Ad Valorem Calculator

WMFR Ad Valorem Information.pdf

What West Manatee Fire & Rescue District Offers Our Community

  • Advanced Life Support (ALS)
    Paramedic-staffed units delivering life-saving care, including cardiac monitoring, advanced airway management, and emergency medical interventions before hospital arrival.
  • Fire Suppression & Emergency Response
    Professional firefighters trained to respond to structure fires, vehicle fires, alarms, and all-hazards emergencies across our district.
  • Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction
    A proactive Prevention Bureau focused on inspections, public education, and outreach to reduce emergencies before they happen.
  • Specialized Rescue Capabilities
    • Light Technical Rescue (rope, confined space, trench, extrication, collapse)
    • High-water and flood rescue
    • Rescue Swimmers for marine and swift-water emergencies
    • Advanced boat operations for coastal and inland water rescues/Marine Emergency Rescue Team (MERT)
  • Hurricane & Disaster Readiness
    Personnel, equipment, and training are designed to protect lives and property during severe weather and large-scale emergencies.
  • Local Governance & Accountability
    An independent special fire district governed by five elected commissioners, with all funding staying local to support local services.

Challenges Facing Our Fire District

  • Expanding State and Federal Mandates
    State and federal laws have expanded requirements related to firefighter cancer benefits, PFAS-free protective gear, mental health programs, staffing considerations, and work-hour standards. These requirements are implemented through existing funding sources.
  • Aging Facilities & Equipment
    Several facilities were constructed decades ago, and some stations are located in areas subject to environmental or infrastructure constraints. The cost of maintaining and replacing fire apparatus and equipment has increased over time.
  • Staffing & Retention Pressures
    National and state safety standards establish recommended staffing levels for fire operations. Current staffing levels are based on existing budgetary allocations.
  • Limited Training Infrastructure
    The district utilizes available training facilities to meet applicable NFPA standards. Some training activities require off-site or shared facilities.
  • Funding Disparity Compared to Similar Districts
    West Manatee Fire & Rescue District is funded primarily through non-ad valorem assessments. Some neighboring fire districts utilize a combination of funding mechanisms, including ad valorem taxation.
  • Risk of Slower Response Times if Unaddressed
    Fire protection services are influenced by staffing levels, apparatus availability, and funding. Changes to any of these factors may affect operational capacity over time.
Disclaimer

This tool estimates the Proposed Ad Valorem Assessment Cap using the parcel’s Taxable Value from Tax Year 2025. Results are for informational purposes only and are not an official tax bill, assessment, or legal advice. Actual amounts may differ due to exemptions, corrections, or changes to values and rates. WMFR makes no warranties as to accuracy or completeness and assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance on these results. For official records, consult the Manatee County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector.

Millage is a tax rate defined as the dollars assessed for each $1,000 of value. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. The District’s ad valorem authorization request limits the amount of millage the District may levy against property owners to no more than 1 mill. The impact of the proposed millage rate to a property owner can be calculated using the following mathematical equation: Taxable value ÷ 1,000 × millage rate = Tax Owed.

For any questions regarding your Proposed Ad Valorem Assessment, please contact Admin@wmfr.org.