Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Lake Worth Fire Rescue Proposal

Folks, we have had our own fire department for nearly 100 years other than the two years we have been with Palm Beach County when a former commission made the wrong decision and shuffled us off to PBCounty giving away all of our assets. Now the political spin is, we as a city can't do it as well with our own fire department again. Who says? Tom Ramiccio? Lisa Maxwell? Why do people want to keep giving away our city to the county?

Rachel Waterman wants to properly fund our fire department and will ensure that happens. With Waterman, we will be able to make the right decision on staying with PB County or having our own Lake Worth Fire Department.

Fire Rescue Proposal

The City wants to re-assume direct responsibility for collective bargaining for pension benefits for all Fire personnel receiving a Lake Worth pension benefit. It wants to have a special assessment levied for fire. It wants to take back our fire house and have control.
In summary, the proposal would:
  • Change the agreement between the City of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County to a more traditional contract for fire/rescue services
  • Eliminate the Fire Rescue MSTU millage on City property
  • Establish the FY 2009 Supplemental payments as the base for future years
  • Establish an annual contract amount payable by the City to the County for fire/rescue services based on the value of City properties
  • Create an equitable formula to adjust the contract amount annually based on the percentage change in the Fire Rescue operating budget excluding reserves and transfers

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