Governor signs Spring Hill fire district's independence bill

Gov. Charlie Crist made Spring Hill Fire Rescue's independence official Thursday when he signed the bill into law.
House Bill 1147 was approved by the governor at 3:22 p.m., according to the Florida House of Representatives Web site.
The bill creates a special fire and rescue district, sets boundaries and allows for a board of elected commissioners.
Previously the district remained under country control.
As stated in the bill, the fire board sets ad valorem taxation, user charges, impact fees and special assessments.
In the bill, the millage cap was set at 2.50. The district's current millage rate is 2.2686.
One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in taxable property value.
Spring Hill residents voted in November 2008 to approve a bill that would create an independent fire district.