With no fee increase for the 2015-16 fiscal year, the West Manatee Fire Rescue district assessment and budget passed unanimously Sept. 17 with no public comment.
According to Chief Tom Sousa, there are approximately 19,500 parcels in the district, which is made up of residential and commercial properties and vacant lots. Once the tax roll has been certified by a board vote, it can’t be changed unless an error in math is discovered, which must be appealed to the tax collector.
Commissioners approved the 2015-16 fiscal year budget with a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Al Robinson dissenting.
Commissioners also voted Sept. 17 to retain the services of the lobbyist at a rate of $275 per hour, with a cap of $25,000. Sousa said he doesn’t believe the fee will reach the maximum.
Robinson expressed concern about the board’s decision to hire a Tallahassee legal firm to lobby for a local bill to amend language in the district’s enabling act regarding how assessments are charged and returning Commissioner George Harris’s seat to the proper election rotation.
Commissioners considered the potential cost of a study to determine if the assessment method is effective and how it compares to similar fire districts.
Sousa asked to move the item to January. “I think it would be interesting to look at,” he said.
“I like the idea,” Chair David Bishop said. “I don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on it.”
Commissioner Randy Cooper said he thought the results of the study would be a good way to justify the district’s fees to the public.
Commissioners agreed to postpone requesting bids for the study until early 2016.
Funding for the reconstruction of Station 4, 407 67th St. W., Bradenton, also was discussed. Sousa presented the commission with a proposal to borrow $1.75 million at 2.5 percent interest for 10 years to help fund construction. Sousa proposed the remaining construction cost, $600,000 plus design fees, be paid from the district’s reserve fund. The total cost of design and construction for the new station is projected to be $2.6 million. Commissioners agreed to vote on the matter next month.
Commissioners next meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the administration building, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.