While two members of the Board of Commissioners of the East County Water Control District get a free ride to reelection, it’s not the same story for the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District where two seats are being contested.

On the ECWCD, members David D. Deetscreek of 1708 Englewood Ave., the incumbent, has no opposition and will retain his seat in the Nov. 4 general election. It’s the same with Mike Bonacolta of 814 Shadyside St., also an incumbent. He also wins because there was no opposition in the race to take seats away from the incumbents when the cutoff to qualify for office came last month.

Linda Carter of 704 Homer St., an incumbent on the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District, met the deadline and announced she would seek reelection. She is facing William Liedtke of 201 Arthur Ave. in the fall election for Seat 2. Incumbent Jacqueline Danis of 639 Allison St. E., decided to run again. She is being challenged by Matt Smith of 1711 Maple Ave. N.

All four are non-partisan, according to election records from the Lee County Board of Election Supervisors. With no primary, the election will be decided in November.

The fire and rescue district challengers will be on the same ballot as the question asking residents if they want to finance the fire department through an assessment fee.

If defeated, Chief John Wayne and Fire Commission Chairman Larry Becker have said the department will have to drastically cut services including closing down at least two fire houses, laying off about 40 firefighters and the end of ambulance transport. That would not take effect until 2016. The 2014-15 fiscal year is being financed by taxpayers on the value of their property at $3 per $1,00 of evaluation by the country tax appraiser.

Voters are being asked to be assessed rather than pay an ad valorem tax rate on property value for the 2015-16 fiscal year. When the Great Recession hit, the value of homes plummeted and taxpayers were charged less tax and that revenue has not been enough to keep the district in good financial order. However, it has had saved money but according to officials, that fund is being dipped into to keep the fire department open.

Two Safer grants have brought federal money to Lehigh to pay for firefighters and a third Safer grant has been applied for but Wayne said he was not optimistic that the department would get a third federal grant.