Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill14564
What is it that no one can explain?
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The fire department issue.
I think it started with the vote last November. I have read many comments on the board and I have spoken to many of my neighbors. No one seems to understand the impact of passing the referendum last year or the impact of not passing it.
I don't believe anyone has explained why the fire fighting costs are going up so dramatically. The Sumter County Fire Chief claims that failure to pass the $200 increase will cause a $12 million shortfall in his $24 million budget and that he will have to lay off 30 fireman. Was there no shortfall last year? What was the budget last year? The Villages Public Safety Department will lose 57 new positions and will have to disband the hazardous materials team and his budget will be cut from $34.5 million to $20 million.
If the referendum had passed last November, would the budgets have then been balanced without the $200 increase? If so, where would the money have come from?
The latest census figures for Sumter County show a population of about 135,000.
Did anyone on the board work as a fireman or on their city's budget committee? What is the average cost of a fire department in a town of 135,000?