The city of Lakeland is deciding whether to impose a fire assessment fee to help fund the Lakeland Fire Department.
The department is funded through the general fund, which also plays for policing, parks and recreation, public works and community development.
City officials note that the public safety budget for both fire and police is $56 million and the city collects only $21.9 million in property taxes. The City Commission is seeking another revenue stream to pay for fire operations.
According to the city, 30 percent of Florida municipalities have a fire assessment fee in place. Polk County, Haines City and Bartow have implemented fire assessment fees.