HNFD has received A LOT of calls regarding the non-ad valorem fire assessments recently mailed to property owners. We wanted to answer a few of the questions we’re hearing most often:
1. “My square footage is wrong.”
Realtors typically advertise the heated/cooled square footage of a home. Fire assessments are based on total square footage — anything under a roof, because anything under a roof can burn.
You can verify your property’s total square footage through the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser’s Office at srcpa.gov.
2. “My home is small. Why does my assessment say 2,300 sq. ft.?”
Homes under 2,300 sq. ft. are assessed at the minimum rate. Your notice will simply state 2,300 sq ft, even if your home is smaller.
3. “Why am I paying a fire assessment on vacant land?”
Vacant land still requires fire protection. HNFD responds to brush fires regularly, including two in the past month that threatened nearby homes. These incidents require firefighters, apparatus, equipment, fuel, and other department resources.
4. “There’s a maximum rate listed. Does that mean HNFD plans to raise the assessment to that amount next year?”
No. HNFD has no intention of automatically increasing the assessment to the maximum rate. A maximum rate must be established and disclosed as part of the statutory process. Doing so also prevents the District from having to repeat the costly mailed-notice process every year simply to maintain flexibility below that maximum.
5. “I’m 100% disabled and exempt from other property taxes. Why am I not exempt from the fire assessment?”
These are non-ad valorem assessments based on fire protection need, not property taxes based on home value. Under Florida Statute Chapter 191, these assessments cannot simply be exempted or waived unless another revenue source is available to make up the difference. HNFD has confirmed this with both our District attorney and an attorney specializing in Florida special districts.
We hope this helps clear up some of the most common questions!
You are always welcome to call HNFD if you have additional questions. We simply ask for patience and respect for our staff as we work through the high volume of calls we are receiving.
Supporting Emergency Services for a Growing Community
The Holley-Navarre Fire District proudly serves approximately 47,000 residents, businesses, and visitors across our growing community.
As Holley-Navarre continues to grow, emergency call volume, operational demands, and emergency response needs continue to increase. Additional staffing, equipment, and resources are needed to maintain safe, reliable, and effective emergency services for our community.
AUGUST 18 PRIMARY ELECTION
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Public Safety Referendum Information
This page is designed to provide factual information regarding the upcoming public safety referendum and the operational needs facing the district.
WHY THIS REFERENDUM MATTERS
Emergency response demand continues to increase each year throughout the district. In 2025, HNFD responded to:
4,348 emergency calls
These emergencies include:
As our community grows, emergency service demands grow with it.
STAFFING LEVELS BELOW AVERAGE
HNFD staffing levels currently remain below both regional and national firefighter averages.
Firefighters Per 1,000 Residents
Lower staffing levels can impact:
Rising Costs of Emergency Response
Like many fire departments across the country, Holley-Navarre Fire District continues to face rising costs associated with emergency response services.
Modern fire engines that once cost approximately $500,000–$700,000 can now exceed $1 million dollars, while ladder trucks may cost $2 million or more. In addition to purchasing different apparatus’s, ongoing expenses for each one also include:
✔ Fuel and diesel costs ✔Medical and emergency equipment
✔Vehicle maintenance and repairs ✔Annual safety testing and inspections
✔Replacement parts and tires
Emergency vehicles operate around the clock and require constant maintenance to remain safe, reliable, and ready to respond when our community calls for help.
At the same time, emergency call volume and community growth continue to increase across the district. Maintaining dependable equipment and preparing for future needs is critical to protecting lives, homes, and businesses throughout Holley-Navarre.
RESPONSIBLE USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS
HNFD continues to operate efficiently compared to surrounding agencies.
HNFD Cost Per Emergency Call $963.13
Comparable agencies:
Despite lower staffing and fewer resources, HNFD maintains one of the lowest operational costs per call in the region.
COMMUNITY GROWTH CONTINUES
Holley-Navarre continues to experience residential and commercial growth throughout the district.
As new neighborhoods, businesses, and developments continue expanding farther from existing stations, additional operational support becomes increasingly important to maintain emergency response coverage across the community.
WHY RESPONSE TIMES MATTER
Every second matters during a fire, cardiac arrest, or medical emergency.
DID YOU KNOW?
🔥 Fires can double in size every 30–60 seconds.
🧠 Brain damage can begin within 4–6 minutes without oxygen.
❤️Survival rates decrease with every minute emergency care is delayed.
🚒Additional staffing and resources help improve response coverage across the district — especially in rapidly growing areas farther from existing stations.
EVERY SECOND COUNTS
When emergencies happen, response time matters.
Additional resources help improve:
WHAT A YES VOTE SUPPORTS
A YES vote would help provide:
✅Increased firefighter staffing
✅ Improved emergency response coverage
✅ Additional emergency equipment and apparatus
✅ Support for growing neighborhoods
✅ Enhanced firefighter safety
✅ Long-term sustainability of emergency services
✅ Improved readiness for major emergencies and disasters
INVESTING IN COMMUNITY SAFETY
This referendum is about maintaining reliable emergency services and preparing for the future needs of the Holley-Navarre community.
Learn the facts. Stay informed. Support community safety.