Mohamad Yasin

Members of the Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District got several tongue lashings and even a plea to do something before a final vote to pass a $23.7 million budget last week. One of those was Mohamad Yasin, a middle high school teacher in Lehigh, who pointed his fingers at the board of five commissioners and said they were not doing their job.

He was joined by others such as Frank Hemmingway, a former commissioner, Cathy Kruse, a school teacher, and Robert Anderson, who made a plea to them for help.

According to Florida statute, the commissioners had to vote a last time on a millage rate of 3 mills, which received a full approval vote of the five members, and then the passage of the final budget with a vote of 3 to 2, with Commissioners Linda Carter and Kevin Shea voting no.

That left Commissioners David Adams, Larry Becker and Jeff Berndt voting yes for the final budget.Commissioner Larry Becker said the board was locked into obligations it had to meet.

“They are legal obligations and we cannot change them” he said. Chairman Jeff Berndt and Commissioner David Adams agreed but said there was no other choice.

Berndt appeared irritated at some of his fellow commissioners when he noted they have offered no solutions to help solve the money problems facing the department.

Less than a year from now, at least 47, and it could be more, firefighters will lose their jobs because the Safer Grant which has paid their salaries for two years will have run out.

And Chief Don Adams said no announcement has been made by the federal government’s FEMA program about new Safer grants. Adams said the department would file for help whenever and if grants are made available again.

Lehigh received one of the largest grants and some don’t believe the local fire department will receive more help in August of 2012 when the grant runs out. Several firefighters, being paid by Safer funds, have left since the grant came to be, but according to Safer grant requirements, those firefighters had to be replaced.

There were actually two meetings on Thursday, Sept. 22, a regular monthly meeting that started at 4 p.m. and adjourned before 5:30 p.m., at which time a second legally required second meeting was called to order only to make final by law the millage rate and the passage or rejection of the budget.

The meeting was held in the conference room of the Microtel Inn & Suites on Broadway. Some 25 people attended the meeting, the vast majority being firefighters themselves.

Earlier in the first part of the meeting, Commissioner Becker said he had discussed assessment fees with legislators. The topic of assessing landholders has been suggested before but has never gained the support of the fire board, nor the public, according to polls about putting it on the ballot. If it was to be put on the ballot for this coming November, it would cost the fire district a lot of money.

However, it could be put on the ballot in 2012 during a “regular” election.

“I went on the road and talked to Rep. Caldwell, State Sen. Benaquisto, State Sen. Bennett Bennett, County Commissioners Ray Judah and Frank Mann and they won’t support any type of vote by the people they want their jobs .”We should put a program together. I will help,” Becker said.

Commissioner Carter said, “Everybody should pay an equal amount. If we do some planning, we can do it. I want to see it go; we have to educate the community.”

The topic of “educating the community” comes up over and over again at meetings when assessments are discussed, but no plans are ever made to come up with some type of education plan to date.

Commissioner David Adams also said he had talked to State Rep. Caldwell, who represents Lehigh and asked him why can’t the fire district be able to legislatively get away from ad valorem taxes and raise money like the East County Water Control District which uses assessment fees, according to the size of the land.

“Mr. Caldwell said he would meet before our board if we asked him to,” Adams said. The chief was asked to get in touch with Caldwell for a future meeting.

At the first meeting, the board agreed to raise ambulance transport fees to match those at the Fort Myers Beach Fire District. The vote was 4 to 1 with Commissioner Shea voting against hiking fees.

When the public had an opportunity to speak, Cathy Kruse said the fire district needed a vision.

“What kind of service are you going to offer this community?” she asked. “Give us a picture of the department down the road.”

Mohamed Yasin in a voice sounding like he was lecturing the board told them to “live within your means.”

“Maybe we don’t need unions and their high paid salaries,” he said.

And Robert Anderson, a past critic of operations at the department, stood before them and made a plea.”Just do something. Do something,” he said.

Even David King, the board’s parliamentarian, told the board the department was facing “an estimated 40 percent loss of your employees. I don’t see a clean way to dig your way out (of your financial problems.)”

Before final adjournment, Chairman Berndt called for the legally required final vote on the budget again. Shea voted no, saying it was time “to rethink” reorganizing.

Carter voted no and said the budget was “lopsided,” something the commissioner has said over and over before.

Becker voted for the budget, “because of our obligations to cover the costs.”

David Adams voted yes and said, “Did I miss something?”

Chairman Berndt said he was still “struggling,” and had concerns.”

“Folks (on the board) want input; they okay the millage rate, we’re in negotiations (with the unions) and now then here at the end . It’s disingenuous or a lack of understanding,” he said.

He cast the deciding vote as yes for budget passage. The budget can be viewed by readers by going online at www.lehighfd.com/ and follow the links.