The Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners voted to tentatively raise the fire assessment on commercial buildings smaller than 10,000 from 2.5 cents per square foot to 5 cents per square foot.
Residential buildings will remain the same.
Commissioner Tommy Langford was concerned about commercial buildings paying for more than their share of calls.
“You’re not paying for the response,” Fire Chief James Campbell said. “You’re paying for the availability.
This vote was only for the trim notice, not for the final budget. Once the rate is set for trim, it can only be lowered or kept the same, not raised.