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Hernando Today

Fire Ballot Sparks Lively Debate

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: October 15, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - With only 20 days left until the election, emotions are heating up in Spring Hill as voters prepare to cast a big vote on whether to keep their fire department under the rule of the county or make it independent.
Some of that passion showed up at Tuesday's county commission meeting when the morning comment period was largely taken up by Spring Hill residents who wanted assurances their fire trucks and equipment won't be taken away and that their fire service won't be dissolved.
It was County Attorney Garth Coller who candidly told them that the 10-page ordinance county commissioners signed off on earlier this year spells out exactly what will happen if the referendum is defeated.
Coller said the ordinance, in "crystal clear" language, states that if fire district independence is voted down, all the assets of the fire district stay with that taxing district but would be managed by the county.
That document, which includes the referendum language, was crafted with the input of Spring Hill fire officials.
"It's not only our word; it's the law," Coller said. "Anyone who says it's not clear, they're blowing smoke."
Several residents urged the county to give its side of the issue.
The county is in the process of doing just that. A position letter — more or less a condensed version of the ordinance — should be available this week explaining what would happen if voters vote "no."
Coller said county commissioners have purposely maintained a "hands-off approach" to avoid the perception of interfering with the vote.
Deputy County Administrator Larry Jennings said the issue is more about continued governance of the fire district rather than asset distribution.
If independence is voted down, oversight would switch from the five-person elected fire board to the county commissioners.
"The general public will not notice any difference," Assistant County Attorney Jon Jouben said. "Spring Hill Fire and Rescue will continue to exist. It will just be governed by the board of county commissioners instead of the fire commission."
Could the district someday be incorporated completely into the county?
That could happen by another county commission board, Coller said.
But this current board has made it clear it doesn't intend to shift operations and there are no plans at this time, he said.
Meanwhile, the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District will hold its second town hall meeting to discuss the referendum vote at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Knights of Columbus, 10470 Spring Hill Drive.

Also at Tuesday's commission meeting:

County Administrator David Hamilton said he plans to contact Sheriff Richard Nugent to continue negotiations about transferring the operation of the county's Emergency Management Department into the hands of the sheriff's office.
Hamilton is in the process of drafting a new organizational plan for the county, which may include other alternatives for the emergency management department, he said.
That plan is expected by the end of the month.
Residents can get a complimentary one-day bus pass today as part of the annual Commuter Choices Week. The goal is to encourage alternative modes of transportation for getting to work, including van pool, car pool, bicycling, walking and THE Bus.
To get the bus pass — good until the end of the day Friday — residents can stop by the downtown courthouse, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville from 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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