2019-10-15 Ex 06Okeechobee
FLORIDA • Founded 1915
Memo
To: Mayor Dowling R. Watford Jr.
City Council:
Wes Abney
Monica Clark
Bob Jarriel
Bobby Keefe
From: City Administrator Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E.
October 8, 2019
Exhibit 6
Oct 15, 2019
RE: City Fire Service Options — Update to be Placed on October 15, 2019 Council Meeting
As directed by council, I have prepared clarifications and a basic outline for potential fire service options for
review and discussion. Staff has met with county administration and fire departments for clarification of the
expectations and potential future of fire services within the city and has incorporated a summary for review.
An immediate resolution for determining the future of the fire services are crucial due to staff morale and
potential timing of completing council's direction prior to the upcoming budget year-end.
Future Fire Service Options for the City
Retain Fire Department
Continue with current Fire department with additional review of standard operation procedures to
explore additional efficiencies
- Prepare an update to the previous report to complete an updated fire assessment for the City and
residences. Millage drop would be an immediate match in what is collected via the assessment.
Creation of an Independent Fire District
(An option not discussed, however, is in operation at several areas surrounding Okeechobee County)
Would be an independent taxing authority for both county and city
Would require "buy -in" from both entities prior to execution
Contracting Services to County
- All fire department services, fire and related inspections removed from City control.
- City retains taxing authority over residences and businesses.
Page 1
- Millage would be required to drop to "true costs" of fire department, a future potential drop of
millage of 3-4% depending on merger and other future costs.
Consolidation of Fire Services to County
- All fire department services removed from City control.
City surrenders taxing authority over residences and businesses, county to apply a newly
determined fire assessment on all businesses and residents in county. Note: it is expected that the
fire assessment for the county would decrease as the city's businesses and residents will supplant
county costs.
Residential assessments in the county are currently $108.15. Business assessments are based on
industrial or commercial usages, then applied to a rate table based on a square footage basis and
laddered on a flat rate between given ranges. The table will be forthcoming if required.
A note from staff regarding ad valorem; during the initial City Fire Assessment discussion in 2016
it was discovered that 25-30% of residences do not pay $100 combined in taxes to the city due to
exemptions and home values.
County Fire Assessments do not exempt any uses, i.e. houses of worship.
A millage reduction would be drastic, due to the costs diverted to the County and ultimately to the
residents. Residents would cover the assessment and potential future increased costs. A future
potential drop of millage of 5-6% may occur depending on merger details and other future costs.
Items of Consideration for Contracting of Services or Consolidation
(Independent Fire District Considerations Omitted)
ISO rating potentially will remain the same, a review of the county as a single operating agency will
be required.
Level of service to citizens will remain close to current level. Approximately 300 minor accident /
medical type calls per year will not have a fire response. Currently, under county standard operating
procedure would not warrant a response.
City does not duplicate county fire service, county does duplicate fire services within city due to
county EMS standard operating procedures, excludes mutual aid or auto -aid.
Over 1000 new business construction inspections and business tax inspections are conducted
annually. These inspections as well as any revenue generated would be lost. Inspections must be
merged with fire services, as they are an ISO item and cannot be separated.
Equipment transfer not included, however items would be negotiated on a one-on-one basis
County would require no more than 6 more employees, estimated currently at 0-6 new employees, to
cover the additional area. City Fire has 12 Firefighters, whom will be afforded the opportunity to
apply, however not guaranteed a position
City Firefighters would be afforded the opportunity to apply, however all rank and years of services
would be relinquished.
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City could potentially have to pay 60% of the salary of all those displaced for unemployment
benefits for up to two years
Pension benefits are to be determined — costs associated depend on other decisions. Additional costs
are expected for those vested (6), and potentially involve a severance/benefit given once position is
lost for those not vested based on years of service (6). Additional discussions with pension attorney
for continuation of the operation of the fire department pension to be determined as well as costs
associated.
Based on initial review with the county, costs for services would range from $0 up to $625k. Our
current total costs are approximately $1.3M. The City may incur additional costs for potential plan
reviewer and/or professional services for pension administration.
Current request from staff to retain internal Fire Department Plan Reviewer proposed. Reviewer
would have ability to assist with other building department reviews. There will also be a loss of
revenue for all inspections. Note: fire plan review costs are to stay within the City.
Page 3
Robin Brock
z p `R- to- 15 mutiILAR,
From: Marcos Montes De Oca
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2019 1:24 PM
To: Robin BrockFILE
Subject: county fire assessment rate sheet Copj���
Attachments: 00023119.PDF ( U. ,L& `b
Please share with council.
This is the current county fire assessment rate sheet. I wanted to provide them with this information.
I have also asked Lane / John if a referendum is required if we were to change the fire services.
Marcos
Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E.
City Administrator
City of Okeechobee
55 SE 31d Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974
(863) 763-3372 ext. 9812
Cell: (863) 801-0177
fax: (863) 763-1686
E -Mail: marcos(@citvofokeechobee.com
"NOTICE: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Okeechobee
officials and employees will be available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are
public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this
office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing."
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FIRE ASSESSMENT
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY USE
CATEGORIES
Rate Per Dwelling Unit
Residential
$108.15
AGRICULTURAL/VACANT
PROPERTY USE CATEGORIES
Rate Per Parcel
Agricultural/Vacant
$109.17
Rate Per Each Add'I
Acre (added to
Agricultural/Vacant >5
rate/parcel)
< 640 Acres
$0.00
Hotel/Motel/RV Parks
Rate Per Room/Space
Regulated by F.S. Chapter 513
�' $3.80
NON-RESIDENTIAL
Building Classification
Industrial/
PROPERTY USE CATEGORIES
(in sq. ft. ranges)
Commercial Warehouses
< 2,000
$161.00 $29.00
2,000
- 3,499
$322.00 $58.00
3,500
- 4,999
$564.00 $102.00
5,000
- 9,999
$806.00 $146.00
10,000 -
19,999
$1,612.00 $292.00
20,000 -
29,999
$3,224.00 $584.00
30,000 -
39,999
$4,836.00 $875.00
40,000 -
49,999
$6,448.00 $1,167.00
50,000 -
59,999
$8,060.00 $1,459.00
60,000 -
69,999
$9,672.00 $1,751.00
70,000 -
79,999
$11,284.00 $2,043.00
80,000 -
89,999
$12,896.00 $2,334.00
90,000 -
99,999
$14,508.00 $2,626.00
100,000 - 119,999
$16,121.00 $2,918.00
120,000 - 139,999
$19,345.00 $3,502.00
>= 140,000
$19,345.00 $4,085.00