A fiery debate and some harsh words on both side of the picture all in an effort to keep fire and ambulance service in Lehigh Acres.
In two years, the Fire Chief say the department will go broke. While other say they should just cut back on spending.
One proposal is a flat rate for residents locked in at $292 a year — but the Chairman of the fire commission Larry Becker doesn’t think that would be fair. Should a smaller home subsidize larger home in Lehigh Acres, that’s what the flat rate will do put the burden on the unfortunate class of people in Lehigh Acres.
“I look at vacant lots. A lot of them are owned by people out of the country and out of Florida,” said Carol Cunnius.
Under this plan vacant land owners would only pay $21 an acre. Some residents at the meeting say that’s way too inexpensive.
“We gotta make it fair. A private lot, $21, that’s a laughing joke,” one resident said aloud.
Commissioners are working on another plan. That will be presented at the end of next month. Voters will have the final say in the next election which could be as early as August.
“The Fire Assessment Fee vote will be one of the most crucial votes in the history of Lehigh Acres,” Lehigh Acres Fire Chief John Wayne said.
If passed, rates would change in 2016. This assessment fee will also replace the current dollars being taken out of ad-valorem property taxes.
Two years ago when a committee was sitting together to find a solution for the fire dept. financial problems, everybody had only ears for an assessment fee ON TOP of the ad-valorem property taxes. That, of course didn’t fly and would have never gotten the voters agreement.
Now, we are back to the drawing board and to the numbers which I prepared 2 years ago. With the help of the data from the property appraiser and some Excel-sheets it is easy to find out what the total revenue will be if we apply a certain dollar-value PER ACRE (like the water-district is doing it) and a certain dollar-amount per home, dependent on square-feet or number of bedrooms/baths. And the we have to find out how we handle the business community and find a fair measurement for the assessment fee.
I do have all the data still on my computer and am ready to help in the process of negotiations.
Mr. Kloppert, I would like to review your information and/or proposal. Feel free to call the Fire Department @ 303-5300 to schedule an appointment with me. Thank you. John R. Wayne, Fire Chief