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Hernando Today

Schenck Backtracks On Millage Cap

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: January 16, 2009

SPRING HILL - A millage cap of 2.75 would likely pass, said the state representative who decided last month to cut it.

His move to lower the Spring Hill Fire Rescue millage cap to 2.50 drew the ire of both fire commissioners and the public. They saw it as a sign of disrespect.

Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, merely saw it as a way to lessen the tax burden for residents. He also thought the fire commissioners were on board.

"I've set up a meeting with the fire chief and we will come to another consensus, which I thought we already had," said Schenck. "It's their fire district. At the end of the day, it's their call."

The attorney for the fire commissioners said during a meeting Wednesday it wasn't their call. The board drafted the bill, but it's up to the lawmakers how they want it written. Nonetheless, Schenck said he was willing to work with them.

He admitted he was surprised by the number of harsh comments.

"Before we made the change, the chief called and left messages with the fire commissioners," Schenck said. "None have called me since then and we're talking about nearly three weeks now."

In December, the board voted 5-0 on the proposed bill that would include a millage cap of 2.75. The current millage rate for Spring Hill homeowners is 2.2686.

One mill equals one dollar for every $1,000 worth of taxable property value.

Chief Mike Rampino said he was "very optimistic" heading into the meeting with Schenck next week. He doesn't foresee any trouble with raising the cap back to 2.75 before the bill goes to the Legislature.

If the bill passes, the district would be under the auspices of the state's Department of Community Affairs. The county no longer would have control.

In other district news:

• A 25-year veteran of the district is retiring in March.

Dana Panozzo, wife of fire commissioner Gene Panozzo, is a fire inspector and was hired by Spring Hill Fire Rescue in February 1983.

• Chief Rampino can drop the "interim" label from his title. The fire board made it official during a meeting Wednesday.

They agreed on a four-year "management agreement" that also includes a six-month severance package in case Rampino is let go "without cause."

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

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