Registered voters in the Holley-Navarre Fire District will vote on whether to increase fees for fire and rescue services.
If it passes, fees will increase by 42% for residential properties and 11.98% for nonresidential properties. The current rate is $162.23 per year for homes up to 2,300 square feet. The proposed rate raises that to $231.15 for the same size home. That averages to $5.74 extra per month.
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Funds from the increase will go toward increased staffing, advanced life support at all stations, equipment, a new fire station on Whispering Pines Boulevard, and pay raises for staff currently making minimum wage, which is $15.33. Maybe add the word ‘currently’ before $15.33
In 2025, Holley-Navarre firefighters responded to a record 4,348 calls. As of Aug. 5, the district has had 2,449 calls.
The referendum catches the district up, said Fire Chief Kevin Lewis in a Navarre Press article. The district, which stretches 53 square miles, has a current budget of $4 million. If the referendum passes, the budget would rise to $6 million.
Low wages and a limited budget affect staffing. Some nearby fire districts pay nearly $3 more an hour. Station 44 in Holley operates with only two firefighters per shift, Lewis said. The industry standard for adequate staffing is four firefighters per shift, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
The cost of operations has also increased. In a Facebook post, the district shared a graphic showing the increase to outfit one firefighter. In 2020, the cost was $6,750. In 2026 that cost is over $22,000.
Ballot language for the referendum reads:
Authorization to increase non-ad valorem assessment rates for fire and rescue services
To avoid impacts to fire and rescue services, shall Holley-Navarre Fire District be authorized to levy the following assessment rates: Residential building (up to 2,300 square feet):$231.50 plus $0.1005 per square foot over 2,300; Nonresidential building (up to 2,300 square feet): $603.98 pluse $0.2626 per square foot over 2,300 square foot; Vacant lot: $140.456; Undeveloped acreage: $140.456 plus $46.8186 per acre over 3 acres; with Future increases pursuant to chapter 191 Florida Statutes?
If approved, the new rates would go into effect in October.
