{"id":433675,"date":"2026-10-21T04:22:06","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T04:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/433675\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T04:22:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T04:22:06","slug":"leon-county-commissioners-weigh-county-run-fire-department-while-working-to-renegotiate-with-tallahassee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/433675\/","title":{"rendered":"Leon County commissioners weigh county-run fire department while working to renegotiate with Tallahassee"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County commissioners met Tuesday to discuss next steps for fire rescue services and unanimously agreed to take a dual-track approach<\/a> moving forward.<\/p>\n

The plan includes working to renegotiate the current agreement with the City of Tallahassee while also beginning to plan for a county-run fire department.<\/p>\n

During a workshop on fire rescue services, commissioners heard several presentations, including a report from Benesch<\/a>, a firm hired to review the billing, collections, and records of the city and county for fire services.<\/p>\n

Leon County Attorney Chasity O\u2019Steen said the report found a revenue shortfall ranging from approximately $15 million to $21.2 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, what they found was there\u2019s a range from approximately $15 million to $21.2 million for fiscal years 24 and 25, which, had that been collected, would have covered that $11.5 million budget increase that the city requested in 2025,\u201d O\u2019Steen said.<\/p>\n

The second report came from Fitch and Associates, which has been working on its review for the last 10 months.<\/p>\n

The firm found that residents are well served right now, the deployment is sized correctly, and the six volunteer fire departments are essential.<\/p>\n

However, the firm said the main issue is the interlocal agreement between the city and county, but it can be fixed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe interlocal agreement, it\u2019s an old agreement; it was originated in 2009 its been amended six times and as a result of that it\u2019s difficult to interpret, manage by, perhaps even enforce. But all those things that are missing from the interlocal agreement, that are issues that we\u2019ve identified, are all curable things,\u201d said Dr. Stephan Knight, a partner with Fitch and Associates.<\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

Fitch and Associates recommended a dual-track approach, and commissioners agreed.<\/p>\n

With a new city commission taking office next month, county leaders said they see an opportunity to renegotiate the agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe motion on the floor positions us to do a deal with a new city commission that I know wants to make amends to the county; I\u2019ve talked to all of them. Two, for whatever reason, if there\u2019s not a deal, it positions the county to have a new fire department,\u201d said Christian Caban, chairman of the Leon County Commission.<\/p>\n

Leon County Attorney Chastity O\u2019Steen said she has not received any feedback from the city or heard from city leaders about the Benesch report\u2019s findings, which were sent to the city before Tuesday\u2019s workshop.<\/p>\n

WCTV also reached out to the city for comment on Monday but had not heard back at the time of reporting.<\/p>\n

This will come back before the Leon County Commission in November as a formal agenda item.<\/p>\n

To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n

Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n