Lehigh Citizens invited to ‘Get the Facts’ at Town Hall Meeting October 30

By: Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District
 
LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. - Oct. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Lehigh Acres Fire Chief John Wayne, Commissioner Cathy Kruse to speak at Town Hall Meeting Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m. at Eunique Event Planning Hall

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. -- Oct. 14, 2014 --
Lehigh Acres Fire Chief John Wayne and Commissioner Cathy Kruse will give a Powerpoint presentation about the state of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District (LAFD) and the proposed Fire Fee Assessment during a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, Oct. 30.

The public forum will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Eunique Event Planning Hall, 1140 Lee Blvd., Unit 105, Lehigh Acres (33936).

Chief Wayne is inviting all Lehigh Acres property owners and residents to get the facts about Lehigh Acres’ emergency call volume, LAFD’s “all hazards” services, current tax revenues, future funding challenges and the methodology used for determining the Fire Fee Assessment. Wayne and Kruse also will answer questions from the audience.

The Town Hall Meeting is part of an ongoing effort to inform Lehigh Acres citizens about their local fire and rescue services and the Fire Fee Assessment voter referendum.

Here are a few facts which will be addressed during the presentation:

•   Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District will respond to about 10,500 calls for service in 2014.

•   LAFD is the largest fire district in Lee County, covering 143 square miles and protecting more than 90,000 residents.

•   It is the third busiest fire department in Lee County (after the City of Fort Myers and Cape Coral)

•   Incident responses have increased by more than 40 percent since 2008.

•   At the same time, tax revenues have decreased by 64 percent since 2008.

•   Tax revenues were more than $20 million in 2007-08 and are now less than $8 million.

•   It takes about $15 million to continue current operations and service levels.

•   LAFD employs 108 firefighters, with a minimum of 21 personnel on duty at all times, operating out of five stations.

•   Average response time is 7.37 minutes.

•   Fire Fee Assessment rates were calculated based on historical calls for service (analyzed for each property use -- ie. residential, commercial, vacant land, etc.)

•   A flat fee of $292 on residential properties will replace the ad valorem tax levy.

•   Churches, charitable organizations and totally disabled veterans who are currently exempt from property taxes will remain exempt from the Fire Fee Assessment.

•   If the referendum fails to pass, 54 firefighters will be laid off, two fire stations will be closed, ambulance transport service will be turned over to Lee County, response time is projected to double, and two fire engines, two brush trucks and one water tender will be taken out of service.

For more information on the Town Hall meeting and to find other information related to the Fire Fee Assessment, visit www.getthefactslehigh.com.

About Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District:

Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District is the largest independent fire district in Lee County, FL, and is responsible for preserving life and property within a 143-square-mile area with an estimated population of 90,000. The district was established in 1963 and has evolved into a highly sophisticated public safety rescue system providing these core services:

•   Fire Suppression

•   Emergency Medical Services

•   Life Safety Management

•   Training

•   Community Emergency Preparedness

Contact
Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District
***@lehighfd.com
End
Source:Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District
Email:***@lehighfd.com
Tags:Lehigh Acres, fl, Lee County, Lehigh Acres Fire Control, Rescue
Industry:Education, Event
Location:Lehigh Acres - Florida - United States
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