TO: Mayor and Commission AGENDA DATE: 7/21/2025
FROM: City Manager AGENDA ITEM: 10 - E
SUBJECT:
Title
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-87 award Consulting Services Agreement with Alfred Benesch & Company for the Fire Rescue Assessment Study.
Body
LOCATION:
Citywide
COST:
$47,315
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
Fire
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
Finance
POTENTIAL MOTION:
Recommendation
“I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-87.”
END
BACKGROUND:
Background
The City of Deltona is taking essential steps to ensure the continuation of high-quality fire services for the community by looking into a Fire Assessment Fee Study. The Fire Assessment Fee funds fire protection services and addresses public safety needs while providing relief to the general fund and allowing City Commission and staff to address other needs.
Fire Services Assessments are not imposed on government property or upon buildings on parcels of Institutional property whose use is wholly exempt from ad valorem taxation under Florida law.
Staff working with Benesh will look at various funding options to support enhancing the level of service with the fire service assessment study for both operating and capital options. The Study will involve careful planning to ensure that costs are shared fairly among all properties in the City. The City will follow all necessary statutory and legal steps, including providing public notice, sending an individually mailed notice explaining their parcel’s assessment to all property owners, holding a public hearing, and seeking all necessary Commission approvals. City Commission will be provided in late 2025 with the preliminary study findings.
Staff discussed this study with the City Commission on Saturday, May 3 and received a consensus to move forward. City Commission then provided the necessary funding as part of Resolution No. 2025-52 Mid-Year Budget Amendment.
The City Commission approved Resolution No. 2025-29, the Purchasing Policy in March 2025. The City Manager per the Purchasing Policy was granted authority to approve as it is budgeted goods and services and is an exempt item from solicitation due to this study being a Financial Service. The City Commission by consensus on June 23, 2025, directed that all items $25,000 or greater be brought back before the City Commission for approval.
End