Santa Rosa County wants to increase its fire protection budget from $1.1 million to $2.89 million by raising its fire fees. The money will fund new stations, equipment and paid firefighters for Allentown, Bagdad, Berrydale, East Milton, Harold, Munson, Pace, Skyline and Jay.
Holley-Navarre, Midway, Avalon and Navarre Beach have fire departments created by acts of the Legislature and are funded by assessments based on property values.
The Midway fire budget alone is a little less than $3 million. In January 2007, Midway fire district voters will vote on a referendum on how to fund its fire service in the future – whether to go tospecial flat fee assessments or stay with ad valorem taxes.
Gulf Breeze and Milton fire services are provide by the city governments.