The SEFD Board unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2023 budget of $1,552,208 on June 29, 2022, an increase of about $56,000 above last year’s budget.
Increased property valuations and new tax revenue generated from growth in the district will fund the budget increase.
The tax rate remains the same as last year at 2.72%. The increase in tax revenues will be used to fund a pay increase to company officers and front-line personnel to help offset the elevated cost of living and also support recruitment and retention in a competitive labor market, said SEFD Fire Chief Marc Meredith. The average pay bump is just under 6%.
The board also approved a planned increase to the district’s financial stability reserve fund to address future needs.