Lehigh voters have rejected a proposed change in how properties within the the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District are assessed to pay for services.

The special referendum failed with 55.4 percent of those casting a ballot voting “no.”

Voter turnout was 6.68 percent with 3,417 voters of the 51,117 registered casting a ballot.

If passed, the proposed simplified fee structure would have assessed a base fee of $165 per year on every parcel; plus a $1 per $1,000 of value of improvements thereon using property appraiser data.

Presently, all lots with buildings pay $332.15, irrelevant of the value of the structure.Vacant lot owners pay $25.29 per lot.