Special to the Lehigh Acres Gazette
Representative Matt Caldwell is proposing legislation that would potentially merge the sixteen independent fire districts and two municipal fire departments in Lee County into one district, forming the Lee County Fire Control and Rescue District. This local bill would maintain each district territory as a service delivery area, pending retirement of existing debt.
“Consolidation as a means of reducing costs and improving services has been debated in Lee County for several decades” ,Caldwell said. “I look forward to participating in a public process that will finally bring this question to the taxpayers.”
If passed, this local bill would:
It would obligate every independent fire district and municipal fire department in Lee County to a referendum during the 2018 general election
If a service delivery area votes “No” in the referendum, another referendum cannot be called until 5 years has passed. New referendum election can be called by either the board or by petition of 5 percent of qualified electors of a local independent district.
If a service delivery area votes “Yes” in the referendum, all assets and liabilities of current districts are transferred to the new district. Debt payments remain the responsibility of the service delivery area (taxing subunit) that initially incurred them. Residents only liable for existing debts they benefitted from, not total inherited debt of district.
“This proposal is consistent with the input we have received over the last several years, namely: that voters should make the final choice and that any new consolidated district should remain organized as an independent special district.”, Caldwell said. “I look forward to receiving feedback on this proposal from the community over the next month and at the Lee County Delegation Meeting on January 19th.”