Public Safety Fee FAQs

Florence Public Safety Fee
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the City implementing a Public Safety Fee?

The Public Safety Fee was approved to ensure the City can continue providing essential services like police, 911 dispatch, corrections and municipal court. These services are critical to public safety and currently cost more to provide than the City receives in property tax revenue.

How much will the fee cost residents and businesses?

The fee will be phased in gradually to reduce immediate impact. It will start at $5 per month on July 1, 2025, increase to $15 per month on January 1, 2026, and reach $18 per month on July 1, 2026. The fee will appear on monthly City Services Bills. The City did not increase utility rates to water, wastewater, and stormwater during at July 1st to help balance overall monthly costs for customers in year one of the Public Safety Fee implementation.

Who will be required to pay the fee?

All residential and commercial utility customers within the City of Florence will pay the Public Safety Fee. It applies to each residential dwelling unit and each commercial development and will be included as a line item on City Services Bills.

How will the money from the fee be used?

Revenue from the Public Safety Fee will go directly towards funding the City’s public safety services, including the Florence Police Department, jail operations, municipal court, and the City’s share of 911 dispatch services. These services make up the largest portion of the City’s General Fund budget and the fee will ensure the community continues to receive the level of service residents expect and depend on every day.

Why is the fee being implemented now?

The City has reached a point where the cost of providing public safety services exceeds what can be covered by existing revenues. Public safety services are paid for by the City of Florence out of property taxes. Property tax increases are capped at 3% per year by state law, but public safety costs have grown well beyond that. After years of cost-saving measures and using one-time federal funds, the City Council unanimously approved this fee to prevent cuts to essential services.

Has the City done anything to cut costs before implementing the fee?

Yes. Over the past decade, the City has worked to control costs by updating planning fees, creating new revenue sources, maintaining staff levels, and reorganizing City Hall operations for greater efficiency. The City of Florence also does not cover the employee share of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), unlike most other cities. Fire and library services were transitioned out of the General Fund, and the City has consistently pursued grants, partnerships and donations to reduce the cost burden on general fund dollars. For the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, the City also reduced staffing in Administrative Services by two positions in the General Fund and reallocated that work to existing staff.

Are other cities facing similar financial challenges?

Yes. Cities across Oregon are dealing with the same structural funding limitations caused by statewide property tax caps. Many have already adopted additional fees or local taxes to maintain service levels. Florence’s permanent tax rate is one of the lowest in the state, making local solutions like this fee necessary.

Could the City use other funding sources instead of adding a new fee?

The City explored other funding options before proposing the Public Safety Fee. However, most other revenue sources are either restricted to specific uses or already fully allocated. Property tax revenue, which funds public safety, is capped by state law and hasn’t kept pace with rising costs. After years of cost-saving measures and using one-time general funds, the City determined that a dedicated fee is the most sustainable way to maintain essential public safety services without cutting other community programs. The City has already reduced spending across departments and cannot sustainably fund public safety without this new revenue.

Why wasn’t cutting services a viable solution?

The City has already made cuts, including eliminating two General Fund positions and reducing discretionary spending across departments. Further cuts would directly impact essential services, including public safety, parks, and community programs. The Public Safety Fee provides a more sustainable way to maintain core public safety service levels.

Does the City partner with mental health services to support public safety?

In some situations, the best first response to a public safety concern involving a person in a mental health crisis is not a police response. The City partners with Western Lane Crisis Response to provide a mobile crisis response service that helps support individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. They are available 24/7 and are dispatched through 9-1-1, coordinating with police services as needed. This approach helps reduce the burden on law enforcement and ensures people receive the appropriate care when and where they need it.

Where can I find more information about the Public Safety Fee?

More information about the fee and how it will be used can be found on the City’s website at www.ci.florence.or.us/police/public-safety-fee.