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COUNTY TAKEOVER
Below is
from the
Florida Special Districts Online Handbook...more
Special District
Advantages - Reasons Special Districts Are Created
The
Florida Legislature through a special act, the Governor and
Cabinet through a rule, or cities and counties through local
ordinances and general law authority, create special districts
because they:
-
Create a governing board of appointed or elected members who
have the expertise to focus on the specific community needs
and issues the special district is addressing.
-
Generate money to pay for projected growth without putting
an excessive burden on other taxpayers and governments,
since only those who benefit from the special district's
services are required to pay.
-
Ensure accountability of public resources, since special
districts are held to the same high standards as cities and
counties.
-
Protect property values by assuring property owners that
their roads, water and sewer lines, and other essential
facilities and services will continue to be maintained.
-
Save money for affected citizens by selling tax-exempt
bonds, purchasing essential goods and services tax-free, and
participating in state programs and initiatives, such as
state-term contracting.
-
Maintain the financial integrity of the special district by
limiting its liability to civil lawsuits and providing state
assistance in the event of a financial emergency.
-
Recruit qualified employees by offering governmental
employment benefits and incentives, such as possible
participation in the
Florida Retirement System.
MORE Information Related to Special Districts Here
Frequently Asked
Questions
(Answers provided by
SHFR Administration)
Q:
How is the District Funded?
A:
We are currently funded through an Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU)
as well an Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) at a millage rate of
2.286
Q:
What are Municipal service taxing, and Benefit units?
A:
MSTUs and MSBUs are units within the County created by ordinance,
through which specific services are provided. In your case, Spring Hill
Fire Rescue District.
Q:
What is the difference between an MSTU and an MSBU?
A:
The MSTU is the ad-valorem tax assessment. The MSBU is the services
performed. You’re Fire District.
Q:
What will change if we were to vote no for an independent Fire District?
A:
The current (BOFC) Board of Fire Commission will no longer exist to
serve the sole purpose of overseeing your Fire District, giving the
Board of County Commission total control over day to day operations, and
assets.
Q:
Can the County move the equipment that our tax dollars purchased?
A:
No as long as we remain an MSTU they cannot. They can in fact move, and
reallocate personnel to different locations affecting the amount of
Paramedics and Firefighters that currently serve your fire District.
Q:
Will our response times to emergencies change?
A:
This is a hard one to answer. We currently protect 45 sq miles with four
fully staffed fire stations, consisting of a three person advanced life
support engines along with a two person als ambulance with two
paramedics on board as well a Ladder truck. The County Fire Department
covers four hundred plus sq miles with seven stations. So the potential
exists that Spring Hill units will have to cover a much larger area
which can directly affect your Fire Districts response times.
Q:
Like to know more about protecting your Fire District?
A:
Check out your right for Independence Page
@
http://www.springhillfire.com/
RETAIN YOUR RIGHTS VOTE YES
Spring Hill Fire Rescue Rated Among Highest
"ISO" In the U.S....more
Individual commitment to a group
effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society
work, a civilization work.
Vince Lombardi
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