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Hernando Today

Vote Might Have Been Nonbinding

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: December 11, 2008

SPRING HILL - November's independence vote might or might not have been a straw vote.

In November, Spring Hill residents chose overwhelmingly to have their fire district independent from county control.

They might have to do it all over again, but the fire board attorney has asked the Legislature to decline a second vote.

"Will the vote go before the people again?" asked fire commissioner Rob Giammarco.

"I have asked that it not, but we might have to," said attorney Andrew Salzman.

State law requires a recommendation from voters for an independent district, approval by the Legislature and then a final vote by the people to approve independence and a millage rate.

Salzman and others hope November's vote was the final approval for independence.

Fire commissioner Amy Brosnan asked why she and the board were blindsided by the suggestion that November's vote was "nonbinding."

At which time Salzman replied, "I did."

Brosnan thought the board's attorney said a second vote would only come for a raise in the millage, or property tax rate.

"I thought I made it pretty clear the bill itself requires a second vote for (independence) and millage," Salzman said.

Giammarco said he asked the attorney that question months ago during an open meeting.

"I remember specifically pinning Mr. Salzman down on that," Giammarco said.

The switch to an independent fire district will come with a series of costs.

There is an entrance fee of $175. There is also the price tag to become a member of the Department of Community Affairs. A fee must also be paid to the Tax Collector's Office.

Someone must be hired to handle all of the district's new financial work - from payroll to accounts payable.

Currently, the county takes care of those duties on behalf of Spring Hill Fire Rescue - for a cost.

Chief Mike Rampino and Assistant Chief Bill Davies recently visited the fire department in Palm Harbor to get an up-and-close lesson about how an independent fire district is run.

"How do you feel about their financial situation, based on what you've seen and what we have here?" asked Giammarco.

"I think we will need someone to do the financial work, absolutely," Rampino said.

Until the issue is settled by the Legislature, Spring Hill Fire Rescue remains a "district in transition," Salzman said.

The county still handles its payroll, human resources and other administrative responsibilities, including oversight on the district's surplus funds.

Although Rampino said the county is prepared to cut its final payroll check in July, it assumes the district will be prepared to run independently by then.

"We are not going to be half-married (to the county)," said Rampino, recalling private meetings he has had with county administrators. "We will either be married or divorced."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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