- April 26, 2024
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County Council will consider tax in March
The County Council is hoping to get a feel for what residents in unincorporated areas think about the choice between closing four county fire stations or raising the fire fund tax, which is included in property taxes.
Public Protection Director George Recktenwald and County Fire Chief Jeff Smith are taking a presentation around the county (Feb. 24 in Ormond-by-the-Sea and March 3 in Ormond Beach) to explain why more taxes are needed to continue present services.
They will report their findings to the County Council in March.
Those who miss the meetings can listen to them, including audience comments, by going to this link: volusia.org/services/public-protection/fire-services/fire-fund.stml. Also, you can write your opinion on an online form and it will be sent to the County Council.
The officials are telling residents that with falling house values, property taxes have brought in less money, but their workload has remained the same. They say they have cut cost by eliminating 44 positions and exploring ways to use modern technology.
They have been using a reserve fund, built up during the housing boom, to balance the budget the last several years, but cannot draw it down anymore.
“We’re at a crossroads,” Recktenwald said.
They are seeking an increase of 45 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. For a $130,000 home, with $50,000 in exemptions, the increase would be $36 per year, Recktenwald said.
If they don’t get the increase, they will close four fire stations to balance the budget: Rima Ridge Station near northwest Ormond Beach, two stations in the DeLand area, and one near Deltona.
If the stations are closed, each remaining station will have cover 61 square miles, instead of 48 square miles.
“It will have an impact on response times,” Smith said.
At a recent meeting, some audience members stated that the station near their home is not on the list for closing, and there are not that many calls in their area anyway.
Smith responded that their service is county-wide and they move personnel around as needed. If firefighters were moved from their station to help in another area, they would have less protection for their neighborhood.
He also reminded everyone of the wildfires that raged through the county in 1998.
“If a fire is burning in the middle of the county, it can get over here pretty quick,” he said.
Future meetings are listed on the website.
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Bob Mandarino said until the county makes final plans, he doesn’t know if the city would be affected. Last year, the city had 7,400 calls and the county assisted with 350.
“There are many things logistically that could take place,” he said.
