BREAKING NEWS: City to Postpone Fire Station Construction, Move Forward with Fire Fee Increase

The City of Tallahassee has responded to the recent decisions by the Leon County Commission related to the controversial increase in the fire services fee. In a letter (provided below) to County Manager Vince Long, City Manage Reese Goad said that the city would move forward with the fire services fee increase for city residents and would postpone construction of two fire stations.

The Leon County Commission recently voted 5-2, with Nick Maddox and Commissioner Carolyn Cummings voting no, to move forward with the same rate as the previous year. The vote came after the county attorney advised that the city did not have the authority to impose the rate hike without the county’s approval.

In the letter, Goad said, “my recommendation to the City Commission will be to exercise its authority and increase the Fire Service Fees & Assessments for properties within the City limits commensurate with the fiscal impact associated with the current collective bargaining agreement and current staffing level of the Tallahassee Fire Department and to postpone the expansion of Station 15 and construction of Station 17 and all related trucks and equipment.”

Goad added that the “necessary cost for firefighter personnel expenses and reduced expenses relating to postponing Station 15 and 17 will be based on the underlying budget information also used by the rate study.”

The recommendation will be included on the City Commission’s budget item scheduled for September 3, 2025.

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City’s Letter Related to Fire Services Fee