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...

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.

There Is Statistics On The Reason For Increase
 

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.

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

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?

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

It's a limit increase, not a fee increase.
The current limit has been in place for over 10 years.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

You missed the point of the post. :)