Sanibel Fire and Rescue District approves tentative millage rate
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District approved their tentative millage rate of 1.3016 mills, which is a zero percent increase in ad valorem taxes.
The commissioners also approved the tentative budget for fiscal year 2027, which is $30,853,878. The budget includes personnel services at $6,255,396, operating expenditures of $1,561,605, and capital outlay at $8,470,000.
The district also has a slew of reserves — fund balance reserves designated for operations set at $8,646,877, disaster reserve balance assigned at $2,000,000, apparatus reserve fund assigned at $300,000, operating reserve fund assigned at $3,000,000, fire equipment reserve fund assigned at $105,00, EMS equipment reserve fund assigned at $65,000 and sick/vacation assigned at $450,000.
Fire Commissioner Bruce Cochrane said after looking at the numbers and where they sit for the reserves, he thinks they are in good shape financially.
“I am leaning very heavily towards doing the rollback,” he said during their discussion. “I think that we will still reach our financial goals as far as what we’re holding onto for our reserves and leave us in a good cash position and allow us to do our job without any financial sacrifice.”
Fire Commissioner Richard McCurry said he agreed. He said after talking with the chief, “I think we’ll get to the next year just fine like this.”
Fire Commissioner Jerry Muench was excused from the meeting.
The final budget hearing will be held at 5:01 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District temporary administrative office, 1456 Periwinkle Way, Suite A.