NFM Fire District Balances Budget Without Tax Rate Increase

http://www.northfortmyersfire.com/

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100831/NEWS0111/100831017/1075/Fire-commissioners-remove-North-Fort-Myers-tax-referendum-from-Nov.-ballot

The North Fort Myers fire district will not place a tax rate increase on the November ballot.

Fire commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to remove the referendum. The tax hike would have increased the rate from $2.50 per $1,000 of taxable value to $3.

Commissioners, the union and the administration felt an increase would be a burden to residents in the tough economy, according to a district news release. The board felt that if the district could balance the budget, then don’t increase fire taxes now.

The district has reduced its firefighter staffing through open positions and laid off four non-firefighter staffers.

The union has made huge concessions in the past two years in benefits and salary, according to the release. Average pay for district employees was reduced $3,000 to $5,000.00.

Plans to build a fire station was put on hold.

The district is planning to close a fire station so they can keep more trucks on the road from the other three stations.