MOUNT DORA, Fla. — For the first time, people who live in Mount Dora might have to pay extra fees to the fire department.
Officials said they need the money to improve fire facilities and to pay for new equipment. Much of their funding comes from property taxes, and it's just not enough, they said.
Mount Dora city leaders said the fire department is in desperate need of more money.
"We've got certain capital needs in the fire department, such as a new fire truck, we've got some improvements to a fire station, we have requirements for certain bunker gear, air packs, things that are necessary to operating a fire department," said City Manager Michael Quinn.
The city is considering asking home and businesses owners to pay fire assessment fees.
If the fire assessment fees go into effect, residents could see $50-a-year increase on their tax bills.
Officials said much of the fire funding come from property taxes, but they say there isn't enough money coming in to take care of all of the fire department's needs.
Channel 9's Myrt Price asked residents what they thought about the proposal.
"Our fire and police risk their lives every day, to save other people," said resident Mike Hildebrand. "Fifty dollars is nothing."
Others were not happy at the thought of shelling out more money.
"I'm totally against any tax-raising at all -- we're overtaxed anyways," said resident Allen Mccombs.
But officials said that without the fees, they would have to look at other ways to get the money.
"Either other services would have to suffer in the general fund, because we're having to use property taxes, or we would have to raise property taxes," Quinn said.
Quinn said it's still a proposal and they will continue to study it and hold public hearings to give residents a chance to learn more about the plan.
WFTV
