How MCFR is Funded

Marion County Fire Rescue relies on several funding sources to pay for its exceptional services including the following:

• Ad valorem taxes based on property values
• Non-ad valorem fire assessments based on benefit of service
• Impact fees on new development
• Other fees for services such as ambulance transport and stand-by services, building inspections, hazardous materials spills and illegal burns

Non-Ad Valorem Taxes

A non-ad valorem assessment is a special assessment or service charge which is not based on the value of the property. Non-ad valorem assessments are assessed to provide certain benefits to your property including services such as landscaping, security, lighting, and trash disposal. When purchasing a property with a non-ad valorem assessment, the sales price of the property typically does not include the financial obligation of the non-ad valorem assessment. The non-ad valorem fire assessment is based on benefit of service instead of property value and distributes costs evenly among citizens countywide. That means everyone pays regardless of the size or value of their home. The fire assessment funds MCFR's firefighting budget and pays firefighter salaries, benefits, training and education as well as other items such as fire engines, nozzles, hoses, bunker gear, ladders, electricity and fire station expenses. The residential rate is currently $165.99 and has remained the same for the past several years.

Impact Fees

Impact fees are a one-time tax imposed on all new residential and commercial construction by local governments to defray the cost of growth's impact on vital services such as schools, parks, roads, and other infrastructure needs, including fire rescue resources and the 911 call load. Commissioners earmark money generated from impact fees solely for capital improvement projects. This means, MCFR can only spend impact fee dollars on building new fire stations and purchasing additional equipment such as fire rescue vehicles.