FORT WALTON BEACH FIRE FEE

Pending final approval by the Fort Walton Beach City Council, most property owners in the city will start being charged an annual fire fee this fall. City officials say the fee would be a more reliable funding source than property taxes to pay for fire protection services and would free up general fund money to pay for other needs. The proposed fire fee for each house and other type of residential dwelling unit would be $160. The rate for commercial properties would be 17 cents per square foot. The rate for industrial properties would be 4 cents per square foot.