Municipal Fire Protection Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Program and Rate Study

The City of Lakeland is seeking a qualified firm to provide professional consulting services to assist in evaluating available assessment methodologies and developing an equitable, legally supportable, and administratively feasible fire protection assessment program and rate structure. The selected firm will serve as the City's principal advisor throughout the project, including feasibility analysis, policy development, adoption, implementation, and post-adoption support of the assessment program. The scope of work includes financial analysis, legal support, assessment methodology development, GIS and parcel analysis, public communication, ordinance development, implementation assistance, and post-adoption support. The City invites qualified firms with demonstrated expertise in the development and implementation of legally defensible municipal fire assessments to submit proposals, qualifications, and fee schedules. • Evaluating the feasibility of a fire protection assessment • Identifying legally assessable costs • Developing an equitable assessment methodology • Providing the City Commission with policy alternatives • Assisting in implementation if authorized • Transferring sufficient knowledge to enable the City to administer the program in future years