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STARKE, Fla. (WCJB) - Bradford County Commissioners voted to move forward with the first reading of a new proposed emergency fire services fee.

At a meeting Tuesday morning, commissioners discussed what to do about the deficit of about $5 million they have missing from their budget.

County leaders said the county budget is nearly $9 million. Of that budget, a third is collected in revenue from EMS services. County leaders said they cannot raise the ad velorem tax and the funds must come from a dedicated revenue source.

County leaders asked a consultant on how to fund the shortfall and they said they were advised if it were to be funded 100% the fire fee would be about $329 for residential properties only. How much a business would have to pay to protect its land would be calculated differently, specifically by a square footage amount, costing between 17 and 19 cents per square foot.

The second reading will be at an upcoming meeting.

Commissioners say they will hold a vote on how much the fire fee will cost in late September before adopting any resolutions.

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