Responding to overwhelming negative public response to the recent Fire Services fee assessment notices, county commissioners approved a motion unanimously on Tuesday to “cease action on this item and to ask administration to research all alternatives,” said Commissioner Ron Sanchez in his motion.
On July 15, more than 78,000 notices were mailed to residents of the unincorporated areas of St. Johns County to inform them of the proposed Fire Services Municipal Services Benefit Unit fee assessment.
According to commissioners, as many as 6,000 residents called to voice concerns over the notices, which informed property owners of the amounts of their new assessments.
The majority of public response regarded the impact the new fee structure had on commercial properties, commissioners said.
“We didn’t have the knowledge of what this was going to be,” said Sanchez. “The consultants came in and did this and they’re very good at their job. We didn’t realize the impact of what this would have on local businesses.”
The commission had scheduled a public workshop for Wednesday at 7 p.m. to respond to public questions and concerns, but canceled it after voting to cease action on the proposed fee assessment.
Moving forward, county administration will review alternative funding strategies for Fire Rescues and will most likely hold at least one public workshop for public input, said County Administrator Michael Wanchick.
“We followed a legally prescribed process that, unfortunately, it’s occurred in an environment where no one’s happy with the economy and I think this has made a bad situation worse,” said Wanchick.
“It was all of our intent to respond to concerns in the community and if this particular funding vehicle doesn’t work, or some alternative, we’ll look for others. There’s no denying the need for funding Fire Services but we need to find a way with better public acceptance.”
While the official workshop meeting has been canceled, county staff are still available to answer questions and address concerns of residents.
July 22nd 2008 - 2:38PM