Lehigh voters agreed Tuesday to change how properties within the Lehigh Acres Fire Control District are assessed, resulting in a tax decrease for the owners of improved properties, a big increase for lot owners, and an overall boost in revenue for the district.

Voters within the taxing district narrowly approved a referendum to replace the current demand-based assessment with what officials call a simplified fire methodology. Under the now voter-approved methodology, property owners will pay an annual assessment of $162 per parcel plus $.93 per $1,000 of the assessed valuation of improvements to the lot, such as a house or shed.

The vote was 51.26 percent, or 5,639 votes, in favor; 48.74 percent, or 5,362 votes, against.

The district will see a revenue increase of $7,331,751, or 42 percent, the first year.

District officials hailed the vote which they say will allow the district to make much-needed capital improvements, including a new fire station.

“I am grateful that the residents of our District recognized the value of the emergency fire, rescue, and other services provided by our department,” said Chief Robert DiLallo in a prepared statement. “Through their approval of this referendum, they are recognizing our need for growth so that we may continue to provide and improve upon our service to this expanding community. We plan to begin implementation of the goals for future-planning outlined on our website, most immediate of which is the construction of Station 106.”

District officials have said the change would allow them to set aside funds over the next 10-12 years to fund, finance, build, equip and staff four to six new fire stations as well as reduce EMS response time.

According to the district website, there are 88,127 vacant, or unimproved, lots within the district. Under the old assessment methodology, property owners were charged $25 per lot. The assessment will increase to $162 under the new voter-approved methodology.

There are 36,949 improved residential properties. Under the new assessment methodology, those property owners will now pay $162 plus the $.93 per $1,000 for improvements. This will lead to lower assessment fees for 80 percent homeowners, district officials have said.

According to the district website, “for 2019/20, the district will receive approximately $17,254,037 through the existing demand-based (GSG) method of assessment from all eligible parcels.” Under the simplified method, the projected net revenue from fire assessments will be approximately $24,585,788.

According to the Lehigh Acres Lot Owners Association, Inc, which called the new methodology “unlawful, unfair, unreasonable” as it “disproportionately burdened” lot owners, the contribution from those property owners collectively will increase from $2,250,000 to $14,580,000.

An additional public hearing will be held in September regarding the change. The meeting will noticed via publication with an individually mailed notice sent to every parcel owner.

Information on the Simplified Fire methodology is available on the district website at https://www.lehighfd.com/administration/page/proposed-simplified-fire-district-assessment-information-page.