
