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Consolidation could result in higher taxpayer cost
Article published on Thursday, March 16, 2006 |
Editor:
Thank you for running Mark Dotson’s report March 1. It is interesting to see that the consultant’s report did not talk of the efficiency of the financially strapped Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District, simply how much money could be saved by consolidation with other departments and/or transfer of coverage to others.
What is not mentioned in the report is that any such movement would result in taxpayers going from the present flat rate to property value taxation. Many present property owners would then find that they will pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more each year. Also, service by stations farther away also will delay response time, albeit only a matter of minutes, but to one in extremis, those minutes may mean the difference between life and death.
Overall, consolidation of municipalities, fire departments and police departments undoubtedly save money overall, but at what price?
Pinellas County has been interested in various consolidations during my 16 years in elective office. Generally, the people who pay the taxes have resisted as consolidation does not guarantee improvement in quality of service.
Bob McEwen
Indian Shores
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Article published on Thursday, March 16, 2006
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