With Taxable property valuations up in Lehigh Acres, according to preliminary estimates released by the Property Appraiser’s Office.
In Lehigh Acres, overall property valuation saw a more substantial boost.
According the Property Appraiser’s preliminary numbers, overall valuation is up 9.8 percent within the Lehigh Acres Fire District, a boost of nearly $379 million over 2018’s final total of $4.08 billion.
The fire board has four tax options:
- Do nothing ……
- Charge the maximum amount on the current fire assessment (approx. $343.00 per house)
- Change to ad-valorem from the current fee assessment
- Spend another $100,000 to $200,000 dollars on an election in 2020
Fire Board Chairman Cathy Kruse threaten the taxpayers at the May 28, 2019 meeting, “if they did not vote for the new simplified assessment fee we will just go back to ad-valorem.”
If Kruse could get the board to go back to ad-valorem it would be 3 mills or $3 dollars for every 1000 of value of the total of your property.
If Kruse could convince the board and get a unanimous vote (a 5-0 vote) the switch from assessment to ad-valorem with one board vote they could ever go back to assessment fee without a vote of the voters of Lehigh Acres again.
Commissioner Debbie Cunningham said on Facebook on June 6, 2019. “The citizens of Lehigh Acres had better hope that the board DOES NOT go back to ad-valorem. As one of you of your commissioners, I will not agree with that, because your taxes will go up. Those who are currently exempt from nonad-valorem taxes, will lose those exemptions, and will be required to pay those taxes. I personally, as one of your commissioners, will NOT vote to go back to ad-valorem taxes for the district. Several of us tried to educate our citizens, but many preferred to listen to those who gave out false information. The referendum will be back on the general ballot in the election year 2020.”
Why did the fire board lose the June 4 election, small voter turnout NO, rain at 4 pm on election day NO. The biggest reason for the loss of the election was the three commissioners Cunningham, Sherman, and Bennett could not keep off Facebook or other social media.
Sherman and Bennett would talk to other Facebook users and degrade them and actually talk trash about some of them. When people tried to ask questions, they could not answer them truthfully. When asked to provide documents the commissioners could not or would not provide the information.
It actually states on the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District website that, “It is very important for everyone representing the District to maintain high ethical standards of conduct. The elected commissioners of the District recognize and support the Florida laws that require proper and ethical conduct by the representatives of the District.”
Aren’t Fire Commissioners representatives of the District????
One Facebook user said this, “Bob Bennett seriously, and you represent our fire department! Wow, I can’t believe this. I hope one of the news stations read all the stuff you have written as a board member. I’m just mind blown.”
So, there is a special fire board meeting June 12, 2019 6 pm at Station 104 3102 16th St SW Lehigh Acres, FL 33976 (on Sunshine Blvd)
THE PURPOSES OF THE SPECIAL MEETINGS ARE TO DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY TAKE ACTION ON FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MATTERS AND TO DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY TAKE ACTION ON ANY AND ALL OTHER ITEMS THAT COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
So it sounds like the citizens will get screwed either way. Why even bother going to these meetings? Our voice doesn’t matter. Best thing to do is to move. One less resident to worry about…
And you should be concerned…consider that some would like incorporation and if that occurs someone will be in power and control and there will be no taking it back or stopping it…look at how swiftly the money disappears!