Winter Haven City Commissioners Give Preliminary Approval to Fire Assessment Study
by James Coulter
Should Winter Haven calculate fire assessment fees based on the fire department’s average call volume? Or should it adopt a new two‑tier system that evaluates buildings by size and property value? That’s the question the city hopes to answer through a new fire assessment study.
At their regular meeting on Aug. 10, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the scope of work with a consultant for a fire study and bring forward an Initial Assessment Resolution for consideration.
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. has been hired to conduct the study. In the first phase, the firm will develop the methodology and produce preliminary assessment calculations in a draft report for commissioners to review. That phase is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Commissioners will then vote on which method to adopt. Their decision will launch the second phase, which includes drafting ordinances and resolutions, notifying residents, holding adoption hearings, and preparing the final assessment roll. This phase is expected to take four to five months.
The study will evaluate two methodologies. The first is the standard “call‑for‑service” approach, which bases fees on call volume trends, dispatch data, and geographic response times.
The second option is the “availability method,” a two‑tier system that applies a per parcel flat fee on all parcels and then a cost based upon size and value.
“The two-tier fee component looks at the value of the buildings on a property, and it scales for every five‑thousand‑dollar increment of building value that you have,” said Joe Williams, Raftelis Senior Manager. “It does result in a more progressive fee, similar to how you’re currently collecting funds through ad valorem.”
Commissioner Tracy Mercer inquired about the assessment process for vacant lots. Williams explained that each vacant property would pay the same base fee as all others under the availability method.
Commissioner Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr. asked whether the assessment would apply to all buildings within city limits. Williams confirmed it would, noting the city could choose to exempt nonprofit properties.
City Manager T. Michael Stavres clarified that exempting certain properties would not cause higher fees for others. Instead, any uncollected revenue would be treated as “lost revenue” that the city would need to replace through other municipal sources.
He added that the study is being advanced to help evaluate alternative revenue, an important step if Florida Amendment 3 passes in November, expanding property tax exemptions and reducing local government revenue.
Mayor Brian Yates praised the study’s value regardless of the amendment’s outcome. If Amendment 3 passes, the findings will help the city make “educated decisions” about how to continue funding public safety. If it does not, the study could still identify opportunities to reduce the millage rate, he explained.
“For me, this study is about having all of this information so we can make the most informed decision going forward,” he said.
“If we were to go down this road, as I have said before, I would not be in favor of supplementing any loss due to Amendment 3 solely by a fire assessment fee,” he further elaborated. “For me, the fire assessment fee could potentially be used as one of the many pieces to the puzzle to put this thing together. I think there is some potential to make changes within the city budget, make some cuts and adjustments.”
If approved, the new fire assessment is expected to generate revenue for the November 2027 tax bills, Williams said.
