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Deputy honored at chamber event

By Staff | Oct 8, 2014

Michael Truscott

Calling him a true asset to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and to the citizens of Lehigh Acres, Deputy Michael Truscott was honored by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce at its monthly luncheon last week.

Truscott was selected as Lee County Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Month for September 2014, said Chamber Director Inke Baker, who hosted the meeting at The Hut restaurant in Buckingham.

Lt. Paul Cummins on behalf of the East Zone Sheriff’s Office, presented the award as Deputy Truscott stood before the crowd with a big smile on his face.

During August, Truscott led the East District of the Sheriff’s Office in activity, Cummins said.

“Truscott conducted 76 traffic stops, 147 self-initiated calls for service, and nine physical arrests.

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Paul Cummins, left, makes the presentation of a plaque to Deputy Michael Truscott at the Lehigh luncheon last week.

Cummins said Truscott accomplished this feat while responding to an additional 273 dispatched calls and assisting his fellow deputies.

“Deputy Truscott has a professional attitude combined with an exceptional work ethic that drives him to make a positive difference in Lehigh Acres,” Cummins said.

During the chamber luncheon following the presentation, Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue Chief John Wayne made a comprehensive presentation regarding the proposed assessment fee that will be on the ballot on Nov. 4 when Lehigh voters will be asked to approve a new way of funding the fire department and its medical services through an assessment fee, rather than the present ad valorem tax that is set at the maximum of 3 mills and will continue until the budget year of 2015-2016.

Wayne was accompanied by Commission Chairman Larry Becker. The fire chief noted that the new proposed assessment fee would replace the present ad valorem tax.

“People should understand that this is not in addition to the ad valorem tax, but another way of funding the fire department,” Wayne said.

MEL TOADVINE Inke Baker introduces Lehigh Acres Fire Chief John Wayne who spoke before the Lehigh chamber’s luncheon addressing the proposed assessment fee which will be on the ballot on Nov. 4.

He noted the funding through ad valorem taxes had drastically dropped with the recession began in 2007 and 2008. He noted that concessions had been made over the years by the unions representing the firefighters and inside staffers and that the department was working on a tight budget. He also noted that the fire department may not be in operation as it is today had it not been for two SAFER grants which paid for salaries of laid off firefighters under the former fire chief.

He said the department is applying for a third SAFER grant and noted that present funding from SAFER keeps current employees paid up to May 15, 2015. If another SAFER grant is not awarded, those employees affected know they may lose their jobs.

He urged members to go online at: www.GetTheFacsLehigh.com for more information.

He also noted that exemptions would remain as they are now if the referendum is passed. But officially, the board must vote on that measure after the election if assessments are approved.

Wayne has spoken to other groups and plans more meetings. He said any organization that wants him to speak before the group to explain the proposed assessment fee should call him at the fire department.

The assessment fee would tax residential properties at a flat fee of $292. Vacant properties and commercial properties would also be assessed with a different formula.

J. Nathan Stout, a local CPA, told Wayne that his taxes on his properties would increase dramatically with the new assessment fee as he understood it. Wayne told Stout he would be glad to talk to him further and discuss the amounts.

Others are also invited to contact Wayne if they have questions about the proposed assessment fees.

One of the concerns listed by the fire district in a pamphlet they have distributed notes that a person may say they already pay for fire service on their property tax bill and can’t afford to pay an extra $292.

The answer listed is:

“FACT. $292 is all you will pay for the fire and rescue protection services for your residence. This may be more or less than what you are currently paying throughout property taxes, depending on your home’s value. The Fire Fee Assessment is an alternative to property taxes and is not an additional fee. It is a flat rate fee and replaces the property tax levy.”

Wayne noted that since 2008, call volume has increased 40 percent. If the district loses half of its firefighters on the street and closes two stations, response times are projected to double – from an average of 7.37 minutes now to 14 minutes or more. With medical and fire emergencies, minutes often mean lives.

The average response time in August, the latest reported information, was slightly lower and was reported at last week’s fire board meeting at an average response time between three shifts at 7.35 minutes.

Deputy honored at chamber event

By Staff | Oct 8, 2014

Michael Truscott

Calling him a true asset to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and to the citizens of Lehigh Acres, Deputy Michael Truscott was honored by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce at its monthly luncheon last week.

Truscott was selected as Lee County Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Month for September 2014, said Chamber Director Inke Baker, who hosted the meeting at The Hut restaurant in Buckingham.

Lt. Paul Cummins on behalf of the East Zone Sheriff’s Office, presented the award as Deputy Truscott stood before the crowd with a big smile on his face.

During August, Truscott led the East District of the Sheriff’s Office in activity, Cummins said.

“Truscott conducted 76 traffic stops, 147 self-initiated calls for service, and nine physical arrests.

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Paul Cummins, left, makes the presentation of a plaque to Deputy Michael Truscott at the Lehigh luncheon last week.

Cummins said Truscott accomplished this feat while responding to an additional 273 dispatched calls and assisting his fellow deputies.

“Deputy Truscott has a professional attitude combined with an exceptional work ethic that drives him to make a positive difference in Lehigh Acres,” Cummins said.

During the chamber luncheon following the presentation, Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue Chief John Wayne made a comprehensive presentation regarding the proposed assessment fee that will be on the ballot on Nov. 4 when Lehigh voters will be asked to approve a new way of funding the fire department and its medical services through an assessment fee, rather than the present ad valorem tax that is set at the maximum of 3 mills and will continue until the budget year of 2015-2016.

Wayne was accompanied by Commission Chairman Larry Becker. The fire chief noted that the new proposed assessment fee would replace the present ad valorem tax.

“People should understand that this is not in addition to the ad valorem tax, but another way of funding the fire department,” Wayne said.

MEL TOADVINE Inke Baker introduces Lehigh Acres Fire Chief John Wayne who spoke before the Lehigh chamber’s luncheon addressing the proposed assessment fee which will be on the ballot on Nov. 4.

He noted the funding through ad valorem taxes had drastically dropped with the recession began in 2007 and 2008. He noted that concessions had been made over the years by the unions representing the firefighters and inside staffers and that the department was working on a tight budget. He also noted that the fire department may not be in operation as it is today had it not been for two SAFER grants which paid for salaries of laid off firefighters under the former fire chief.

He said the department is applying for a third SAFER grant and noted that present funding from SAFER keeps current employees paid up to May 15, 2015. If another SAFER grant is not awarded, those employees affected know they may lose their jobs.

He urged members to go online at: www.GetTheFacsLehigh.com for more information.

He also noted that exemptions would remain as they are now if the referendum is passed. But officially, the board must vote on that measure after the election if assessments are approved.

Wayne has spoken to other groups and plans more meetings. He said any organization that wants him to speak before the group to explain the proposed assessment fee should call him at the fire department.

The assessment fee would tax residential properties at a flat fee of $292. Vacant properties and commercial properties would also be assessed with a different formula.

J. Nathan Stout, a local CPA, told Wayne that his taxes on his properties would increase dramatically with the new assessment fee as he understood it. Wayne told Stout he would be glad to talk to him further and discuss the amounts.

Others are also invited to contact Wayne if they have questions about the proposed assessment fees.

One of the concerns listed by the fire district in a pamphlet they have distributed notes that a person may say they already pay for fire service on their property tax bill and can’t afford to pay an extra $292.

The answer listed is:

“FACT. $292 is all you will pay for the fire and rescue protection services for your residence. This may be more or less than what you are currently paying throughout property taxes, depending on your home’s value. The Fire Fee Assessment is an alternative to property taxes and is not an additional fee. It is a flat rate fee and replaces the property tax levy.”

Wayne noted that since 2008, call volume has increased 40 percent. If the district loses half of its firefighters on the street and closes two stations, response times are projected to double – from an average of 7.37 minutes now to 14 minutes or more. With medical and fire emergencies, minutes often mean lives.

The average response time in August, the latest reported information, was slightly lower and was reported at last week’s fire board meeting at an average response time between three shifts at 7.35 minutes.