Fate of Brooksville Fire Department Still Unknown as Council Fails to Reach Agreement

Brooksville Fire Department Vehicle, Attack 61 [Photo courtesy of City of Brooksville]

On the evening of Monday, Aug. 18, the Brooksville City Council met at City Hall to discuss the future of the Brooksville Fire Department (BFD).

City leaders weighed whether to continue funding the municipal fire department or consolidate services with Hernando County Fire Rescue. The decision, which is still up in the air, has sparked discussions over finances, safety and the small-town feel of Brooksville.

“This isn’t just about numbers,” said one longtime resident. “First you took the Brooksville Police Department, now you’re going to take our fire department. What’s next, the courthouse?”

For over 40 minutes, residents and business owners stood at the microphone to plead with council members to keep the BFD intact. “Let’s not remove them before they have an opportunity to prove themselves,” said Jesse Ramirez.

The owner of Wild Ivy Salon said we cannot repeat history. “The City Council’s worst decision was dissolving the police department.” She continued, saying “as a business owner, I am concerned about the costs to consolidate. Will it put me out?”

A Brooksville resident and daycare business owner warned of higher costs and slower response times if the city gives up its own department.

“Keeping our fire department local ensures faster response times, stronger community relationships and a level of care that cannot be matched by a larger department,” she said. “Handing it over will raise our taxes, raise our insurance and put small businesses at risk.”

Fire Captain Lance Felton, who has served over 17 years with the department, spoke about the training and professionalism of his crew. “We put in at least two hours of fire training every shift. Our ISO rating is the same as the county’s. If it costs $1.2 million or more to consolidate, why don’t we invest that money in our department instead of handing it away?”

Others argued that Brooksville simply can’t afford the rising price tag, especially given the small population.

“From an economic standpoint, it’s much wiser for us to fold the fire department into the county to spread the cost,” said one resident. “Where can our tax dollars best be spent? Consolidation is the prudent, economic duty.”

Behind the emotional debate are stark numbers that will shape the council’s decision. Operating and maintaining the BFD will cost a projected $3 million annually. The city will need to replace an aging fire truck, broken ladder, purchase new equipment and pay for paramedic certification, bringing the total to nearly $11 million in the coming years, according to Councilwoman Betty Erhard.

Hernando County’s initial estimate is $1,478,341 in the 2025-26 fiscal year to cover Brooksville. Starting in 2026-27, the city would be absorbed into the county’s Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU), meaning property owners would pay the county’s fire fee.

Councilwoman Erhard said the math is unavoidable.

“To sustain the fire department ourselves, we’d have to raise the millage rate to 7.5,” she said. “We’re already in a deficit. The county has the equipment, the staff and the funding structure in place. We don’t.”

With the constant back and forth, Mayor Christa Tanner suggested putting the decision on the general election ballot, leaving the decision up to Hernando County residents.

What frustrates both sides is the lack of a concrete proposal from Hernando County.

“How can we make a decision without knowing anything?” asked Councilman Louis Hallal. “No contract, no figures, no guarantees. I’m not putting firefighters’ lives on the line when the county refuses to meet.”

Mayor Tanner said even to consider a consolidation agreement, a contract from Hernando County must include “assurance for every single member of the BFD and buying every single piece of equipment we have.”

By the end of the night, motions to both maintain and consolidate the BFD failed. The council instead voted to continue funding the department while seeking a long-overdue meeting with Hernando County.

Council members and Brooksville residents left frustrated, and firefighters filed out with no resolution.

“Another wasted meeting,” Councilwoman Erdhart said.

A retired firefighter, who once worked in Temple Terrace, reminded the council that once a city loses an essential service, it rarely gets it back.

“Everything else gets outsourced. Brooksville will just be a city by name,” she said.

For now, the Brooksville Fire Department remains in service with 23 employees and a community fiercely debating whether its future lies with the city it has always served, or with the county beyond.