Fire Services Workshop - October 20, 2026

Leon County Board of County Commissioners fire services workshop, October 20, 2026: Staff presented findings from Fitch and Associates’ fire-service delivery evaluation and Benesch’s review of billing, collection, and funding. The review identified potential financial discrepancies, including an estimated $15 million–$21.2 million in revenue shortfalls for FY2024–25, about $3.8 million associated with rates that differed from the 2023 rate study, approximately $5.4 million in negative billing entries, and a roughly $6 million gap between amounts billed and collected. Staff also noted that the city had issued $10 million more in bond debt for Fire Station 17 than previously contemplated, with an estimated $6.7 million in interest over 20 years. The consultants found that the current city-provided service model performs effectively, but recommended addressing financial transparency, auditing, budgeting, performance standards, and other deficiencies in the interlocal agreement.

Fitch recommended pursuing two paths concurrently: negotiating a new long-term agreement with the city and preparing an implementation plan for a county fire-service model, with a decision point in March 2027 ahead of the current agreement’s September 2028 expiration. Estimated county-model startup costs discussed included $30.1 million for a six-station model, $47.3 million for seven stations, and $94.9 million for ten stations; automatic aid was identified as important to maintaining service and insurance ratings. The board unanimously approved the motion to accept the reports and authorize the dual-track process, and, as amended, directed the county attorney to reengage Benesch to examine the period allowed by the statute of limitations and identify potential county damages related to the city’s management of the fire-services fund. No new solicitation or contract award was approved at the workshop.