This week the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District unanimously approved the 2027 millage rate of 2.65 mill which is down 4% from the 2026 rate of 2.76. The final budget approved was 39,980,253. $14.9 million comes from ad valorem taxes.
We asked Fire Chief Scott Wirth how the district was able to reduce taxes. “The District saw an 8.89% increase in the taxable value of the properties protected by the fire district; part of it from the newly-constructed properties that came online prior to Jan 1st of this year (January 2026). With more total structures in service in the district, I can spread the load and charge each of the existing developed properties slightly less than the prior year. For the upcoming budget, we are using about 2.5% more revenue than the current year.”
Board of Fire Commissioners President John Bennett said, “We’re proud to lower taxes for our beach community while continuing to provide top-tier emergency services. Chief Wirth and his team took a careful, responsible approach to this budget—making sure we cover our immediate needs today while planning ahead to keep our district safe for years to come.”
Congratulations Chief Wirth and your entire team for being fiscally responsible and moving our fire district forward. Challenges are upcoming on the November ballot to eliminate our fire district into Iona Mcgregor. Neither district wants the merger which was pushed upon us by state rep Botana. Vote NO