Fire Protection Assessment

[Scbang]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

[Number 10 GI]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

More homes require more fire stations. I don't like unnecessary taxes any more than the other person but to me a tax for fire protection is a necessary tax I can live with. You will pay for it one way or the other, through an assessment or higher property taxes. Nothing is free that I have found so far.

[CWGUY]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

:ohdear: Not what my notice said. :read:

[vintageogauge]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

What it states is they are increasing the maximum allowable assessment which has not been changed for 12 or 13 years. When the time comes to actually increase your assessment there isn't much you can do about it, meeting or no meeting. A bigger deal in my opinion is the 3.8 million dollar surplus in Wildwood tax revenue. What are they doing with it and will they lower our property taxes? They will find somewhere to spend it and will most likely to lower our taxes.

[retiredguy123]

More homes require more fire stations. I don't like unnecessary taxes any more than the other person but to me a tax for fire protection is a necessary tax I can live with. You will pay for it one way or the other, through an assessment or higher property taxes. Nothing is free that I have found so far.
I agree that more houses would require more fire stations. But, why would that result in a higher individual assessment if there are more homeowners to pay for the fire stations? I don't see a lot of houses burning down in The Villages. Who determines how many fire stations we really need?

[Velvet]

Of all the price increases I object to, fire fighters aren’t one of them. They do a lot more than just put out fires. Last year I ate something and I was chocking on it. I dialed for help, couldn’t even talk, but firemen were at my home within minutes. By then I was able to breathe and open the door for them. I will always be thankful that they came to help. It reminded me of my aunt who at a young age chocked to death on a chicken bone she accidentally swallowed.

[JoMar]

I agree that more houses would require more fire stations. But, why would that result in a higher individual assessment if there are more homeowners to pay for the fire stations? I don't see a lot of houses burning down in The Villages. Who determines how many fire stations we really need?

Salaries, Insurance, equipment purchase and maintenance, Building maintenance are a few of the things whose costs increase each year. I believe the fire stations are built and staffed based on the number of houses so the allocations should be the same regardless.

[retiredguy123]

Salaries, Insurance, equipment purchase and maintenance, Building maintenance are a few of the things whose costs increase each year. I believe the fire stations are built and staffed based on the number of houses so the allocations should be the same regardless.
I think they should be built and staffed based on the number of fires, not on the number of houses. It seems to me that there aren't very many house fires occurring in The Villages.

[tophcfa]

More homes require more fire stations. I don't like unnecessary taxes any more than the other person but to me a tax for fire protection is a necessary tax I can live with. You will pay for it one way or the other, through an assessment or higher property taxes. Nothing is free that I have found so far.

Don’t more homes mean more households will be paying for fire protection? Why do existing residents rates need to potentially go up 3X to cover the increased needs?

[DLJ1657]

The notice says there will be a hearing for public comment. This is required by law. It doesn't say our assessment is going up - it says they want to raise the ceiling in the event their future budgets require the extra money, and to do that, they must hold a public hearing. I believe there are formulas that outline parameters for recommended fire protection based on area and density; whether these are followed in TV when they decide to put up a new station or not, I'm not sure - it would be a good question to ask the commissioners!

[MandoMan]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

I have an ex-brother-in-law who is a Libertarian. He believes that the fire departments should be privatized. People could decide whether or not they want to pay for fire protection. If they want it, they would pay a yearly fee, rather like insurance, say $350 a year. This would pay the costs of running the fire department, including salaries, supplies, and equipment. If there was a fire in the homes of those people, the fire department would come put it out. No further charge. Essentially, all the subscribers chip in to cover the costs.

However, those who didn’t want to pay the $350 a year could opt out and pay nothing. But if there was a fire, the fire department would show up and keep the homes of the neighbors safe. If the homeowner without coverage refused to sign the paperwork, the burning house would burn to the ground. If the homeowner did sign, the home would be saved if possible, but the homeowner would receive a fair bill from the fire department that includes all costs for putting out the fire, for training, for insurance, for hospital costs, etc. Say a minimum of $10,000, and easily ten times that amount.

He also believes that police protection should be for those who pay for it. There’s a burglary at your house? If you haven’t paid for police insurance and want help, you get billed for, say, the detectives, the court case, etc. I don’t agree with him.

[cegallup]

I think they should be built and staffed based on the number of fires, not on the number of houses. It seems to me that there aren't very many house fires occurring in The Villages.Why almost 300% ? Yes, costs go up. And Yes we want good fireman, but let's be reasonable and not emotional.

"Not many house fires in The Villages" - TRUE.

Open to opinion - Do they really need to send a fire engine (sometimes with Emergency truck) to EVERY fender-bender on the roads ? This constitutes the majority of "runs" for the fire trucks. That catch-all term "With an abundance of caution" does not set well with me.

[Debra Freeman]

See how far the fire house and hydrants are from your home. If they are very close, your home owners insurance should be decreased which might offset the tax increase.

[airdale2]

I agree that more houses would require more fire stations. But, why would that result in a higher individual assessment if there are more homeowners to pay for the fire stations? I don't see a lot of houses burning down in The Villages. Who determines how many fire stations we really need?
Good Point - 86% of FD runs are for medical issues, However your impact fees & monthly fees should be well on the way of paying for them.

[tsmall22204]

What a ridiculous idea. Communities need fire protection. If you are not willing to pay for it, you can move.

[jbrown132]

The more homes and businesses you have the greater the tax base. Taxes and fire assessments should go down not up.

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

I think they want to ‘streamline’ tax hikes up to $360 - in the future w/out going thru the process of presenting to the public why they are asking for it and what they intend to exactly do with it. If we need tax increases - ok - but - we need to have the right to know - in advance - exactly where and how the money will be spent and be able to voice our opinions.

I think our firefighters are great. It is not fair to them or us - if we must pre-commit to up to 3x what we are paying now - with no say on how it is spent.

Think of it this way - you have a college kid wanting to go to college - you tell them - ok - “I will agree to give you $40k to get your degree - here is the check - I trust you, no questions asked.” After the first semester - your kid comes home and says - “I need more for my college degree - I went to an Ivy League school and $40k only paid for the first semester - oh, and by the way - I failed all my classes:”.

Writing a check for an amount up to 3x more - with absolutely no governance in place - In my opinion, can easily result in even higher taxes.

[Mountaineers]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

The comments are partially correct. It's not an increase, its a proposal to raise the ceiling of increases without notice. The fundamental problem is the Commission has not conducted an economic study to precede the proposal. The ceiling amount is arbitrary. I think nearly everyone supports firefighters. But, I would want to know if we're going to reach the new ceiling this year or in ten years. That question can only be answered by a proper forecast of revenues/expenses factoring growth and increase in revenue due to growth.

[WesMan]

I think they should be built and staffed based on the number of fires, not on the number of houses. It seems to me that there aren't very many house fires occurring in The Villages.
You are incorrect!!!!!!! Open your eyes!!!

[Gmaf6]

We may not have many fires in TV, but our firemen are also EMTs and they get called many times for health emergencies. Not a day goes by when I don’t see or hear several ambulances go by. My only question about the hike is where did our 25% tax increase go? Wildwood, it’s my understanding, has a substantial surplus so.........??????

[Girlcopper]

I have an ex-brother-in-law who is a Libertarian. He believes that the fire departments should be privatized. People could decide whether or not they want to pay for fire protection. If they want it, they would pay a yearly fee, rather like insurance, say $350 a year. This would pay the costs of running the fire department, including salaries, supplies, and equipment. If there was a fire in the homes of those people, the fire department would come put it out. No further charge. Essentially, all the subscribers chip in to cover the costs.

However, those who didn’t want to pay the $350 a year could opt out and pay nothing. But if there was a fire, the fire department would show up and keep the homes of the neighbors safe. If the homeowner without coverage refused to sign the paperwork, the burning house would burn to the ground. If the homeowner did sign, the home would be saved if possible, but the homeowner would receive a fair bill from the fire department that includes all costs for putting out the fire, for training, for insurance, for hospital costs, etc. Say a minimum of $10,000, and easily ten times that amount.

He also believes that police protection should be for those who pay for it. There’s a burglary at your house? If you haven’t paid for police insurance and want help, you get billed for, say, the detectives, the court case, etc. I don’t agree with him.
Only get service if you pay and let crime run rampant and your house burn down if you dont? Ridiculous.

[Windguy]

I think they should be built and staffed based on the number of fires, not on the number of houses. It seems to me that there aren't very many house fires occurring in The Villages.

Most of their work is as paramedics. Don’t think of it as the number of fires, but how often you hear their sirens.

[Dilligas]

I think they should be built and staffed based on the number of fires, not on the number of houses. It seems to me that there aren't very many house fires occurring in The Villages.
You need to learn more about what the fire Dept does. Home fires, although significantly important, is only a part of their Service to us. When you have a hart attach or other medical issue, the are at your home in 4 minutes, with life saving equipment and training. The assist the elderly in maintaining smoke alarms, the respond to accidents of bikes, cars, or carts......virtually every 911 call in TV. They also assist in neighbor to neighbor response team set ups so that your medical issue is handled within 2 minutes (before TVFD arrives) and CPR training. TV Fire department response is one of the best in the nation and is being modeled by many other communities.

[Lindaws]

It is a cap NOT a new assessment charge.

[Dantes]

Your correct nothing is free unless your not from this county 🤫

[pgettinger01]

I agree with you. Base it on the history of calls not on number of houses.

[vintageogauge]

This is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the increase in our property values over the last several years and with the high cost of building supplies the values will continue to increase. Also having a well funded top notch fire department is a plus when selling your home which eventually all of us will be doing.

[Bogie Shooter]

I have an ex-brother-in-law who is a Libertarian. He believes that the fire departments should be privatized. People could decide whether or not they want to pay for fire protection. If they want it, they would pay a yearly fee, rather like insurance, say $350 a year. This would pay the costs of running the fire department, including salaries, supplies, and equipment. If there was a fire in the homes of those people, the fire department would come put it out. No further charge. Essentially, all the subscribers chip in to cover the costs.

However, those who didn’t want to pay the $350 a year could opt out and pay nothing. But if there was a fire, the fire department would show up and keep the homes of the neighbors safe. If the homeowner without coverage refused to sign the paperwork, the burning house would burn to the ground. If the homeowner did sign, the home would be saved if possible, but the homeowner would receive a fair bill from the fire department that includes all costs for putting out the fire, for training, for insurance, for hospital costs, etc. Say a minimum of $10,000, and easily ten times that amount.

He also believes that police protection should be for those who pay for it. There’s a burglary at your house? If you haven’t paid for police insurance and want help, you get billed for, say, the detectives, the court case, etc. I don’t agree with him.

I seem to recall this was tried a long time ago in our early history.........didn’t work then either.

[Rsenholzi]

It is real , and another thing that should have been covered by the developers impact fees instead of charging the residents of TV! We are paying for the building of the additional firehouses, buying of trucks and equipment, hiring of more firefighters, etc. This should have been factored in in the impact fees to the developer! Yet they still pay under $1000. Stand up and be heard

[Jeffmit]

Looks like protection money paid to the mob.

[retiredguy123]

Most of their work is as paramedics. Don’t think of it as the number of fires, but how often you hear their sirens.
I would be interested to know how the paramedic work they do interfaces with Medicare and other health insurance. Does the Fire Department and their paramedics get reimbursement from health insurance? Medicare covers emergency ambulance services. Just asking.

[riamd1954]

Sounds like he’s a pretty dumb. The fire department will always put out fires that’s what they do !!

[Jerseygirl08]

What a ridiculous idea. Communities need fire protection. If you are not willing to pay for it, you can move..
Communities do need fire protection. If you read and thought about the statements made, you would see that was never never never a point of contention. So are you really saying, ........ We need fire protection, and if the powers-that-be decide to raise the cost 300%, we should just pay and not debate it?

[Scbang]

:ohdear: Not what my notice said. :read:

What did you get? No increase in maximum assessment? I don't mind paying for fire protection but $125 to $360 does not sound reasonable increase..

[stebooo]

Shouldn't the new homes bear this burden?

[DAVES]

More homes require more fire stations. I don't like unnecessary taxes any more than the other person but to me a tax for fire protection is a necessary tax I can live with. You will pay for it one way or the other, through an assessment or higher property taxes. Nothing is free that I have found so far.

Throughout history it has always been the same. Everyone wants, but wants someone else to pay for it. It will not happen but wouldn't it be great if, we had a computer program
where they said Mr. Dave, I see you think we need, more teachers? more Police? More spraying? More xxxxx? Your increased cost for ........... will be ..............

We all tend not to think about OUR cost.

[J1ceasar]

I am amazed that some people don't read their local news. In Wildwood the city lost and 82 million dollar judgment. They have to make it up somewhere. Also you may not realize it, but generally speaking when somebody calls 911 with a medical emergency not only do the ambulances magically appear but the first people on the scene are usually the first aid providers from the fire stations. So it's certainly doesn't hurt they have more stations and more money to pay people that are medically qualified.

[Ken D.]

Stupidest idea I’ve heard in a long time, I know you stated you don’t agree, thankfully.

[DAVES]

What did you get? No increase in maximum assessment? I don't mind paying for fire protection but $125 to $360 does not sound reasonable increase..

We usually get partial information on all of these posts. Most fees, TAXES, have limit to how much they can increase. This increase is almost 3x in one year. I expect something
is missing.

As far as our fire service, they also do EMS service. They do a great job.

I seem to recall a thread a while ago where villagers thought they should be paid more.
People, all of us, think someone else, NOT US, should pay for it-whatever it is.

[Joe C.]

the more homes and businesses you have the greater the tax base. Taxes and fire assessments should go down not up.

there it is !! Well said. Nothing else needs to be said.

[Cheiro]

I have an ex-brother-in-law who is a Libertarian. He believes that the fire departments should be privatized. People could decide whether or not they want to pay for fire protection. If they want it, they would pay a yearly fee, rather like insurance, say $350 a year. This would pay the costs of running the fire department, including salaries, supplies, and equipment. If there was a fire in the homes of those people, the fire department would come put it out. No further charge. Essentially, all the subscribers chip in to cover the costs.

However, those who didn’t want to pay the $350 a year could opt out and pay nothing. But if there was a fire, the fire department would show up and keep the homes of the neighbors safe. If the homeowner without coverage refused to sign the paperwork, the burning house would burn to the ground. If the homeowner did sign, the home would be saved if possible, but the homeowner would receive a fair bill from the fire department that includes all costs for putting out the fire, for training, for insurance, for hospital costs, etc. Say a minimum of $10,000, and easily ten times that amount.

He also believes that police protection should be for those who pay for it. There’s a burglary at your house? If you haven’t paid for police insurance and want help, you get billed for, say, the detectives, the court case, etc. I don’t agree with him.

Hi, I find your concept interesting simply because from the 18th and early 19th centuries that is just how fire insurance worked. Each homeowner would sign up with a particular "mutual fund" and pay a premium for fire protection. There would be a large metal tag on the house indicating the fire protection the homeowner had purchased and from which fund. When the fire brigade arrived, if they saw their tag on the house, they would put the fire out. If the tag was not there, or it was not their tag they would leave and let the house burn. Benjamin Franklin was among the first to set up a "mutual" fund of what he called a "Contributionship." His fund was so successful that by the 1780s more mutual fund companies began to be formed and the modern concept of Property/Casualty insurance began.

[Rodneysblue]

More homes require more fire stations. I don't like unnecessary taxes any more than the other person but to me a tax for fire protection is a necessary tax I can live with. You will pay for it one way or the other, through an assessment or higher property taxes. Nothing is free that I have found so far.
What about economy of scale?

[RayAmb]

Are they doing a shell game with the budget and moving the Fire Department line item to an ASSESSMENT ? If so ,,',,why ? AND, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FD LINE ITEM MONEY. COULD ???,, It be used as an offset to a tax decrease. Oh,,, Let’s hope not a shell game.

[JWish]

That’s a very rude reply. Costs don’t triple overnight, and no one should have a blank check, regardless of the service.

[JWish]

That’s a very rude reply. Costs don’t triple overnight, and no one should have a blank check, regardless of the service.

My original comment was to the person who said they should pay it or move out, only put more rudely.

[Bogie Shooter]

Sounds like he’s a pretty dumb. The fire department will always put out fires that’s what they do !!

Which "he" are you referring to? There are so many.......

[retiredguy123]

My original comment was to the person who said they should pay it or move out, only put more rudely.
Yes, it's amazing how many people are wiling to write a blank check for a service and criticize those who question how much the service is really worth.

[Spalumbos62]

You are incorrect!!!!!!! Open your eyes!!!

HEY.....we prefer you don't talk to others that way on this post....ty

[Scbang]

Yes, it's amazing how many people are wiling to write a blank check for a service and criticize those who question how much the service is really worth.
Totally agree. I am not questioning that I need to pay for fire protection. But my current assessment is $124 which is $1 less than maximum assessment limit. Am I wrong to assume that when they have $360 limit, I might be charged for $359?

BTW, am I the only one received this notice? Has everyone received similar notice? Were they all for 3X increase?

[Wendy Bradley]

Being a retired Firefighter, EMT, Public Safety Officer . I find this quite funny.... Everyone wants us (only) when they need us. Most of us do these jobs because we love it. Most of us hold down second jobs. Due to t hff at first job will not feed our families pay a mortgage. When I started 30 years ago I made $1.42 an hour ! Fire protection is NOT calculated by how many fires are in one area is by population. The national average for EMS truck roll at of their station is 5 minutes. The average for a Fire Apparatus 2 minutes . We not only handle Fires, entrapment, car accident, medical calls, kids needing help with projects, people falling. How dare you say it is a waste. The average fire engine Carries 750 maybe 1000 gallons of water. That is 5 to 7 1/2 minutes to fire a fire. Still want to cut the taxes... You put on that 50lbs of gear and step up to the plate and do our job.

[coconutmama]

You were not the only one to receive the notice. Yes, it was for the same amount

Considering that the starting pay is $13.04/hr with max of about $20/hr, the increase doesn’t appear to be going where it needs to.

The proposed increase is ridiculous. The addition of all those thousands of new houses should cover any needed fire stations. When was the last audit? And done by whom?

[petiteone]

They also come out and change the batteries in your fire/smoke detectors for free (you supply the batteries). 2X+ a year from current $150/year is a small amount compared to the amount of $$ spent on golf, drinks and dining in a year.

[john1006]

Please reread the proposal. From my understanding it is raising the "cap" on the public safety assessment. That allows the commissioners to increase the annual assessment up to $360. That is not likely to be done in one adjustment. I suspect that they will use the authority to increase the assessment from time to time to meet increased costs. Hopefully it will take several years to max out the increases. Many are viewing this as they did the "25%" property tax increase, it was really not 25% of your taxes but a much lesser amount based on just the local tax. Much ado about little. Compared to where most of us came from we are doing very well.

[Scbang]

Please reread the proposal. From my understanding it is raising the "cap" on the public safety assessment. That allows the commissioners to increase the annual assessment up to $360. That is not likely to be done in one adjustment. I suspect that they will use the authority to increase the assessment from time to time to meet increased costs. Hopefully it will take several years to max out the increases. Many are viewing this as they did the "25%" property tax increase, it was really not 25% of your taxes but a much lesser amount based on just the local tax. Much ado about little. Compared to where most of us came from we are doing very well.

Let's not talk about what we can and can't afford. If SUBWAY increase sandwich price 3X, would you still go there? If Chevy increase the cheapest car price 3X, would you still buy it? I have not heard anything like 3X increase other than Shkreli increasing diabetes medicine for 1200% or 5500%. I am just asking TV's wise people whether this is acceptable to you or there is a reasonable explanation that I have not heard yet here.
As of yet, I have no reason to believe the next bill ( as soon as it passes ) will be less than $359.

[Dilligas]

Why do people visit TV, love what they see and experience, and check the cost and low taxes, then buy & move here, then complain and want to change things? TV has gained its growth and reputation over 40 years because of the way things are run here and the way the developers organized things. TV is like no other community in USA, for that reason. You found things here good enough for purchase & moving, so don’t try to change things, otherwise TV will become messed up like where you came from.

[jellybean428]

Hi, I just received a notification from Sumter County that my fire protection assessment will be increased from $125 to $360. Is this real? 3 times of the current assessment? They said I have to attend the meeting to appeal. Is this one of the scams that only attending people get to stay with the current rate and snowbirds will be assessed 3 times higher rate? Please advise.. SC

more homes require more coverage, yes, but more homes also represent increased revenues!! a 300% increase from everyone seems a bit over the top.
I think we are being taken advantage of, for certain.

[Advogado]

When the Developer pays a fire impact fee of zero, who do people think is going to pay for all the new fire stations and equipment necessitated by the massive expansion of The Villages?

[Pairadocs]

A serious incident agree, but how in the world does that tie to a 300% raise in fire taxes ?Wouldn't any fire fighter do the same in any city, it would have nothing to do with tax base. Isn't the villages growing and growing and bringing in MORE money to be spent on fire protection ? Again, the logic is not there: ANY city anywhere that is growing at a good pace does not need to triple the tax rate, don't "they" understand that the growth will support a new station and employees as needed ?

[Bogie Shooter]

A serious incident agree, but how in the world does that tie to a 300% raise in fire taxes ?Wouldn't any fire fighter do the same in any city, it would have nothing to do with tax base. Isn't the villages growing and growing and bringing in MORE money to be spent on fire protection ? Again, the logic is not there: ANY city anywhere that is growing at a good pace does not need to triple the tax rate, don't "they" understand that the growth will support a new station and employees as needed ?

I continue winder if “they” understand anything.:shrug:

[Vernon Hud]

You see those new apartment buildings in Brownwood, they need ladder trucks to cover these buildings. They are owned by the developer, but they do not want to pay for anything, so the homeowners have to divvy up. Just like the impact fees.

[SUENRAN]

I'll try and provide a little insight into this discussion. In regard to where fire stations should be located the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard is withing 1.5 miles for engine companies and 2.5 miles for aerial ladders. This standard also states that 90% of the time a fire company should arrive within 8 or less minutes from when the caller first requests assistance (911). Staffing: NFPA standards state that an engine (or truck) company should have a staffing of 4 persons. Each person has a specific job (Officer: Determine tactics and oversee their company; Driver operates the pump and provides water to the hoses. Firefighter 1 attacks the fire and is backed up by either the Officer or Firefighter 2. Firefighter 2 connects the supply lines to the hydrant and then joins the attack team. Having less than this number of firefighters would be dangerous...and firefighting is a dangerous job.

Minimum staffing at the scene of a structure fire requiring use of hoses, per NFPA Standards, is 16 firefighters (18 if an aerial ladder is used).

Is a fire engine needed for a "fender bender"? That can only be determined when the unit arrives at the scene. Would it be better to wait and let the victim be trapped in a hazardous atmosphere or respond immediately. I'm would want fast assistance.

There are very few "subscription" fire departments in the United States. However, in those areas serviced by subscription fire departments there are times when the house burns down. It is a simple matter of economics. If no one subscribed there would be no fire department.

Cost: A new fire engine is around $750,000. A new aerial ladder is around $1,300,000. You may argue that this is a lot of money and I agree it is. However if you were risking your life using one of these vehicles, would you want something that was safe and reliable or a used one? (NFPA standards require annual evaluation of these devices (not inexpensive) and the total anticipated service time for these vehicles does not exceed 20 years. Replacement depends on how intensive the use is (i.e. few emergencies the apparatus lasts longer, lots of emergencies the apparatus needs replaced more often).

Auditing. This will depend on state law, but typically each fire department or municipality is audited on an annual basis.

The Villages Fire Department is a separate agency, but works together with neighboring fire departments (Sumter County and other municipal fire departments to provide quality to services).

Consider stopping by a fire station and talking with the firefighters. The firefighters are well trained and are happy to show you the equipment that they utilize. They respond to not only fires, but hazardous materials emergencies, water emergencies, medical emergencies. Remember: When YOU have an emergency who do you call?

Also, property tax is assessed to the owner of each building, be it a single family dwelling, an apartment building, or any other building. So yes, the developer pays their fair share for apartments. It is no different than the owner of a home renting the home....they still pay taxes on the value of the building.

$1 a day (if the maximum amount were requested) seems like a bargain to me...

[joelfmi]

The real estate broker before you buy will never tell you about these special assessments. Thank you for tell us about these assessments this is one of the many things that they can do after you buy at the villages. NOT VERY GOOD FOR BUYERS.

[vintageogauge]

The real estate broker before you buy will never tell you about these special assessments. Thank you for tell us about these assessments this is one of the many things that they can do after you buy at the villages. NOT VERY GOOD FOR BUYERS.

You are using the wrong agents. I would suggest Beth Pope if you want to know everything regarding costs, assessments, possible noise, etc. Assessments can be attached to any home anywhere, not just in The Villages. Over the years I have been assessed for storm sewers, sanitary sewers, road widening, putting in truck turning lanes, etc., tens of thousands of dollars.

[kappy]

The comments are partially correct. It's not an increase, its a proposal to raise the ceiling of increases without notice. The fundamental problem is the Commission has not conducted an economic study to precede the proposal. The ceiling amount is arbitrary. I think nearly everyone supports firefighters. But, I would want to know if we're going to reach the new ceiling this year or in ten years. That question can only be answered by a proper forecast of revenues/expenses factoring growth and increase in revenue due to growth.
There will be increases, probably every year. If you go to the County website and look for the agendas to the meetings, you will find the numbers that were used to come up with $360. I believe it was a meeting in February. Browse each agenda until you find the proper one.

If you are unable to attend any of the public Board meetings, you can easily find out what was discussed and all the documents that are used to make the decisions that are made at these Board meetings. You can also listen to an audio of each and every meeting going back many years. All too often, people post to these threads and really are unaware of the circumstances that created whatever cause you are wondering about. If you care about the way our County is run, you should at least listen to the audio of the Board meetings if you cannot be in attendance. That way you can make comments based on facts, rather than what you might read in the local paper.

[rarcpa]

My understanding was this was an increase in the maximum which was set at $160 years ago. It took years to reach the max. There is nothing mentioned about next years rate being set at the new max of $360

[Scbang]

I'll try and provide a little insight into this discussion. In regard to where fire stations should be located the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard is withing 1.5 miles for engine companies and 2.5 miles for aerial ladders. This standard also states that 90% of the time a fire company should arrive within 8 or less minutes from when the caller first requests assistance (911). Staffing: NFPA standards state that an engine (or truck) company should have a staffing of 4 persons. Each person has a specific job (Officer: Determine tactics and oversee their company; Driver operates the pump and provides water to the hoses. Firefighter 1 attacks the fire and is backed up by either the Officer or Firefighter 2. Firefighter 2 connects the supply lines to the hydrant and then joins the attack team. Having less than this number of firefighters would be dangerous...and firefighting is a dangerous job.

Minimum staffing at the scene of a structure fire requiring use of hoses, per NFPA Standards, is 16 firefighters (18 if an aerial ladder is used).

Is a fire engine needed for a "fender bender"? That can only be determined when the unit arrives at the scene. Would it be better to wait and let the victim be trapped in a hazardous atmosphere or respond immediately. I'm would want fast assistance.

There are very few "subscription" fire departments in the United States. However, in those areas serviced by subscription fire departments there are times when the house burns down. It is a simple matter of economics. If no one subscribed there would be no fire department.

Cost: A new fire engine is around $750,000. A new aerial ladder is around $1,300,000. You may argue that this is a lot of money and I agree it is. However if you were risking your life using one of these vehicles, would you want something that was safe and reliable or a used one? (NFPA standards require annual evaluation of these devices (not inexpensive) and the total anticipated service time for these vehicles does not exceed 20 years. Replacement depends on how intensive the use is (i.e. few emergencies the apparatus lasts longer, lots of emergencies the apparatus needs replaced more often).

Auditing. This will depend on state law, but typically each fire department or municipality is audited on an annual basis.

The Villages Fire Department is a separate agency, but works together with neighboring fire departments (Sumter County and other municipal fire departments to provide quality to services).

Consider stopping by a fire station and talking with the firefighters. The firefighters are well trained and are happy to show you the equipment that they utilize. They respond to not only fires, but hazardous materials emergencies, water emergencies, medical emergencies. Remember: When YOU have an emergency who do you call?

Also, property tax is assessed to the owner of each building, be it a single family dwelling, an apartment building, or any other building. So yes, the developer pays their fair share for apartments. It is no different than the owner of a home renting the home....they still pay taxes on the value of the building.

$1 a day (if the maximum amount were requested) seems like a bargain to me...

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Still does not explain anything about 3X increase.
Refer my previous post. It's not about how much I can/should pay. Why 3X?

[Phil D]

In our property tax I think we pay fire tax also.

[dewilson58]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Still does not explain anything about 3X increase.
Refer my previous post. It's not about how much I can/should pay. Why 3X?
It's a limit increase, not a fee increase.
The current limit has been in place for over 10 years.

[J1ceasar]

You know this blog is a great place for information but when you have something like this, your county or state representatives are the places to go to for the true information. I have always found at least in my county of lake for them to be nice and knowledgeable, and in fact when I had issues, they've actually knocked on my door and sat down for a cup of coffee

[Girlcopper]

I agree that more houses would require more fire stations. But, why would that result in a higher individual assessment if there are more homeowners to pay for the fire stations? I don't see a lot of houses burning down in The Villages. Who determines how many fire stations we really need?
Oh. I didnt realize that because theres not alot of fires, we therefore dont need more fire stations. I guess we’ll wait until a few things burn down and then add a fire station

[J1ceasar]

Of course your brother seems to forget and if you don't sign the paperwork for the fire department, then your insurance costs also will go up. I have found in life you always pay somewhere and I guarantee you 99.999% of the properties have insurance

[J1ceasar]

I applaud you for your courage and conviction. The trouble with most people on here is that they simply don't understand revenue and budgets. Further they're willing to complain behind the privacy of a screen but not get off their backsides to attend a meeting or to write a letter to their representatives. I have always found in the central Florida that our politicians are very responsive to our questions and comments. They may not agree or have other objectives but they certainly do want to talk to us and be on our good side when they can now withstanding a certain infrastructure tax we have problems with

[retiredguy123]

Oh. I didnt realize that because theres not alot of fires, we therefore dont need more fire stations. I guess we’ll wait until a few things burn down and then add a fire station
Maybe we should buy a fire truck for every house, in case it catches fire. The point is that, if the risk is reduced, the fire protection should also be reduced.

[rmd2]

See how far the fire house and hydrants are from your home. If they are very close, your home owners insurance should be decreased which might offset the tax increase.

I have one right on my property. There is no offsetting of taxes.

[dewilson58]

I have one right on my property. There is no offsetting of taxes.
You missed the point of the post. :)

[rmd2]

You were not the only one to receive the notice. Yes, it was for the same amount

Considering that the starting pay is $13.04/hr with max of about $20/hr, the increase doesn’t appear to be going where it needs to.

The proposed increase is ridiculous. The addition of all those thousands of new houses should cover any needed fire stations. When was the last audit? And done by whom?

We don't have a "city" budget. We don't need any audits - right? We don't need to be questioning a 300% increase. We just need to get our checks out and pay it. I have never seen so many people who just seem to want to pay a 300% tax!

[RayAmb]

For years i was responsible for piblic safety budgets. Including police and fire. This increase has questionable optics.

Some retirees could “ die by a thousand cuts”. Just saying,,,,, know what your doing !

[Bogie Shooter]

The real estate broker before you buy will never tell you about these special assessments. Thank you for tell us about these assessments this is one of the many things that they can do after you buy at the villages. NOT VERY GOOD FOR BUYERS.

You have heard of, due diligence, right?

[oldtimes]

Throughout history it has always been the same. Everyone wants, but wants someone else to pay for it. It will not happen but wouldn't it be great if, we had a computer program
where they said Mr. Dave, I see you think we need, more teachers? more Police? More spraying? More xxxxx? Your increased cost for ........... will be ..............

We all tend not to think about OUR cost.

Brilliant

[allsport]

Firefighters work for the county, ambulances are contracted out and that is the problem.

[wwisner]

More homes require more fire stations. I don't like unnecessary taxes any more than the other person but to me a tax for fire protection is a necessary tax I can live with. You will pay for it one way or the other, through an assessment or higher property taxes. Nothing is free that I have found so far.

I have to disagree with this reply. An assessment is assessed on everybody. The more houses the more assessments to cover any additional costs! You don't need to raise the assessment to cover the cost the fact that there are more houses and more assessments should cover the costs. If there is a need because of inflation to increase revenue it would never be at a 300% rate! Just like all governments they need to work within the means that were set forth at the beginning. Increasing an assessment 300% is ridiculous!

[retiredguy123]

Firefighters work for the county, ambulances are contracted out and that is the problem.
The ambulance companies are reimbursed by health insurance, but the Fire Department is funded by taxes. About 58 percent of firefighter calls are for medical emergencies. So, apparently, if a fire truck and an ambulance both respond to a call, the ambulance company will file an insurance claim, but the Fire Department will not. This sounds like redundancy, but maybe it is worth the cost to have firefighters and an ambulance respond to medical emergencies.

[Civicar]

It seems to me that too many fire departments use the fire trucks every time an ambulance goes out. That, in my opinion, is not good use of resources. If the fire trucks only went out when they were truly needed, they could not justify adding more trucks and personnel. The only explanation I have been given by firemen for this, is the paramedics might need help lifting a heavy patient. Well, seems like it would be an easy question for 911 dispatchers to ask before deploying an ambulance, which already has 2 paramedics. Ask our commissioners the question and perhaps save some assessments in the future?

[retiredguy123]

It seems to me that too many fire departments use the fire trucks every time an ambulance goes out. That, in my opinion, is not good use of resources. If the fire trucks only went out when they were truly needed, they could not justify adding more trucks and personnel. The only explanation I have been given by firemen for this, is the paramedics might need help lifting a heavy patient. Well, seems like it would be an easy question for 911 dispatchers to ask before deploying an ambulance, which already has 2 paramedics. Ask our commissioners the question and perhaps save some assessments in the future?
Yes, 58 percent of their deployments are for medical emergencies, not fires.

[karenestep]

This is only a CAP increase at this time. The last time they increased the cap was 14 years ago, and the yearly increases finally caught up to that cap. They made the CAP large enough again to be able to suffice for several upcoming smaller increases. Every time they send out a required notice, it costs $39,000 .... So by making the cap large they won't have to send out a notice for several years again. There will be a small increase coming up, though ... As there has been needed all along ( like all other expenses that go up through the years). The letter did not explain any of this well.

[oldtimes]

It seems to me that too many fire departments use the fire trucks every time an ambulance goes out. That, in my opinion, is not good use of resources. If the fire trucks only went out when they were truly needed, they could not justify adding more trucks and personnel. The only explanation I have been given by firemen for this, is the paramedics might need help lifting a heavy patient. Well, seems like it would be an easy question for 911 dispatchers to ask before deploying an ambulance, which already has 2 paramedics. Ask our commissioners the question and perhaps save some assessments in the future?

They usually get there first and are better trained. If it were my life it would matter to me.

[bagboy]

They usually get there first and are better trained. If it were my life it would matter to me.

We have lived here 11 years, same Village, same street. There have probably been between 2 and 3 dozen non fire emergency calls responded to in that time. Though I can't prove it, the fire department crews/medics have arrived on scene 1st, every time. They are an extremely valuable asset to our aging population.

[nn0wheremann]

I have an ex-brother-in-law who is a Libertarian. He believes that the fire departments should be privatized. People could decide whether or not they want to pay for fire protection. If they want it, they would pay a yearly fee, rather like insurance, say $350 a year. This would pay the costs of running the fire department, including salaries, supplies, and equipment. If there was a fire in the homes of those people, the fire department would come put it out. No further charge. Essentially, all the subscribers chip in to cover the costs.

However, those who didn’t want to pay the $350 a year could opt out and pay nothing. But if there was a fire, the fire department would show up and keep the homes of the neighbors safe. If the homeowner without coverage refused to sign the paperwork, the burning house would burn to the ground. If the homeowner did sign, the home would be saved if possible, but the homeowner would receive a fair bill from the fire department that includes all costs for putting out the fire, for training, for insurance, for hospital costs, etc. Say a minimum of $10,000, and easily ten times that amount.

He also believes that police protection should be for those who pay for it. There’s a burglary at your house? If you haven’t paid for police insurance and want help, you get billed for, say, the detectives, the court case, etc. I don’t agree with him.
St Louis County in Missouri relied upon private fire companies through most of the 1950s. Then there were a few instances of fire companies letting houses burn down. So, elections were held and lots of little public fire protection districts were set up, and everyone was happy for about forty years. Then the firefighters unions began to get their people elected to the fire protection district boards, and suddenly salaries went way up. The union kept management on board by keeping white shirt salaries higher than union rate. Taxes went up too, much hand wringing and crying foul, but not much done because the firefighters' unions were well organized. Count your blessings, and stay registered to vote, and keep your eyes and ears open.

[thesteve685]

No public agency should wait 12 years or more to solicit a request for update.
Bad management. A 5 year plan is what is needed. This would keep the updated
amount in focus. Nobody should be planning their budgets for 12 years from now.
Come on...

[Mrprez]

We have lived here 11 years, same Village, same street. There have probably been between 2 and 3 dozen non fire emergency calls responded to in that time. Though I can't prove it, the fire department crews/medics have arrived on scene 1st, every time. They are an extremely valuable asset to our aging population.

And then in a new neighborhood barely a year old, the house behind us caught on fire and did substantial smoke damage requiring the house to be taken back to it’s bones to be repaired. The cause of the fire was due to an exploding battery for a cordless lawn mower. The owners were out of their house for over a year.

[Scbang]

The last question. For those who live in Marion or Lake county, how much do you pay for fire protection? How much is your maximum assessment and have you received any notification of the assessment increase like us who live in Sumter within last 5 years or so?

[rockyhyder]

I read the Executive Summary https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/17941?fileID=42674 They are planning to remove most of the fire service funding from the general fund so the $360 is likely next year!

[Advogado]

The real question here is: Why isn't the Developer paying a fire impact fee for each new house he builds?

The massive expansion of The Villages will require a massive number of new fire stations and equipment. Via a fire impact fee, the cost of those should be borne by The Developer and, to the extent the cost is passed on in the form of higher prices, by the new residents. These costs should not be offloaded on to the present residents of Sumter County.

Because the Developer had 5 puppets on the Sumter County Commission for years, he has been successful in offloading on to the present residents the infrastructure costs of his expansion of The Villages. Thus, we had a 25% property tax hike, and the Developer's sweetheart impact fee remained untouched. None of this is mentioned in today's front-page Daily Sun article by the Developer's Minister of Propaganda David R. Corder.

Enough is enough!

[vintageogauge]

Yes, 58 percent of their deployments are for medical emergencies, not fires.

The key word here is emergencies. I have no problem with that as they arrive in just a few minutes, the ambulances can be well over 20 minutes.

[vintageogauge]

The last question. For those who live in Marion or Lake county, how much do you pay for fire protection? How much is your maximum assessment and have you received any notification of the assessment increase like us who live in Sumter within last 5 years or so?

When did we here in Sumter receive a notification of a assessment increase? I must be missing something as all I have read about is increasing the maximum "allowable" assessment.

[Joe V.]

The real question here is: Why isn't the Developer paying a fire impact fee for each new house he builds?

The massive expansion of The Villages will require a massive number of new fire stations and equipment. Via a fire impact fee, the cost of those should be borne by The Developer and, to the extent the cost is passed on in the form of higher prices, by the new residents. These costs should not be offloaded on to the present residents of Sumter County.

Because the Developer had 5 puppets on the Sumter County Commission for years, he has been successful in offloading on to the present residents the infrastructure costs of his expansion of The Villages. Thus, we had a 25% property tax hike, and the Developer's sweetheart impact fee remained untouched. None of this is mentioned in today's front-page Daily Sun article by the Developer's Minister of Propaganda David R. Corder.

Enough is enough!

I guess you want the developer to pay for one's oatmeal too.

[Bogie Shooter]

I guess you want the developer pay for one's oatmeal too.

With sugar on top.

[Bill14564]

The real question here is: Why isn't the Developer paying a fire impact fee for each new house he builds?

The massive expansion of The Villages will require a massive number of new fire stations and equipment. Via a fire impact fee, the cost of those should be borne by The Developer and, to the extent the cost is passed on in the form of higher prices, by the new residents. These costs should not be offloaded on to the present residents of Sumter County.

Because the Developer had 5 puppets on the Sumter County Commission for years, he has been successful in offloading on to the present residents the infrastructure costs of his expansion of The Villages. Thus, we had a 25% property tax hike, and the Developer's sweetheart impact fee remained untouched. None of this is mentioned in today's front-page Daily Sun article by the Developer's Minister of Propaganda David R. Corder.

Enough is enough!

Doesn't the developer already build the fire stations and then turn them over to the CDD? I thought I read that somewhere, is it not true?

"Massive number of new fire stations?" Just how many new fire stations constitute a "Massive number?"

Your song has already gotten old and I haven't been here that long.

[eyc234]

I guess you want the developer to pay for one's oatmeal too.


:bigbow::bigbow:

[Advogado]

I guess you want the developer to pay for one's oatmeal too.

No, I just want him to pay for his own county infrastructure instead of having his puppet County Commissioners require the present residents to do so. You disagree with that?

[Kenswing]

Today's challenge. Can we get through an entire sentence without the words puppet or sweetheart?

[Joe V.]

No, I just want him to pay for his own county infrastructure instead of having his puppet County Commissioners require the present residents to do so. You disagree with that?


I am just amazed how you think you have so much more to offer than the rest of us mere mortals. Why do you hate a successful business so much?

[Topspinmo]

The more homes and businesses you have the greater the tax base. Taxes and fire assessments should go down not up.

That’s what I thought when the added 350 new homes in my district. Wrong taxes still when up over 200 dollars.

[Topspinmo]

With sugar on top.


And drink.

[Advogado]

I am just amazed how you think you have so much more to offer than the rest of us mere mortals. Why do you hate a successful business so much?

I am not the issue here, and I admire successful businesses-- unless they expect the taxpayers to subsidize their operations-- which is what has been going on in Sumter County.

The issue here is who should pay for the county infrastructure necessitated by the Developer's massive expansion of The Villages. That was the issue in the last county commissioner election. In that election, the voters decided, when they booted the Developer's puppets out by a 2-to-1 margin, that the infrastructure should be paid for by the Developer.

[Northwoods]

I am not the issue here, and I admire successful businesses-- unless they expect the taxpayers to subsidize their operations-- which is what has been going on in Sumter County.

The issue here is who should pay for the county infrastructure necessitated by the Developer's massive expansion of The Villages. That was the issue in the last county commissioner election. In that election, the voters decided, when they booted the Developer's puppets out by a 2-to-1 margin, that the infrastructure should be paid for by the Developer.

The Developer has built and PAID FOR every FIre Station in The Villages. They turn it over, AT NO CHARGE to the District.

I believe that is an example of where The Developer is paying for infrastructure.

[vintageogauge]

It failed to pass.

[DeanFL]

.
.
Sumter commissioners refuse to raise fire assessment cap

April 13, 2021


After listening to about two hours of public comments, Sumter County commissioners Tuesday night voted unanimously not to increase the current maximum fire assessment cap of $125 per improved land parcel.

A proposed increase to $360 aroused intense opposition from more than 150 people who packed the meeting room at Everglades Recreation Center and another 50 or more who listened in an adjacent room.
The fire assessment cap sets the maximum fee that can be charged. The current cap was set in 2007 and this year’s fee was $124 per parcel. Next year’s fee will be set in July during the county budget process.
County Administrator Bradley Arnold said the fixed costs for the county’s two fire departments, one for The Villages and the other for the rest of the county, are about $25.5 million and the fire assessment covers about $8.3 million of that. The rest comes from other sources including property taxes.

Commissioners, known for split 3-2 decisions, were united in opposing any increase.

“This is extremely disadvantageous to citizens who are not well off financially,” Commissioner Oren Miller said of the proposed maximum rate hike. “I do not think we need to raise the cap at all at this time.”

Commissioner Doug Gilpin agreed and said commissioners promised not to raise taxes for five years after a controversial 24 percent tax rate increase in 2019.

“I’m going to keep that commitment,” he said. “I’m not to vote to raise any taxes. We have no need to increase this at all.”

Commissioner Craig Estep said the county should consider setting a maximum amount that the fee can be raised each year.

“I think it’s a comfort for the citizens to put a lid on that annually,” he said. “It’s a comfort to the public to know we aren’t going to slam them with an increase in July.”

After the vote, Commissioner Gary Search said commissioners listened to the people.

“Whether we agree with each other’s decisions, it’s about the people,” he said.

The crowd objected loudly when County Chairman Garry Breeden interrupted the public hearing for scheduled zoning cases and about a third of the most angry people stormed out. The hearing resumed after the cases were done.

The vote came after a succession of speakers from both rural Sumter County and The Villages blasted the proposed maximum cap increase. Some speakers said commissioners were catering too much to The Villages while others criticized the lack of fire hydrants and poor response times in rural areas.

Marjorie Wells, 90, a resident of southern Sumter County, said she was there when the county last raised the maximum fire assessment cap in 2007.

Wells said she recently spent 16 days in the hospital and 10 days in a nursing home as she successfully battled the COVID-19 virus.

“This county commission all sold out to The Villages,” she said. “We are farmers and we like where we live. We don’t want to have to move out of the county.”

Danielle Root of Lake Panasoffkee said the money should come from The Villages since Villagers and future Villagers will benefit the most.

“I don’t understand why you are going to ask every single person for the money when it’s going to be handed to The Villages,” she said.

Charlie Jacobs of Wildwood said the fee is “the way of having the poor people pay for us not having a state income tax.”

Linda Miller and Ivory Gray of Oxford said there is no way they could afford to pay an annual fire assessment of over $300.

Delbert Crosby and Kenneth Noble said county officials should address problems of substandard service and sending too many trucks to some incidents.

“I want the proper service for what I am paying for,” Noble said.

[dewilson58]

.
.
Sumter commissioners refuse to raise fire assessment cap

April 13, 2021



Copyright infringement cut&paste from the online hater paper???

[Joe V.]

I am not the issue here, and I admire successful businesses-- unless they expect the taxpayers to subsidize their operations-- which is what has been going on in Sumter County.

The issue here is who should pay for the county infrastructure necessitated by the Developer's massive expansion of The Villages. That was the issue in the last county commissioner election. In that election, the voters decided, when they booted the Developer's puppets out by a 2-to-1 margin, that the infrastructure should be paid for by the Developer.


You lost. Suck it up. Are you really Meta? Seems like the voters are having buyer's remorse.

[CWGUY]

.
.
Sumter commissioners refuse to raise fire assessment cap

April 13, 2021


After listening to about two hours of public comments, Sumter County commissioners Tuesday night voted unanimously not to increase the current maximum fire assessment cap of $125 per improved land parcel.

A proposed increase to $360 aroused intense opposition from more than 150 people who packed the meeting room at Everglades Recreation Center and another 50 or more who listened in an adjacent room.
The fire assessment cap sets the maximum fee that can be charged. The current cap was set in 2007 and this year’s fee was $124 per parcel. Next year’s fee will be set in July during the county budget process.
County Administrator Bradley Arnold said the fixed costs for the county’s two fire departments, one for The Villages and the other for the rest of the county, are about $25.5 million and the fire assessment covers about $8.3 million of that. The rest comes from other sources including property taxes.

Commissioners, known for split 3-2 decisions, were united in opposing any increase.

“This is extremely disadvantageous to citizens who are not well off financially,” Commissioner Oren Miller said of the proposed maximum rate hike. “I do not think we need to raise the cap at all at this time.”

Commissioner Doug Gilpin agreed and said commissioners promised not to raise taxes for five years after a controversial 24 percent tax rate increase in 2019.

“I’m going to keep that commitment,” he said. “I’m not to vote to raise any taxes. We have no need to increase this at all.”

Commissioner Craig Estep said the county should consider setting a maximum amount that the fee can be raised each year.

“I think it’s a comfort for the citizens to put a lid on that annually,” he said. “It’s a comfort to the public to know we aren’t going to slam them with an increase in July.”

After the vote, Commissioner Gary Search said commissioners listened to the people.

“Whether we agree with each other’s decisions, it’s about the people,” he said.

The crowd objected loudly when County Chairman Garry Breeden interrupted the public hearing for scheduled zoning cases and about a third of the most angry people stormed out. The hearing resumed after the cases were done.

The vote came after a succession of speakers from both rural Sumter County and The Villages blasted the proposed maximum cap increase. Some speakers said commissioners were catering too much to The Villages while others criticized the lack of fire hydrants and poor response times in rural areas.

Marjorie Wells, 90, a resident of southern Sumter County, said she was there when the county last raised the maximum fire assessment cap in 2007.

Wells said she recently spent 16 days in the hospital and 10 days in a nursing home as she successfully battled the COVID-19 virus.

“This county commission all sold out to The Villages,” she said. “We are farmers and we like where we live. We don’t want to have to move out of the county.”

Danielle Root of Lake Panasoffkee said the money should come from The Villages since Villagers and future Villagers will benefit the most.

“I don’t understand why you are going to ask every single person for the money when it’s going to be handed to The Villages,” she said.

Charlie Jacobs of Wildwood said the fee is “the way of having the poor people pay for us not having a state income tax.”

Linda Miller and Ivory Gray of Oxford said there is no way they could afford to pay an annual fire assessment of over $300.

Delbert Crosby and Kenneth Noble said county officials should address problems of substandard service and sending too many trucks to some incidents.

“I want the proper service for what I am paying for,” Noble said.

I see no Delbert Crosby and Kenneth Noble on the Sumter Property Appraiser's web site? But I'll still place this in the book I'm writing. I have a chapter on "All the things people want to be in charge of." Fire Dept. response assignments will be added to the longggggggg list!

True story: On one call during my career in the Fire Service we were at a local college for an alarm. Response assignment for a school was 3 Engine Co., 1 Truck Co., a Rescue Squad, and a Bn. Chief. Turns out it was a M.F.A. and all units were returned to service. As I was getting back on my rig a College Professor ask me why were so many pieces of equipment sent? I told him we usually just send the "False Alarm Rig" but it was down for repairs that day. He said "Oh I understand" or something to that effect. You can't make this crap up..... no one would believe you.

[Stu from NYC]

I see no Delbert Crosby and Kenneth Noble on the Sumter Property Appraiser's web site? But I'll still place this in the book I'm writing. I have a chapter on "All the things people want to be in charge of." Fire Dept. response assignments will be added to the longggggggg list!

True story: On one call during my career in the Fire Service we were at a local college for an alarm. Response assignment for a school was 3 Engine Co., 1 Truck Co., a Rescue Squad, and a Bn. Chief. Turns out it was a M.F.A. and all units were returned to service. As I was getting back on my rig a College Professor ask me why were so many pieces of equipment sent? I told him we usually just send the "False Alarm Rig" but it was down for repairs that day. He said "Oh I understand" or something to that effect. You can't make this crap up..... no one would believe you.

The people that are allowed to teach our children. Sad sometimes

[Bogie Shooter]

In the Daily Sun article there seemed to be a lot of ignorant questions being ask. Like why change the flowers so often tax money could be saved to pay for fire protection.....

[CWGUY]

In the Daily Sun article there seemed to be a lot of ignorant questions being ask. Like why change the flowers so often tax money could be saved to pay for fire protection.....

:ohdear: A long time ago I stopped asking "How uninformed can people be?" Mostly because I think some where taking it as a challenge! :icon_wink:

[vintageogauge]

:ohdear: A long time ago I stopped asking "How uninformed can people be?" Mostly because I think some where taking it as a challenge! :icon_wink:

Amen to that.

[Advogado]

The Developer has built and PAID FOR every FIre Station in The Villages. They turn it over, AT NO CHARGE to the District.

I believe that is an example of where The Developer is paying for infrastructure.

What is the source of your information and could you supply some details? I am not trying to argue, but it is not easy to find a description of our fire-fighting/ems structure in Sumter County. As I have pointed out, the Developer pays fire and ems impact fees of $0. Are you saying that the Developer supplies fire and ems equipment, as well as the fire-station buildings?

Do you know where a description can be found as to the process and structure that you describe? Also, how does the Sumter County fit into the structure that you describe? Which "District" do you understand owns the buildings and equipment?

Assuming that you are correct and the Developer does build the fire stations and turns them over to a"District" free of charge, who pays for the fire and ems trucks and equipment? A single fire engine may cost as much or more than the fire station in which it sits. $1 million dollars for a fire truck? Yup, and here's why (https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/fire-apparatus/articles/1-million-dollars-for-a-fire-truck-yup-and-heres-why-miZF81kYVmcMxoZ0/)

[stan the man]

The Developer has built and PAID FOR every FIre Station in The Villages. They turn it over, AT NO CHARGE to the District.

I believe that is an example of where The Developer is paying for infrastructure.

Please show me

[Number 10 GI]

Doesn't the developer already build the fire stations and then turn them over to the CDD? I thought I read that somewhere, is it not true?

"Massive number of new fire stations?" Just how many new fire stations constitute a "Massive number?"

Your song has already gotten old and I haven't been here that long.

The song is far beyond old, it has been in the psychotic ranting stage for a long time now.

[CWGUY]

:icon_wink: Lawyer joke! :popcorn:

[Goldwingnut]

Please show me

Check the documents on the Sumter County Property Appraiser's website for each parcel of property the fire stations sit on. No sale price is give and the deeds contain a statement that the property can only be used for a fire station (or similar) and that if used for anything else the property reverts back to the original owner (the developer). The only way they (a government body) can agree to a deed restriction like this is if they did not have to pay for the property.

[Northwoods]

Check the documents on the Sumter County Property Appraiser's website for each parcel of property the fire stations sit on. No sale price is give and the deeds contain a statement that the property can only be used for a fire station (or similar) and that if used for anything else the property reverts back to the original owner (the developer). The only way they (a government body) can agree to a deed restriction like this is if they did not have to pay for the property.

Advogado and Stan the Man. The above information is why I made that statement. Goldwingnut has a much better understanding of this than I do.
It is nice when someone can present facts with proof.

[Aloha1]

Interesting article in the Daily Sun about this. Seems the Troika is covering their tracks with false statements as to who proposed and supported this tax. DS lists several sources so easy to check out.

[Bill14564]

Interesting article in the Daily Sun about this. Seems the Troika is covering their tracks with false statements as to who proposed and supported this tax. DS lists several sources so easy to check out.

It's a shame it isn't online but since I'm not at all interested in funding the company I won't be buying one to read the article.

Care to provide links to the sources?

[Aloha1]

itIt's a shame it isn't online but since I'm not at all interested in funding the company I won't be buying one to read the article.

Care to provide links to the sources?

If you spent the 50 cents for the paper you would know. What was printed was :

"Estep stated he never championed the issue but in a 1/5 workshop he was the first commissioner to nudge the tax cap forward. Neither Miller nor Search opposed that move". Public record

"Wednesday nite, Miller tried to distance himself from the issue claiming on Facebook that he never saw the letter sent out to homeowners notifying them of the proposal. In truth all commissioners were asked to review the letter at the 1/26 meeting per the meeting transcripts. Chairman Breeden asked at that meeting, "Everyone looked at it? Any questions? No objections or comments were made". Again, Public record .

"On the day of this week's vote, Miller supported a Facebook post that cast Arnold as the driver of the tax cap hike yet it was Miller who made the motion at the 2/9 meeting to push it forward to vote. Search seconded." Public record

"After the public comment on Tuesday, Miller attempted to keep the tax hike alive stating they could look at it again in June or July. Miller also went on Facebook to shrug off the facts from Public records saying "If you read it in the Daily Sun it's probably wrong.""

So a politician claims the PUBLIC record is wrong? Something is rotten in Denmark.

[Bogie Shooter]

If you spent the 50 cents for the paper you would know. What was printed was :

"Estep stated he never championed the issue but in a 1/5 workshop he was the first commissioner to nudge the tax cap forward. Neither Miller nor Search opposed that move". Public record

"Wednesday nite, Miller tried to distance himself from the issue claiming on Facebook that he never saw the letter sent out to homeowners notifying them of the proposal. In truth all commissioners were asked to review the letter at the 1/26 meeting per the meeting transcripts. Chairman Breeden asked at that meeting, "Everyone looked at it? Any questions? No objections or comments were made". Again, Public record .

"On the day of this week's vote, Miller supported a Facebook post that cast Arnold as the driver of the tax cap hike yet it was Miller who made the motion at the 2/9 meeting to push it forward to vote. Search seconded." Public record

"After the public comment on Tuesday, Miller attempt to keep the tax hike alive stating they could look at it again in June or July. Miller also went on Facebook to shrug off the facts from Public records saying "if you read in the Daily Sun it's probably wrong.""

So a politician claims the public record is wrong? Something is rotten in Denmark.

Now, where have we seen that in the last few years?
Seems Miller is using Facebook to say something different that his public statements..

[Aloha1]

Now, where have we seen that in the last few years?
Seems Miller is using Facebook to say something different that his public statements..

Yup. Pesky little things, those facts.

[Bill14564]

If you spent the 50 cents for the paper you would know. What was printed was :

Even at 50 cents I have no interest in funding that paper. If they want to convince me of something then they can get their message to me, I'm not going to pay for the privilege.

"Estep stated he never championed the issue but in a 1/5 workshop he was the first commissioner to nudge the tax cap forward. Neither Miller nor Search opposed that move". Public record

"Wednesday nite, Miller tried to distance himself from the issue claiming on Facebook that he never saw the letter sent out to homeowners notifying them of the proposal. In truth all commissioners were asked to review the letter at the 1/26 meeting per the meeting transcripts. Chairman Breeden asked at that meeting, "Everyone looked at it? Any questions? No objections or comments were made". Again, Public record .

"On the day of this week's vote, Miller supported a Facebook post that cast Arnold as the driver of the tax cap hike yet it was Miller who made the motion at the 2/9 meeting to push it forward to vote. Search seconded." Public record

"After the public comment on Tuesday, Miller attempt to keep the tax hike alive stating they could look at it again in June or July. Miller also went on Facebook to shrug off the facts from Public records saying "if you read in the Daily Sun it's probably wrong.""

So a politician claims the public record is wrong? Something is rotten in Denmark.

It appears neither side is clean. It is unfortunate that Miller doesn't remember what seems to have been presented in two prior meetings. It is equally unfortunate that the paper characterizes the June or July meeting as an "attempt to keep the tax hike alive."

It would be so much better if both sides looked out for their constituents or customers rather than bickering with each other.

[Stu from NYC]

Even at 50 cents I have no interest in funding that paper. If they want to convince me of something then they can get their message to me, I'm not going to pay for the privilege.



It appears neither side is clean. It is unfortunate that Miller doesn't remember what seems to have been presented in two prior meetings. It is equally unfortunate that the paper characterizes the June or July meeting as an "attempt to keep the tax hike alive."

It would be so much better if both sides looked out for their constituents or customers rather than bickering with each other.

Your right, a compromise might be best for all.

[Aloha1]

Even at 50 cents I have no interest in funding that paper. If they want to convince me of something then they can get their message to me, I'm not going to pay for the privilege.



It appears neither side is clean. It is unfortunate that Miller doesn't remember what seems to have been presented in two prior meetings. It is equally unfortunate that the paper characterizes the June or July meeting as an "attempt to keep the tax hike alive."

It would be so much better if both sides looked out for their constituents or customers rather than bickering with each other.

Miller's own words, not the paper characterizing it.

You've been had, my friend. Just as an aside, I really do not understand the attitude of not wanting to learn both sides of the story. Your 50 cents only goes to the paper staff, not the "evil" developer. Which also bring to question if people are so unhappy here, why don't they move? It's a big country.