We Need to Change the Way We Do Emergency Service in Collier County
If you were to receive a 16% revenue increase from the year 2023 to the year 2024, you would probably feel that is a healthy increase to continue properly investing in your business and maintaining growth in a positive manner. That increase is on top of a 19% increase the prior year.
That consideration isn’t true for the Greater Naples Fire and Rescue District as they seek to advance a potential 33% increase to your taxes. they want to increase your tax rate from 1.5 Mil to 2.0 Mil. That is on top of the huge percentage of increases taxpayers have been paying due to huge increases in property values.
We have a Fire District that is now a $50 million operation and running it like they did 2016 when it was a $20 million operation.
The Greater Naples Fire District provides great service; however, it is critical for us to move in a different direction. 85% of service calls are for medical services, and yet, we respond as if we are going to a fire or rescue operation with personnel and equipment.
It is time to revisit how we deliver emergency services in Collier County.
| Year | Taxable Value | Ad Valorem Taxes Levied | Total Ad Valorem Taxes Collected* | Impact Fees Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $20,785,823,346 | $31,178,774 | $30,961,817 | $1,694,123 |
| 2021 | $22,499,656,469 | $33,749,522 | $33,165,790 | $2,745,576 |
| 2022 | $24,299,921,927 | $36,449,920 | $36,011,427 | $2,027,792 |
| 2023 | $28,957,700,283 | $43,436,586 | $42,269,322 | $1,740,963 |
| 2024 | $33,650,543,823 | $50,475,844 | N/A | N/A |
Thank you!