Fire Service Area Rating Review

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As planning is underway for the City of Hamilton’s 2023 Operating Budget, the City is reviewing options to better align the corresponding tax area rate with the way fire protection and rescue services are being delivered in the city.

Background:

The Hamilton Fire Department delivers fire protection and rescue services throughout the city using three different service delivery models:

  • full-time resources only
  • volunteer resources (the majority if not all resources are volunteer, dependent on response type, time of day/day of the week, etc.)
  • composite resources (a combination of both full-time and volunteer resources)

However, the City’s current area rate taxation policy is based on two models for the delivery of fire services: an urban model for areas serviced by full-time resources and a rural model for areas serviced by volunteer resources.

Under the current taxation policy, areas mainly serviced by a composite response are included in the urban model (if the identified geographic areas fall within the urban areas in the City’s official plan) or are included in the rural model (if the identified geographic areas fall within the rural areas in the City’s official plan).

The City is currently reviewing options to better align the area rating methodology with the way fire protection and rescue services are being delivered and the level of service being received, especially in the areas receiving composite service.

All feedback collected will be considered as part of the 2023 Operating Budget deliberations and will be shared with City Council.

We would like to hear from you!

The City would like hear your opinion on the proposed changes to the area rating of the fire service.


As planning is underway for the City of Hamilton’s 2023 Operating Budget, the City is reviewing options to better align the corresponding tax area rate with the way fire protection and rescue services are being delivered in the city.

Background:

The Hamilton Fire Department delivers fire protection and rescue services throughout the city using three different service delivery models:

  • full-time resources only
  • volunteer resources (the majority if not all resources are volunteer, dependent on response type, time of day/day of the week, etc.)
  • composite resources (a combination of both full-time and volunteer resources)

However, the City’s current area rate taxation policy is based on two models for the delivery of fire services: an urban model for areas serviced by full-time resources and a rural model for areas serviced by volunteer resources.

Under the current taxation policy, areas mainly serviced by a composite response are included in the urban model (if the identified geographic areas fall within the urban areas in the City’s official plan) or are included in the rural model (if the identified geographic areas fall within the rural areas in the City’s official plan).

The City is currently reviewing options to better align the area rating methodology with the way fire protection and rescue services are being delivered and the level of service being received, especially in the areas receiving composite service.

All feedback collected will be considered as part of the 2023 Operating Budget deliberations and will be shared with City Council.

We would like to hear from you!

The City would like hear your opinion on the proposed changes to the area rating of the fire service.


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    We want to hear from you!

    Tell us what you think about the proposed changes to the area rating taxation method for fire service.

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Page last updated: 07 Nov 2022, 11:23 AM