Mexico Beach Fire Rescue currently operates with only one full-time employee. Most of the firefighters are volunteers. The city council is looking to hire additional manpower, but that doesn't come cheap. The city is looking into starting a fire assessment tax to keep the city's ISO rating in good standing. This will keep property insurance lower for businesses and residents. It will also give the city a full-time fire department to respond to emergencies. Monday, city leaders met with locals to talk about the potential assessment fee. Commercial properties would have to pay 50 cents per square foot.