Oviedo City Council considering tax increase for homeowners to help fund fire department

OVIEDO, Fla. — Oviedo’s City Council is preparing to vote on a proposed fee for residents that would help fund their fire department.

The proposed fire district rate would vary depending on the square-footage of the resident’s home.

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An initial rate would be set at 60-percent the first year and would increase an additional 10-percent each year for the next five years.

City officials say it’s necessary as Oviedo has been growing steadily over the last 20 years, while the amount of revenue being brought in for public services like the police and fire departments has not increased.

Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek says Florida’s generous homestead laws are partly to blame.

“About two out of three properties are taxed,” Sladek explained. “So a third of the properties then do not pay tax at all, and of those that do, about two-thirds of those are homesteaded.”

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Homestead taxes are capped at three percent, Sladek says. To help, the city council has proposed creating a fire district for city residents.

If approved, each 2,125 square feet of space will be charged $212.

“It is a percentage, so if you have a smaller home, you don’t just get charged the full amount,” Sladek explained. “It’s more equitable in that way.”

Erin Braun is an Oviedo resident who says it’ll be worth it.

“I don’t mind it,” Braun said. “A little bit extra money to make sure that we’re safe…I’m okay with it.”

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A public hearing is scheduled for June 20th where the council will hold a final reading of the proposal  before voting on it.

If it passes, residents can expect to see that fee in their November tax bill.

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