VIDEO: Brevard County property owners could soon face a significant increase in their fire assessment fees as county leaders grapple with a critical firefighter shortage and ongoing pay disputes. At a packed commission meeting on Tuesday, officials voted unanimously to move forward with a plan that could raise the fire assessment by as much as 37% for both residential and commercial properties, with a final decision set for May 20. Brevard County Fire Rescue is currently operating with 90 vacant positions, and union leaders say low pay is driving many firefighters to leave for better opportunities elsewhere. Starting pay for Brevard County firefighters can be as low as $15 per hour, and more than 100 firefighters have left the department since contract negotiations stalled over a year ago.
