The City of Ocala is hoping to replace a discontinued Fire User Fee whose legality was challenged this past summer with a non-ad valorem fire assessment. ‘
According to a “Q&A” posted by the city of Ocala on June 14, the city hopes to generate $9.2 million from the new assessment for the current fiscal year.
A non-ad valorem assessment is a special assessment or service charge that is not based on the value of the property. Non-ad valorem assessments are generally assessed to provide certain benefits to a property including services such as landscaping, security, lighting, and trash disposal.
Although the city says that the other option to generate the revenue would be through an increase in property taxes, it argues that would unfairly exempt those who are not currently paying property taxes, but who still “benefit from fire protection.”
The release indicates that the “costs are more equitably spread to all who benefit from Ocala Fire Rescue services” through the use of the assessment.
The fire assessment charge would only be levied on the owner or owners of a property, not the renters, lessees, or other non-owners of properties.
To read the entire release, visit the City of Ocala Fire Assessment Q & A page.