An election for voters of Lehigh Acres to decided if they are willing to pay a $100 special assessments fee on every lot in Lehigh to help finance the operations of the Lehigh Acres Fire Department will not be held in December.

Cheryl Patrick, a deputy registrar, today (Thursday) said the request for holding the election in December had been rescinded.

She said the earliest that such an election could be held would be in the spring primary a year from now, or during the general election in November of 2010.

Richard Pringle, the counsel for the Lehigh Acres Fire District, was expected to offer this information today during a special workshop scheduled for 4 p.m. at the East Lee County Regional Library. It is open to the public.

Nearly 40 firefighters and office personnel were laid off early last week by Chief Don Adams because of budgetary problems. He said the layoff would save the department around $700,000. He also announced the closing of the Milwauke Blvd. Station 105.

There were rumors this week in Lehigh that he may announce more layoffs today, but he told The Citizen that he no plans to make such an announcement.

“I’m not planning any more layoffs at this time,” he said.

The board a few weeks ago voted to go ahead with the special election request of the Supervisor of Elections. However, two people on the 5-member board voted to not have the elections because they said they did not feel the people of Lehigh would vote a tax hike on themselves.