Submitted By: Tammi Haslam
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Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
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Department: Budget
FORMAL TITLE:
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Resolution 2025-XX to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025-26 fire assessment rates
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
8/1/2025 Ocala Gazette
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Ocala provides comprehensive fire protection and first responder medical services throughout the City, which make available special benefits to improved properties in the City. The City incurs significant costs related to the provision of fire protection services, facilities, and programs, as well as maintaining the availability of these services, facilities, and programs on an ongoing basis for the public benefit.
At a public hearing on December 1, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2021-13, which amended the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ocala, Florida, by establishing a new Article IV in Chapter 30, Fire Assessment. The ordinance provides specific authority and a process for the initial and future annual adoption of fire assessments. The ordinance establishes a process and structure for the adoption of fire assessments. This process applies to the adoption of fire assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Preliminary Resolution 2025-34 was adopted by the Council on July 15, 2025, to approve the fire assessment methodology, to establish the proposed rates for Fiscal Year 2025-26. To direct the preparation of the fire assessment roll, to set a date for a public hearing, and to direct the publication and mailing of notices of proposed fire assessments.
The date of the public hearing was publicly noticed through the Truth in Millage notice, which was mailed by the Marion County Property Appraiser's Office. Additionally, a notice was published in the Ocala Gazette on August 1, 2025.
The City intends to use the Uniform Method for the levy, collection, and enforcement of the non-ad valorem fire assessment ...
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