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| Fire Rescue
Funding
Funding
for Escambia County’s fire service is provided through
a fire protection Municipal Services Benefit Unit
(MSBU). An MSBU is an assessment on property that
receives a special benefit such as fire protection.
Each private dwelling unit within the unincorporated
area of Escambia County is assessed an MSBU fee of
$75 annually. Commercial property is assessed based
on the square footage of the business at .0248 cents
per square foot. In addition, agricultural property
is assessed at $10.83 per parcel, and .03 cents per
acre over the first acre. The current assessment generates
approximately $9,600,000 per year in revenue and is
collected through the County Tax Collector’s Office.
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All revenue
generated by the MSBU must be used exclusively for fire-rescue
services. This includes operating expenses for fuel,
oil, station utilities, office supplies, personal protective
equipment, fire trucks, fire stations, and other fire
fighting tools and equipment. In addition, the fire
protection MSBU provides funding for salaries and benefits
of forty (40) career daytime firefighters and five (5)
support personnel.
When compared to other counties in Florida, Escambia
County’s fees for fire protection are more than amiable.
For example, Polk and Marion Counties are of comparable
population and property valuations when compared to
Escambia County. However, Polk County residents pay
$70 per year for residential occupancies and commercial
assessments range from $64 to $3,225 for fire protection.
Marion County residents pay $72 for residential occupancies
under 2000 square feet, and assessments begin at $144
per year for commercial occupancies.
The Escambia County Fire Chief and the Executive Committee
of the Volunteer Firefighters Association work together
closely to effectively allocate funds for the operation
of sixteen (16) fire districts throughout Escambia County,
as well as distribute funds for fire service capital
improvements. The entire budgeting process is done under
the auspices of the Board of County Commissioners.
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