That article is based on wrong information. The fire assessment is not in addition to what people are already paying in property taxes. This is a flat fee, and it replaces the Ad Valorem taxes. People are ignorant about the truth of the matter at hand, especially Robert Anderson who wrote this article. If the fire department doesn’t get this assessment, over 50 employees with the fire and rescue district will be let go. This will mean no ambulance service for Lehigh, and will put the stations down to minimum manning for emergencies. If this should happen insurance companies will base their rates higher because our district will be considered to be an area without adequate fire protection and emergency services. Should the assessment not be passed in November you can expect to keep paying your ad valorem property taxes (which still may increase), and in addition you can expect that property insurance will triple. I bet when that happens people will wish they would have voted for the assessment that the district is asking for. Read the truth here…http://www.lehighfd.com/fire-fee-assessment/
Let’s get the record straight. Mrs. Rocco husband works for the Lehigh Acres Fire Department.
The so-called flat-fee will raise the taxes on 91.08% of the homeowners in Lehigh Acres period.
The fire board calls the assessment “tax relief”, what tax relief when 91.08% going to see a higher tax bill.
The threat of no more ambulance service in Lehigh Acres is a threat only. Currently all property tax bills include general tax for lee county tax which pays for ems service. If Lehigh Fire would give it up Lee County would have to cover the service by law.
Another threat “over 50 employees with the fire and rescue district will be let go” if the board would have actually taken the help of the community leaders and listened this whole item of an assessment would have not come to light again.
That article is based on wrong information. The fire assessment is not in addition to what people are already paying in property taxes. This is a flat fee, and it replaces the Ad Valorem taxes. People are ignorant about the truth of the matter at hand, especially Robert Anderson who wrote this article. If the fire department doesn’t get this assessment, over 50 employees with the fire and rescue district will be let go. This will mean no ambulance service for Lehigh, and will put the stations down to minimum manning for emergencies. If this should happen insurance companies will base their rates higher because our district will be considered to be an area without adequate fire protection and emergency services. Should the assessment not be passed in November you can expect to keep paying your ad valorem property taxes (which still may increase), and in addition you can expect that property insurance will triple. I bet when that happens people will wish they would have voted for the assessment that the district is asking for. Read the truth here…http://www.lehighfd.com/fire-fee-assessment/
Let’s get the record straight. Mrs. Rocco husband works for the Lehigh Acres Fire Department.
The so-called flat-fee will raise the taxes on 91.08% of the homeowners in Lehigh Acres period.
The fire board calls the assessment “tax relief”, what tax relief when 91.08% going to see a higher tax bill.
The threat of no more ambulance service in Lehigh Acres is a threat only. Currently all property tax bills include general tax for lee county tax which pays for ems service. If Lehigh Fire would give it up Lee County would have to cover the service by law.
Another threat “over 50 employees with the fire and rescue district will be let go” if the board would have actually taken the help of the community leaders and listened this whole item of an assessment would have not come to light again.
And for your insurance rates please the read this article ….. http://thelehighacresgazette.com/news/how-do-homeowner-insurance-companies-rate-our-policy-for-fire-protection
The assessment is based on lies and misconceptions of the board attorney’s that do not live or work in Lehigh Acres.
Thank you,
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team