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

City of Lakeland - City Manager's Office has issued request for proposal, solicitation 2026-RFP-100.

The City of Lakeland is evaluating alternative long-term funding strategies for the provision of municipal fire protection services, including the possible implementation of a non-ad valorem fire protection assessment beginning with its FY 2028 budget. The City's objective is not simply to prepare an assessment rate study, but to develop a comprehensive funding strategy that identifies the legally assessable costs of fire protection services, recommends equitable methods of cost apportionment, evaluates alternative funding scenarios, and provides the City Commission with sufficient technical and policy information to determine whether implementation of a fire protection assessment is in the City's best interest. The City invites qualified firms with demonstrated expertise in the development and implementation of legally defensible municipal fire assessments utilizing the Uniform Method of Collection provided in Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes to submit proposals, qualifications and fee schedules to be considered for a one (1) year contract with two (2) one-year renewal options. The selected firm (“Consultant”) 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 selected consultant will provide all professional consulting services necessary for the City to evaluate, establish, and implement a municipal fire protection assessment program. Services are expected to include financial analysis, legal support, assessment methodology development, GIS and parcel analysis, public communication, ordinance development, implementation assistance, and post-adoption support. The objectives of this engagement include: 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.

The City of Lakeland is evaluating the feasibility of implementing a non-ad valorem assessment to fund eligible costs associated with the provision of municipal fire protection services. The City seeks 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.

Responses are due September 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT.

Questions must be submitted by September 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT.

Commodity categories: Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services; Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services; Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services; Other Management Consulting Services; Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services; Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.

Contact: Cristy Newton, Purchasing Manager (cristy.newton@lakelandgov.net, (863) 834-6788).

8 documents are attached to the notice: Indemnification 2026 Contractor; Indemnification 2026 Consultant; Indemnification 2026 Vendor; Indemnification 2026 Contractor - FDOT; Indemnification 2026 Consultant - FDOT; PSM - Contractor Audit Form; Human Trafficking Affidavit; Sample Standard Contract Form.

The full solicitation document, addenda and the question-and-answer thread are on the agency's OpenGov portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/lakelandgov/projects/293228. Responses are submitted electronically there, and a free vendor account is required before you can upload one.