Sanibel fire board sets tentative millage rate, gets updates
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s commission approved the not-to-exceed millage rate and budget hearings for fiscal year 2023-24 at its meeting, as well as held pinning ceremonies for two staffers.
On July 12, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 to adopt a tentative millage rate of 1.8753, which would exceed the rolled-back rate of 1.1061 mills. It would result in a tax increase of 69.54% to residents of the district. The millage rate can be lowered during the budget process, but not raised.
As part of the vote, the commission also set the budget hearings for Sept. 6 and 20 at 5:01 p.m.
Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot gave a presentation on the current year’s budget and an overview of the projected budget for 2023-24, including an issue with the “rolled-back rate.”
He explained that the rolled-back rate is the rate that it would take to generate the same amount of revenue in the coming year as was generated in the previous year. The district’s current millage rate is 1.2365 mills. To generate the same amount of revenue, the actual rolled-back rate should be 1.8753.
Due to several factors, including changes on forms, a decrease in revenue due to the property tax refund from the hurricane and drop in property valuations post-storm, 1.1061 mills has been deemed the rate. Barbot reported that he, and others, have made the property appraiser aware of the issue.
He noted that the 1.1061 would generate a revenue equivalent to the district’s 2008 budget.
Since 2008, the millage rate has increased 34% and revenue has increased 50.2%.
“It is not the actual rolled-back rate,” Barbot said of the 1.1061 mills.
Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul, who was in attendance for the meeting, explained that his district is facing the same problem. He also spoke to the property appraiser.
“They assured me that the calculations are right,” he said, noting that they are not and that he was instructed to raise the millage rate for his district to generate the lost revenue. “It is what is it.”
“We are going to have an increase, as well,” Pawul added of his district’s likely next millage rate.
He also shared that the property valuations are set for the fire district as a whole, not for individual structures. The county property appraiser and Florida Department of Revenue determines those.
“Unfortunately, it’s on us to explain that to property owners,” Pawul said.
In his presentation, Barbot highlighted the following for the revenues and millage for the upcoming budget year: property valuations are down 34.76% from the current year; ad valorem revenue is estimated at about $5,215,296; the estimated ad valorem is a decrease of about $2,694,210 in funds from about $7,909,506 this year; and the district is liable for about $394,121 due to the tax relief.
For the district’s reserves, he reported that the emergency/operating fund has about $3,101,714, the apparatus fund has about $1,031,529 and the major medical/fire equipment fund has about $167,835.
He also outlined the possible funding sources for the coming year, to include: $1,597,423 with the FEMA Community Disaster Loan; a state appropriation grant of $2 million that the district is seeking; cash carry forward from the current year; a millage rate increase; and tapping emergency reserves.
Barbot provided the commission with a chart of what the 1.8753 rate would mean to property owners, from a $63.88 increase on a $100,000 assessed value, to a $1,277.60 increase on a $2 million value.
Also, among the area fire districts — Boca Grande, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Iona-McGregor, Pine Island, San Carlos Park and South Trail — 1.2365 is the lowest current millage.
“We have no choice but to go with the higher millage rate,” Commissioner Jerry Muench said of the 1.8753 mills, which the rest of the commission agreed with and noted that it can be lowered later.
Also during the meeting, a pinning ceremony was held for newly promoted Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria. In addition, a second pinning ceremony was held for newly promoted Lt. Shane Grant.
Also at the meeting, the commission heard about the new beach rescue vehicle in action.
On July 3 at about 12:30 p.m., a call came in for a trauma injury involving an adult woman on the beach near Jamaica Drive and Tradewinds Drive on the west end of the island. DiMaria reported that crews responded to the scene with a fire engine and the recently purchased Can-Am beach vehicle.
“They found the patient sitting in a beach chair,” he said.
“She jumped headfirst into the water and bumped her head on the bottom,” DiMaria added.
He reported that the crews immobilized her to avoid any further injuries, placed her on a stretcher and transported her off the beach, where she was then taken by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation.
“We were able to keep up with the engine,” DiMaria said. “And get to the patient on the beach faster.”
“That’s why we needed to get a replacement,” Barbot added. “And it has worked out great.”
IN OTHER NEWS
– Barbot reported that administrative staff is speaking with two banks about possible financing for Station 172’s rebuild on Sanibel-Captiva Road. However, the goal is to receive and use state funding.
FEMA is still reviewing possible funding for the project, which could be about $3 million.
Staff is continuing to work with the firm SchenkelShultz Architecture on the design. The original footprint proposed will be reduced about 1,500 square feet to help bring down the project cost.
In addition, the district will have to seek variances from the Sanibel Planning Commission.
– Division Chief of Prevention Larry Williams reported that he continues to conduct plan reviews, which totaled about 500 for the year as of the meeting, as well as focus on fire wall installations.
He also reported that he is working with the Island Water Association on the fire hydrants. Williams explained that the saltwater inundation from the hurricane has rusted and corroded a lot of parts.
“So a lot of hydrants have gone bad,” he said.
Williams noted that he has ordered more parts and hydrants, which cost about $3,000 each.
“I think it’s going to be an issue,” he said of the number of damaged hydrants.
– The commission voted 3-0 to make its meetings available virtually to the public and staff.
– The district has responded to 492 calls this year, compared to 968 for the same period for 2022.
“We’re down about 51% this year,” DiMaria said.
– The district participated in the city’s 4th Family Fun Community Cookout on July 4 at the Sanibel Recreation Center. They brought about 400 balloons for a water balloon fight with the children.
“We lost miserably,” DiMaria laughed. “We had a great time. So that was very successful.”
– The following personnel were recognized for their years of service: Lt. Michael Martin for 16 years.