This thread makes for fascinating, and very complicated reading: of explanations, estimated and ‘in a perfect world’ cost / tax variables that blur the actual outcome.
As a home owner it is the reality of the bottom line dollar amount on the tax bill due that is simple, real, and one I can understand:
And It is going to be higher.

Thank you for a concise and easily understandable review of the impacts and path forward!

Goldwingnut
“The cost of combining both fire departments into one would be significant, but not so much in dollars but in service”
Generally, when two departments are combined there are cost savings that result from duplication of positions in an organization chart as well as other overlaps. Has this been taken into account in your analysis?

Would it be possible to take a previous budget year, say 2021-22, and simulate what the taxes would be under the proposed IFD structure? This way there are no unknowns, since everything is documented from the past (# of homes, assessments, fire & transport costs, etc). This would present an apples to apples comparison of the two methods to organize the fire & ambulance services.

That seems like a very confident assertion after you seemingly discount an analysis based on the best estimates available. How can you be so confident that taxes will go up?

Then there is the question of how much they will go up.
- If the IFD is not created then the Sumter County Fire-EMS is not separated from the County budget either and we will end up paying for any plus-up in equipment or staff needed to improve that service.

- If the IFD is created but the County Commissioners do not adjust the budget then I may pay an unacceptable additional $600 in taxes.

- If the IFD is created and the County Commissioners offset about 0.71 mils as estimated in the table on the VPSD page then I pay an undesirable additional $300 in taxes.

- If the IFD is created and Commissioner Wiley's calculated offset of 1.66 mils stands then I will see a slight decrease in taxes.

We can't know the numbers until next July; there is no way to determine the numbers until next July. Those numbers will be affected by the new study on how to fund the Sumter County Fire-EMS if the IFD is approved, the economy, the increase in the tax base (number of homes), and the priorities of the commissioners we elect next month (August).

Why would the board be chosen by the governor? Isn't that cronyism instead of a board that has everyone's best interest?

How else would you choose the initial members of a board? The residents don't know what the board does yet or what the minimum qualifications would be so allowing the voters to choose would be like the blind leading the blind.

The Governor chooses experienced, qualified individuals for the initial board to get the district up and running and then the residents choose the new members as the terms of the initial board come to an end. As I understand it, that is Florida law.

Thank you Don for taking the time to explain this to us, can you tell me if the IFD will include us that live in Marion County?

Thank you Don. I always appreciate and trust your insights.

Bottom line is if you want quicker response time there are costs involved. Waiting for an ambulance 10 minutes or perhaps more is unacceptable in my community IMHO. I will be voting to improve this service. We can do better.

What are the pros and cons of an IFD?
 

Don, I’m very confused. Before digging into the financials, I need to understand the overarching issues.

Background:
o Don Wiley states “The vote on the general election ballot on November 8th is only about establishing the IFD and not about the ambulance services. The ambulance service issue was resolved last year and is moving forward in both fire districts. This is the result of residents of The Villages and County Residents requirements for better, more effective, and more responsive emergency transport services. The BOCC listened and reacted accordingly. This higher level of service will come with a price that reflects additional staffing and equipment costs. In the ideal world, these will be cost neutral and self-funding from the transport fees collected.”

o Districtgov.org states “What will I be getting with the annual increase? The Villages Public Safety Department heard from the thousands of residents that they wanted better services and response times than they were receiving from the current transport and service provider. This budget was created to include the revenues and expenditures to provide those comprehensive services, consistent to the higher level of services that residents of The Villages expect in all areas of their lifestyle.


Comments & Questions:
1. Although this emphasizes that the ambulance service issue and the IFD vote this November are separate issues, the messaging seems to treat them as one. For example, “one last thought” on the decision voters must make re: IFD refers to “let the hand of your most cherished one go as they are loaded into the ambulance”
2. It appears the October 2022 change from contracted ambulance service to in-house ambulance and transport should result in better and “more responsive emergency rescue, medical, and transport services”. Given that, why are we considering a separate major change to create two independent Fire Control and Rescue entities?
3. The Districtgov.org site refers to self-governance and autonomy and independent financial sustainability as reasons for forming an IFD. Have Sumter-county residents outside The Villages indicated that they do not also want better and “more responsive emergency rescue, medical, and transport services”?
4. Since the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) previously approved to maintain two distinct Fire & rescue operations I assume they discussed a comprehensive set of pros and cons for establishing the IFD. Could you please share that list (or something similar)?
5. You state that "We will have an independent company review and analyze the costs associated with the county fire department and transport services (ambulance) in the current budget and projected for the upcoming year." Wouldn't it be wise (and perhaps more cost efficient) to have the same independent review and analysis for the VPSD & IFD? Is that planned?
6. To prevent residents from being hit with huge ambulance transport bills, will the new ambulance service be contracted as in-network with major health insurance companies?

Thanks

You seem to have missed a lot of meetings……………
Maybe this will help.
The Villages Independent Fire Control and Rescue District
Sumter View Page

If they can’t figure out the cost now prepare for a shock. How can you trust an entity that can’t do basic accounting? In the business world this would never happen. Easy to spend other peoples money

You can buy a bigger truck for better safety. You can buy more life insurance. Any benefits are speculative

Yes, I missed all the meetings. Most people who will vote on this issue probably missed the meetings. My mind is open, but so far I have not seen information in the local paper or website to justify the proposed change.

"What will I be getting with the annual increase?

The Villages Public Safety Department heard from the thousands of residents that they wanted better services and response times than they were receiving from the current transport and service provider. This budget was created to include the revenues and expenditures to provide those comprehensive services, consistent to the higher level of services that residents of The Villages expect in all areas of their lifestyle. Most notably, the increased expenses account for the assumption of ambulance and transport services, as well as funding to support future fire stations, apparatus and personnel to maintain a constant state of readiness in this ever-growing community."

At the moment, this is the position of District staff as presented on the districtgov.org website.