The Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners ended up in a stalemate over whether to turn over ambulance service to the county, which in turn would put some ambulances in Lehigh and man them. The board voted two to two. Commissioner Julie Barrett, the fifth member of the board, who could have broken the tie was not at the meeting last week due to an illness.

Fire Chief Don Adams asked the board for direction and said that if Lehigh turned over ambulance assistance to the county, Fire Station 105 could reopen and more personnel could be put on fire trucks. He urged the board to take his recommendation in the wake of what he said was the upcoming fire season in Lehigh.

Commissioner Ralph Hemingway balked and said the people should have a right to meet and discuss the issue before giving up its ambulance service.

Richard Pringle, the board attorney, along with Board Chairman Jeff Berndt, met with county officials recently and county officials said they could add Lehigh to the duties of the county transport service for which Lehigh Acres taxpayers have been paying for in taxes in the millions. At one point near the end of October’s monthly meeting at Veterans Park Community Center, Commissioner Joel Guzman tried to convince Hemingway that if the department turned its transport service over to the county, then Station 5 could reopen.

It is located on Milwaukee Blvd., not far from the new East Lee County High School and a growing neighborhood of homes. It has been shut down because of the shortage of firefighters after the layoff.

Also joining Hemingway in his protest to not vote for the measure Wednesday was Commissioner Dave Adams. Both Commissioners Joel Guzman and Commissioner Jeff Berndt voted to let Lee County handle Lehigh calls.

“We’re in the high fire season is upon us. We need to get the ball rolling on this,” said Berndt.

Pringle said the response time for county ambulances to report to different areas of the county is a little less than nine minutes. He said that however was an average. That is because the county strategically stations ambulances in areas around the county, which would include Lehigh if the county were to take over the transport business.

Hemingway said people in Lehigh don’t want to lose their ambulance service and said that when he is in the grocery store, he hears it all the time from the people.

Guzman shot back: “Then Mr. Hemingway, where are the people tonight. They are not here.”

Only about a dozen people turned out for the meeting and most seemed to favor handing over the ambulance service temporarily to the county until financial conditions change.

In August, the chief laid off 37 firefighters in order to balance the new budget.

Several in the audience feared that firefighters would be in danger with less personnel on fire trucks if others were required to stay back to man ambulances.

After Guzman explained the situation to fellow commissioner Hemingway that Station 105 could be reopened, Hemingway did not change his mind.

Hemingway seemed not to understand that by moving ambulance service to the county that the Milwaukee Blvd. station could reopen with 30 days.

“You want me to make the motion again?” Guzman asked before the meeting ended.

Hemming nodded his head no and said he still wanted to give the people a chance to be heard.

Guzman noted that the issue has been talked about for the past six months at meetings.

After the meeting, Chief Don Adams, said he was disappointed.

“I had the safety of my firefighters in mind when I made the recommendation to the board,” he said.

“We are facing the fire season and I don’t want to see any of my people injured because of the lack of personnel on equipment,” he said. “We have had little rain and the area is very dry.”

The matter will not come up for a month from now when commissioners meet in November.

The chief said he hopes there are no serious brush fires between now and the next meeting when commissioners may reconsider their vote and Barrett is expected to be at the meeting so all five can vote and a decision made.

Chief Adams addressed the issue in a letter he sent out on Oct. 8. All the commissioners said they received the letter a few days afterwards, but Hemingway said he just received the letter a day or so ago, which brought laughter from the audience.

The letter can be read online at Lehighacrescitizen.com. Click on the pdf at the end of the online story.

Meanwhile, Kevin Shea of Lehigh, who brings an analysis to the board about incoming revenue, told commissioners that he saw a continuing downward spiral in real estate values next year.

“From all indications, the value of property will continue to decrease.

“I foresee a further 39 percent in decrease for next year. My numbers come from my inspections of the county records and the unemployment rates in the county and the number of foreclosures are yet to come,” he said.

“There’s a progressive decline. Roll up your sleeves and deal with harsh realities,” Shea said.

If the board votes at its next meeting to hand over ambulance transport to the county, it will also lose revenue, the money charged Lehigh users of ambulances.

The board passed a new health plan for its employees. The plan covers 92 people, including retires. Commissioner Ralph Hemingway voted against the motion.

Chief Adams also asked for permission to change the name of the position of the person who handles finances for the department. He said the person is leaving the department in December and he wanted to make the position as financial manager. He said he has advertised in the papers and is ready to interview applicants. The present financial person makes $55,000 a year with additional benefits.

The board asked the chief to work in the $55,0000 to $75,000 range and make sure the applicants understand there are beneficial benefits which are added to the salary offer.

“I have a problem about paying more to the new person if it is more than she (the present position holder) is making. The chief fought for a higher pay.

Commissioner David Adams also suggested that the chief try to pay less than the top figures that he had suggested.

The chief noted that the person hired would have to have college degrees. The present person has two master’s degrees. The position is now listed as a financial specialist.

Both Commissioners Joel Guzman and Jeff Berndt urged the chief to “push the package of benefits the person would receive, especially the Florida Retirement System.