The City Council of DeFuniak Springs is having difficulty funding the city’s fire department.
But with the costs of maintaining the fire service “in-house” increasing, the city’s projections indicate a city-operated department may become unaffordable.
In his presentation to the City Council, City Manager Koby Townsend noted that the projected cost for the Fire Department in the current year exceeds $1.9 million – most spent on personnel. Equipment, training and facilities.
The City Council has been briefed over the last year on the physical condition of the fire station, which city leaders say, based on a recent building inspection, needs significant repair and maintenance. Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Heavilin even commented at the meeting this week that the city’s fire station has a problem with black mold.
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Regular maintenance and maintenance of the highest standards is essential for a proficient Insurance Services Office or ISO score. The ISO score is supposed to be an objective score that rates how well a local fire department can serve its community. Scores are between 1 and 10 – and are determined by variables like number of firefighters, resources and abilities the department brings to the table.
Currently, DeFuniak has an ISO score of ‘5’ according to Fire Chief Ross Sheffield. In his presentation to the City Council, he added that he is meeting with the ISO this month and believes it is possible for the city’s rating to improve.
Planning a Way Forward – How will DFS Provide Fire Service?
It was clear from the approximately 2-hour discussion that finding a way forward and planning for the projected annual increase in Fire Department expenses must be a priority. To that end, City Manager Townsend brought forward a proposal from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office – which he says would save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
What’s the catch? These answers are still outstanding because formal negotiations have not yet taken place. However, Townsend shared that, according to the sheriff’s proposal, the cost to the city of DeFuniak Springs would be $1 million for the first year.
With a projected cost by the City Manager of $1.9 million (in-house), the council members appeared to have a significant interest in knowing more. Toward the end of the discussion, Townsend fielded many questions regarding the informal discussions that he had with the Sheriff’s office. Townsend added, “They [the Sheriff’s Office] provided to the city everything they are going to provide. If the city wishes for us to enter into ‘term sheet negotiations,’ y’all can send me over to do that [represent the city for preliminary negotiations.] That’s the direction [requested] from the Walton County Sheriff’s office.”
City Attorney, Clay Adkinson, brought further clarity to the proposed process of negotiating a potential agreement with the Sheriff’s Office, saying, “If the council wants to bring back a formalized negotiation, it needs to task Koby [Townsend] with doing that…There are questions about who’s going to do what? How many years? Those are term sheet negotiations. Do you [the City] own that million-dollar contract for one year? Do you want it for five years? What do you want it to be [indicating the preferred terms of the City Council]? Those are the things you’ve got to go back and forth with.”
Should Residents of Defuniak Springs Anticipate a Tax Increase for Fire Department Services?
During this lengthy discussion, a proposal for a taxpayer assessment, or additional tax, was also on the table. City Council expressed concern about adding taxes on residents and businesses to help cover the annual cost of fire department services. In his presentation, Townsend accounted for the cost of renovating and building new fire stations, purchasing new ladder fire trucks, growing departments, and the need for additional firefighters to provide 24-hour coverage at each city location. AssessmenGood morningt.
In DeFuniak Springs, there has not been a tax or assessment for fire service in the past. This assessment, if imposed, would be a new tax for residents and local businesses.
Townsend, with the direction of the City Council, will continue formal discussions with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office regarding the potential services to be provided.
In addition, Townsend has been directed to approach the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to explore potential financial support the BCC may offer the city. It is important to mention that the DeFuniak Springs Fire Department and the surrounding fire departments (including Walton County) have a reciprocal relationship. If assistance is needed – regardless of where it is in the county, DeFuniak Springs has been willing to assist neighboring communities in the county.
Townsend is hoping to make a presentation to the BCC at one of its next two meetings. More details will be provided on the way forward for the Fire Service in DeFuniak Springs following the negotiations with the Sheriff’s Office and the BCC.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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