St. Augustine commission approves fire-assessment fee increase

The City Commission voted to adopt a final resolution increasing the city’s non-ad valorem fire assessment.

Ms. Burns presented resolution 2026-25, explaining the change raises residential assessments from 7.76¢ to 9¢ per square foot and nonresidential assessments from 13.91¢ to 16¢ per square foot. She clarified "accessible square footage" includes any structure with a roof or walls—conditioned or not—such as garages and finished porches, and that vacant land is not assessed.

Residents and business owners who spoke during the public hearing expressed mixed views. Wolfgang Shao opposed any increase, asking where prior increased revenue had been spent. Dana Taylor, a Davis Shores business owner, said she supports first responders but criticized the city’s purchase terms on the Blue Water Jewelers property and asked whether station siting was the right approach. "You don't simply go back to the taxpayers and ask for more money," Taylor said. BJ Kalady urged support for safety and noted Flagler College and other institutions do not pay ad valorem taxes, which the assessment helps address.

City officials and commissioners said the assessment is part of a long-term strategy to diversify revenue and to ensure the fire department can replace equipment and maintain service levels; staff estimated the change would collect just under $500,000 and noted fire apparatus often exceed $1,000,000 in cost. City Manager clarified the assessment increase "is not" being driven by the new Anastasia Boulevard fire station but by equipment replacement and inflationary costs.

After discussion, a motion to adopt resolution 2026-25 was seconded and approved on a recorded roll call.