MELBOURNE, Fla. — Homeowners in unincorporated Brevard County will pay 37% more in fire services special assessment fees starting Oct. 1, after commissioners unanimously approved the increase Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The Brevard County Commission voted Tuesday to raise fire services special assessment fees by 37%

  • County officials say homeowners in unincorporated Brevard will pay about $100 more per year after the increases goes into effect on Oct. 1

  • Commissioners said the increase was needed to help pay higher salaries for firefighters and paramedics

  • The fee increase will raise about $14 million per year

County officials say the higher fees will amount to about $100 more per year for homeowners and will raise about $14 million annually.

Brevard County Fire Rescue currently is down 100 firefighters and is on track to lose the same amount this year. The first responders say they are leaving for higher paying jobs.

Most of the funds raised by the fee increase will go toward boosting the salaries of firefighters and paramedics, but some will be used to improve fire stations and modernize equipment.

Many homeowners said they don't believe they should shoulder the burden to fund the department.

At a contentious Brevard County Commission meeting Tuesday, more than two dozen residents spoke out against the fee increase.

Property owners like Cliff Thibodeau, though, were more sympathetic to the higher fees.

Thibodeau has owned his home for 24 years in West Melbourne, which contracts with Brevard Fire Rescue for fire protection.

“The price of everything is going up. Everybody’s got to make a living," Thibodeau said. "First responders are no different.”

District 1 Commissioner Katie Delaney said action needed to be taken.

“If we don’t do something right now, we are going to be put in a situation where ambulances won’t come because there are no firefighters, there are no paramedics,” she said.