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Margate fire fees increasing to $225 a year
• Fire assessment up more than 600 percent over eight year period
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Monday,
June 7, 2010
Effective October 1, 2010 Margate Fire Rescue fees are proposed to increase more than 20 percent for Margate residences, from $185 per Margate household to $225 annually.
A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 7, 2010 at Margate City Hall at 7:00 p.m. in Commission Chambers.
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Fire fees for commercial properties are also proposed to increase based on square footage amounts (see chart).
Margate Fire Rescue costs assessed for the coming fiscal year amount to roughly $8 million, according to the city’s Estimated Fire Rescue Assessment Rate Schedule.
Fire fees haven’t increased in Margate since 2007, when the city raised fees more than 75 percent, from $105 to $185.
In the eight year period 2002 – 2010, Margate fire fees have gone from $33 to $225, an increase of about 680 percent.
The population of Margate has grown a scant one percent from years 2000-2007 (about 585 people) – a far slower growth rate than the national average of 1.1 percent yearly and a less robust growth rate than cities bordering Margate, say U.S. Census reports.
Fewer residences and businesses in Margate pay fire fees as a result of home foreclosures, bankruptcies, commercial demolitions and business closings in the city, the result of a down economy.
Total alarms for fire and medical have decreased 31 percent and six percent, respectively, over the period 2006-2008.
Margate Fire Chief, Garry Westbrook, said fire rescue personnel will not be getting pay raises this year.
Regardless of whether you live in a condo or single family dwelling, your fire assessment fee is the same.
If you’ve got something to say about the increase in fire fees, contact your city commissioners or be ready to speak at the public hearing scheduled for July at the above time and place.
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