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Consolidation could increase Redington Shores’ fire cost
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 |
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REDINGTON SHORES – The Redington Shores Town Commission agreed by consensus to renew its fire services contract with Seminole early, in hopes of thwarting a county consolidation plan.
The move came at Monday’s workshop meeting after Mayor Jody Armstrong said that County Commissioner Karen Seel “is encouraging Seminole to cancel its contract with the Redingtons without consulting us.” Armstrong added, “I am greatly offended by this.”
The contract cancellation is part of a plan that would place the Redingtons under the Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District, she said.
Under the current Seminole agreement, the town pays just under $200,000 a year for fire services. That figure would rise to $543,000 annually if Pinellas Suncoast takes over, Armstrong indicated.
Fire services are currently paid for out of the town’s budget. Pinellas Suncoast’s costs are paid for by an assessment on each household.
The Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District includes Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, and an unincorporated area on the mainland. Seminole Fire Rescue provides services beyond its own city for Redington Beach and North Redington Beach, in addition to Redington Shores.
Armstrong said she had met with the other mayors, who agreed the county’s plan is “an invasion of home rule.”
The contract with Seminole makes good sense economically because “the only added cost (to Seminole) is the cost of gas to go over the bridge,” Armstrong said.
When Commissioner Casey Wojcik questioned whether consolidation is a good way to save money, Town Attorney James Denhardt replied that Redington Shores was served by Pinellas Suncoast 10 years ago and wanted to double the rate. Denhardt also said that renewing the Seminole contract now “will at least tell the county that you have a legal contractual agreement with Seminole.” That 10-year contract is due to expire later this year.
Armstrong dismissed the county’s consolidation plan as “a redistribution of wealth scheme.”
The contract renewal will be formally voted on at the Jan. 14 regular commission meeting.
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Article published on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
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