The Facts ….
Lehigh Acres revenue has decreased 64 percent since ’08, according to Lehigh Acres fire district Chief John Wayne said.
In mid-2009, Lehigh laid off 34 firefighters and eight of its administrative staff.
That was the year many districts began to apply for SAFER grants to keep from laying off staff.
Lehigh received one of the highest grants in the country that year, $8.9 million, and followed up two years later with another grant, this time to protect 54 firefighters’ jobs.
Lehigh Acres voters approved a $292 annual fire assessment in the Nov. 4 election, which will provide the district with the money to save the 54 firefighters in jeopardy; keep all its stations open; keep control of its EMS service; and purchase equipment over the next five years.
But even that fix for Lehigh Acres isn’t perfect, Wayne said — while the district’s SAFER grant runs out in March 2015, the district won’t collect its new assessment fee until early 2016.
And that means after all that, Lehigh Acres will have layoffs next year too, up to 46 firefighters for up to 10 months with station closures.
So what did the voters actually vote for, a way for the fire board to raise your fire tax rate every single year without a vote of the people. Also a way to ad ad-valorem back in the tax structure (per State Statue) and charge veterans and not for profits without any legal notice at any given time in the future.
Will this effect Lehigh Acres future growth?
Should the State of Florida audit the Lehigh Acres Fire Department and found out the Real Truth?
Maybe the first one to be let go is the Chief, he makes $66.59 an hour?