I had intended to continue my discussion of hurricane-related information this month. However, something even more urgent needs to be discussed. As most of you know, the State Legislature will be meeting in special session beginning June 12th to discuss Property Tax Reform. There are several proposals being considered all of which include less tax revenue. That means that local governments would be forced to cut services, many of them essential to our quality of life such as Fire Rescue, Law Enforcement, Palm Tran and Palm Tran Connection. Governor Crist has said that local governments are using “scare tactics.” During his visit to Palm Beach County May 21st, the Governor said, “I will make this prediction: Not one firefighter will be let (laid) off; not one law enforcement officer will be fired; and shame on the local governments who put that fear in you.”
Fire Rescue services that are provided by the County are funded through a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU). This shows up on your tax bill as a separate line item, so it is easy to determine exactly what you pay for this service. Just check your last tax bill. Because Fire Rescue is funded as a separate entity, its budget stands alone, separate from the County’s general fund or any other taxing unit. This means that any tax cuts ordered by the Legislature will have to be absorbed directly and entirely by Fire Rescue and can’t be shared or offset by other revenue sources currently received by the County. County Fire Chief Brice is very concerned about this. Without an exemption for MSTUs, he will be forced to make serious cuts in his budget. In a recent meeting, he assured me that he intends to do whatever he can to try and obtain a legislative exemption for MSTUs. However, should these cuts become reality, Fire Rescue’s ability to build new facilities and avoid layoffs would be greatly diminishe.
Since September 11, 2001, Fire Rescue has completed and/or funded a large number of capital projects with the sole purpose of lowering response time and enhancing service to new growth areas with high demand. These projects include several new or replacement fire stations in District 5: Station 41 - Military Trail/Boynton Beach Blvd., Station 44 - Flavor Pict Rd./Jog Rd., Station 47 - Boynton Beach Blvd./Turnpike, Station 53 - Lyons Rd./Century Village, Station 57 - Lyons Rd./Vista Del Lago Blvd. and Station 58 - Glades Rd./Boca Falls.
During this same time frame, Fire Rescue has substantially increased the number of firefighters/paramedics required to staff these new facilities and to enhance existing rescue units by increasing staff from 2 to 3 personnel per unit. This has greatly enhanced Fire Rescue’s ability to serve our area which has an extremely high medical/rescue demand.
Lowering the level of service from Fire Rescue is not a “scare tactic.” It is a fact. It is a quality of life issue. I have been working diligently with Chief Brice and the staff at Fire Rescue to resolve this serious situation. I am convinced that it is necessary for the State Legislature to exempt MSTUs from any property tax reform. If you agree, I urge you to contact your state representatives and senators and tell them how you feel.
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Government
