ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On March 10, voters in the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District (WMFR) rejected the fire district’s request to levy a new millage rate-based property tax on properties located in the fire district that includes Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Cortez and portions of unincorporated Manatee County.
According to the official results posted at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website, 1,864 voters (55.99%) opposed the proposed property tax and 1,465 voters (44.01%) supported it.
The WMFR fire district has 19,020 eligible voters and 3,335 votes were cast in the special election, resulting in a 17.53% voter turnout.
The special election occurred at a time when state legislators and Gov. Ron DeSantis have expressed support for eliminating or significantly reducing non-school district-related property taxes.
The additional tax sought by WMFR appeared on the ballot as this: “Shall the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District be authorized to levy and collect an annual ad valorem tax on real property in an amount not to exceed 1 mill to provide additional operational revenue to fund the district’s fire control and rescue services, infrastructure and facilities, including emergency medical services?”
According to the ad valorem tax calculator posted at the WMFR website, the owner of a home with an assessed taxable value of $548,958 would have paid an additional $274 tax if the annual millage rate was set by the board of commissioners at .5 mills. The WMFR tax would have been $548 on that same home if the annual millage rate was set at the full 1 mill.
WMFR RESPONSE
WMFR issued a press release soon after the March 10 election results were posted.
“Voters in the West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR) did not approve the district’s referendum during today’s special election. District officials thank residents for participating in the election and emphasize their continued commitment to serving the community,” the press release said.
In the press release, WMFR Fire Chief Ben Rigney stated, “We respect the decision of our voters and appreciate everyone who took the time to participate in this important conversation about our community’s future. Regardless of the outcome, our mission remains the same: to provide professional services essential to the safety and well-being of the community.”
The press release says, “West Manatee Fire Rescue will continue evaluating how best to meet the district’s evolving fire protection and emergency service needs while maintaining its commitment to providing the highest quality service to the community.
“WMFR also extends its appreciation to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, poll workers, and residents who participated in the election,” the press release says.
DISTRICT FUNDING
WMFR operations are currently funded primarily by the annual square footage-based assessment WMFR levies on properties within the district. Due to the election results, WMFR will remain as one of two fire districts in Manatee County that does not receive additional millage rate-based property tax funding.
The WMFR 2025-26 fiscal year budget includes $16.6 million for anticipated expenditures that include salaries and personnel expenses, capital outlay expenses and operating expenditures.
Operating with a balanced budget, WMFR’s projected 2025-26 revenues also total $16.6 and those revenues include $12.6 million in annual assessment fee revenues and the anticipated use of $3.2 million of the district’s $6.6 million in total reserve funds.
SPECIAL ELECTION COSTS
After the election results were known, some Facebook users questioned why WMFR requested a special election to be conducted at the expense of the fire district and the fire district’s taxpayers.
According to Assistant Supervisor of Elections Sharon Stief, WMFR’s special election was originally estimated to cost approximately $40,000.
“We are still receiving items that must be processed, so the final total has not yet been determined,” Stief recently said. “However, we do anticipate that the final cost will be below the $40,000 estimate to be paid by WMFR.”
Stief said there would have been no cost to WMFR to place the district’s tax referendum question on the general election ballot in November.
WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said he anticipates the final cost of the special election to be closer to $35,000, but he acknowledged that’s still a significant expenditure of the taxpayers’ dollars.
Kwiatkowski said the district’s board of commissioners selected the March 10 special election after considering several factors.
“At the time the decision was made, there was uncertainty regarding whether, and if so how, property tax-related measures might appear on the November ballot,” he said. “Additionally, recommendations from the district’s post-hurricane resiliency committee identified needs the board felt should be addressed as soon as practicable. Based on those considerations, the board chose to move forward with a March special election so voters could consider the question sooner rather than later.”
