OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County homeowners will pay higher fees for garbage collection, EMS and Fire Rescue services under rates approved at the Aug. 20 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission. Public hearings on these fees attracted no speakers.

EMS tax: $191.33 per residence

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assessment for the 2026/2027 fiscal year will be $191.33 per residential dwelling unit. This is a 6.8% increase over the current fiscal year, charging an additional $12.22 per residence.

Hotels, motels and RV parks will be assessed $12.71 per room/space.

The estimated Emergency Medical Service Cost for the Fiscal Year commencing Oct. 1, 2026, is $4,007,167.

Fire tax: $151.29 per residence

The 2026/2027 Fire Rescue Assessment (commonly called the Fire Tax) will be $151.49 per residential dwelling unit. Vacant land will be assessed at $165.29 per parcel. Hotel/Motel/RV Parks will be assessed at $5.28 per room/space. Non-residential buildings will be assessed based on square footage, ranging from $289 to $40,390 for commercial buildings and $61 to $8,505 for industrial/warehouses.

The new rates are a 5.7% increase over current rates. The increase for a residential home is $8.15 per year.

The estimated Fire Rescue cost for the 2026/2027 fiscal year is $6,114,692.

Solid waste collection: $414.36 per residence

Okeechobee County garbage collection and disposal fees will go up about 5.6% for the new fiscal year.

The assessment for the 2026/2027 fiscal year will be $414.36 per dwelling unit, an increase of $21.84. The 2025/2026 fiscal year assessment was $392.52.

The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.