Bayshore Fire District officials say that for years, they have tried to make do with less.
But with the economy improving, the district again has the funding to move back to where it was before the Great Recession. And thanks to some grant money, they will be able to do something they haven’t done in several years, return to full staff.
Fire Chief Doug Underwood said at the district’s recent budget hearing that,thanks to a sharp increase in property values this year (and for the past several years), the district will see $108,000 more in its coffers this year.
The not-to-exceed tentative millage was set at 3.5 mills, while the budget was set at $1,643,724. Both were approved by commissioners at public hearing last month.
While the dollar amounts have returned to where they were in 2007, when you consider the rate of inflation, it will take a few more years before Bayshore can really get back to where it was in terms of funding.