Lehigh Community Council heard a presentation on the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District’s proposed simplified fire assessment but postponed a decision as to whether the panel should take a formal position on the matter to be decided by voters.
Chief Robert DiLallo was present and spoke to council members and the public, via Zoom, one reason the commission decided not to take a position — at least not yet.
Council President Chuck Edwards said the council’s meeting had a large public turn-out the last time the simplified fire assessment was proposed.
The proposed change is on the Primary Election ballot, set for Aug. 18. The district is asking Lehigh Acres voters to replace the current “demand-based” assessment with a “simplified” assessment methodology. Under the simplified methodology, property owners would pay an annual assessment not exceeding $162 per parcel plus $.93 per $1,000 of the value of improvements on a parcel of land.
A lot-owners group is opposed to the change, saying it unfairly — and substantially — transfers the burden of cost.
The Lehigh Acres Lot Owners Association says lot owners — who can’t vote if they don’t live in the district — will pay a 700% assessment increase, even homes valued above $239,000 will see a significant increase over prior years.
A Political Action Committee has been form to stop the fire department increases at www.getthefactslehigh.com
According to the PAC, this is the same thing the people voted down in June 2019 when the fire department $300,000.00 taxpayer money on a special election.