Public Hearing - Walton County Sheriff’s Office Update on Fire Assessment
You are hereby notified that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 immediately following the Regular Scheduled Board meeting at 9:00 a.m. or soon thereafter. The meeting will take place at the Walton County Courthouse located at 571 US Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs, FL.
The purpose of this meeting is to hear an update from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and discuss the fire assessment.
Replies
38
Beach Fanatic
Public Hearing - Walton County Sheriff’s Office Update on Fire AssessmentDanny, any idea what the discussion will be about the fire assessment?
You are hereby notified that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 immediately following the Regular Scheduled Board meeting at 9:00 a.m. or soon thereafter. The meeting will take place at the Walton County Courthouse located at 571 US Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs, FL.
The purpose of this meeting is to hear an update from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and discuss the fire assessment.
Beach Fanatic
Raising the assessment by about 500%
Beach Fanatic
Raising the assessment by about 500%OK, seems I asked about that at one Commission meeting and it was explained then, because there were people who could not pay it. Is this the Sheriff's ask? Also that would max the allowable rate to $375, correct?
Beach FanaticAuthor
There are several issues Bob Wells that could be discussed. Here is a letter to the editor I sent to the Herald that is an overview:
One of the most critical issues currently impacting North Walton citizens is our fire and EMS service: what level of service do we need, how will we pay for it and who will manage it. North Walton citizens need to plan to attend the BCC meeting April 25th at 9am in the courthouse at DeFuniak Springs to make the commissioners aware of their desires and needs.
The level of service needed is the first and most important question to be decided. While everyone would like a fire and EMS station next door, the truth is that fire and EMS services are very expensive. Large areas of the North end are several miles away from the nearest fire station and most homes are not close to a fire hydrant. So, the truth is that for many North end residents the fire department can only put the remains out and have almost no chance of saving a structure. To increase this level of service would require building more stations and hiring more employees. One estimate is that an additional 55 employees would be needed to cover every area and those new employees would require a doubling of the current budget of 5 million dollars.
North Walton homeowners currently pay an MSBTU tax of $75 dollars per residence to fund the fire service. This tax provides approximately $970,000 of the current 5-million-dollar budget. The estimate is that the MSBTU tax would have to be increased 5 times on each residence to fully fund the current budget, not counting the proposed increases needed to provide better coverage. Other proposals are to enact a ½ cent sales tax to fund the fire service or to form an independent fire district such as South Walton, Argyle and Liberty with the ability to levy its own taxes.
Finally, who manages the fire service is being discussed. Currently the department is operated by the BCC with a Fire Chief subordinate to the County Administrator. There is a proposal to turn management over to the Sheriff’s Office. The stated purpose of this change is to improve management and services; however, no clear statement has been provided outlining how the Sheriff can accomplish these goals nor how he will pay for any improvements. The funds must still come from the taxpayers through the BCC and the public would have limited input into the issues that arise. Another reason for pause is that the cost of transferring management from the BCC to the Sheriff has not been provided but would undoubtedly be in the hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars. And a new sheriff sometime in the future would not be required to continue managing this operation which would necessitate another huge expenditure to transfer operational control back to the BCC.
Many North Walton residents are senior citizens or have low to moderate income and cannot afford a 500% increase in their taxes. It would especially onerous to raise taxes whatsoever if the level of service does not rise to give the property owner a reasonable chance of having their property saved in case of a fire. Further, North Walton is predominately rural and the population densities do not produce large numbers of calls for service. The entire North end produces less than one call per hour. These numbers do not justify huge tax increases that will be a horrible burden on those in our community who can least afford to bear it.
In response to this complex and vital issue the Walton County Taxpayers Association has went on record requesting a professional, independent study to provide commissioners with all the information necessary to make an informed decision that is in the best interests of the citizens of North Walton County.
One of the most critical issues currently impacting North Walton citizens is our fire and EMS service: what level of service do we need, how will we pay for it and who will manage it. North Walton citizens need to plan to attend the BCC meeting April 25th at 9am in the courthouse at DeFuniak Springs to make the commissioners aware of their desires and needs.
The level of service needed is the first and most important question to be decided. While everyone would like a fire and EMS station next door, the truth is that fire and EMS services are very expensive. Large areas of the North end are several miles away from the nearest fire station and most homes are not close to a fire hydrant. So, the truth is that for many North end residents the fire department can only put the remains out and have almost no chance of saving a structure. To increase this level of service would require building more stations and hiring more employees. One estimate is that an additional 55 employees would be needed to cover every area and those new employees would require a doubling of the current budget of 5 million dollars.
North Walton homeowners currently pay an MSBTU tax of $75 dollars per residence to fund the fire service. This tax provides approximately $970,000 of the current 5-million-dollar budget. The estimate is that the MSBTU tax would have to be increased 5 times on each residence to fully fund the current budget, not counting the proposed increases needed to provide better coverage. Other proposals are to enact a ½ cent sales tax to fund the fire service or to form an independent fire district such as South Walton, Argyle and Liberty with the ability to levy its own taxes.
Finally, who manages the fire service is being discussed. Currently the department is operated by the BCC with a Fire Chief subordinate to the County Administrator. There is a proposal to turn management over to the Sheriff’s Office. The stated purpose of this change is to improve management and services; however, no clear statement has been provided outlining how the Sheriff can accomplish these goals nor how he will pay for any improvements. The funds must still come from the taxpayers through the BCC and the public would have limited input into the issues that arise. Another reason for pause is that the cost of transferring management from the BCC to the Sheriff has not been provided but would undoubtedly be in the hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars. And a new sheriff sometime in the future would not be required to continue managing this operation which would necessitate another huge expenditure to transfer operational control back to the BCC.
Many North Walton residents are senior citizens or have low to moderate income and cannot afford a 500% increase in their taxes. It would especially onerous to raise taxes whatsoever if the level of service does not rise to give the property owner a reasonable chance of having their property saved in case of a fire. Further, North Walton is predominately rural and the population densities do not produce large numbers of calls for service. The entire North end produces less than one call per hour. These numbers do not justify huge tax increases that will be a horrible burden on those in our community who can least afford to bear it.
In response to this complex and vital issue the Walton County Taxpayers Association has went on record requesting a professional, independent study to provide commissioners with all the information necessary to make an informed decision that is in the best interests of the citizens of North Walton County.
Beach Fanatic
Thank you Danny for your thoughts. I have a few questions that maybe you could answer.
1. Are you saying the total budget for fire/ ems is only 5 million dollars or is that just for the fire service portion?
2. How much is ems collecting for their service and where is that money going? Is it going into the general fund or back into the ems budget or is it used to offset the cost to the general fund?
3. How much if #1 above is just fire is the ems budget?
4. Is this the Sheriff's ask?
As a side note, I do like the idea of a 1/2 cent sales tax but I am not sure that would come near to offsetting the ad valorem portion if only North Walton was the only collection site?
1. Are you saying the total budget for fire/ ems is only 5 million dollars or is that just for the fire service portion?
2. How much is ems collecting for their service and where is that money going? Is it going into the general fund or back into the ems budget or is it used to offset the cost to the general fund?
3. How much if #1 above is just fire is the ems budget?
4. Is this the Sheriff's ask?
As a side note, I do like the idea of a 1/2 cent sales tax but I am not sure that would come near to offsetting the ad valorem portion if only North Walton was the only collection site?
Beach Fanatic
1. The number Danny quoted is only the Salaries & Overtime budget lines. Does not include benefits or retirement. The total budget for 2016 - 2017 is about 11.2 million.
2. EMS collected about 1.4 million in fees and is revenue to the Fire District fund.
3. They do not split Fire & EMS into separate budgets.
4. It was discussed in the SWOT study (I was a member of the committee) that they needed 55 additional staff (including some administrative positions) plus equipment needs totaling about 4.5 to 5 million per year.
5. You cannot set a millage rate for a portion of a county. They could create a Independent Fire district in the North but it would need to generate about 16 million dollars with a taxable property value of about 1.6 billion dollars. That would translate to a millage rate of about 10 mills. That's about 3.3 times the current county wide millage rate and only be paid by those in the NWFD boundaries
2. EMS collected about 1.4 million in fees and is revenue to the Fire District fund.
3. They do not split Fire & EMS into separate budgets.
4. It was discussed in the SWOT study (I was a member of the committee) that they needed 55 additional staff (including some administrative positions) plus equipment needs totaling about 4.5 to 5 million per year.
5. You cannot set a millage rate for a portion of a county. They could create a Independent Fire district in the North but it would need to generate about 16 million dollars with a taxable property value of about 1.6 billion dollars. That would translate to a millage rate of about 10 mills. That's about 3.3 times the current county wide millage rate and only be paid by those in the NWFD boundaries
Beach Fanatic
1. The number Danny quoted is only the Salaries & Overtime budget lines. Does not include benefits or retirement. The total budget for 2016 - 2017 is about 11.2 million.
2. EMS collected about 1.4 million in fees and is revenue to the Fire District fund.
3. They do not split Fire & EMS into separate budgets.
4. It was discussed in the SWOT study (I was a member of the committee) that they needed 55 additional staff (including some administrative positions) plus equipment needs totaling about 4.5 to 5 million per year.
5. You cannot set a millage rate for a portion of a county. They could create a Independent Fire district in the North but it would need to generate about 16 million dollars with a taxable property value of about 1.6 billion dollars. That would translate to a millage rate of about 10 mills. That's about 3.3 times the current county wide millage rate and only be paid by those in the NWFD boundaries
Thank you Bob. That helps a lot. Was this a Sheriff's ask with regards to a look at the assessment?
Beach Fanatic
Yes
Beach FanaticAuthor
Thank you Bob for answering Bob's questions. There does not seem to be a realistic, feasible funding stream that will satisfy the millions needed.
Beach Fanatic
Thank you Danny and Bob for the information.
Beach Fanatic
This is the position taken & presented to the BCC concerning North Walton Fire.
WCTA POSITION
The issues surrounding North Walton Fire Rescue extend well beyond the narrow question of whether oversight should be transferred from the BCC to the Sheriff’s Office. These issues warrant expert analysis and trade studies including:
1. Level of service desired by parties currently served by North Walton Fire Rescue.
2. Appropriate organizational structure to most cost effectively deliver the desired level of service.
3. Resources required to provide the level of service desired.
4. Source(s) of funding to provide resources adequate to deliver the level of service desired.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Walton County Taxpayers Association recommends the County engage a professional, experienced contractor with the qualifications and expertise required to:
1. Survey concerned parties via interviews and public workshops to define options for level of service desired and develop estimates of the annual cost of service options.
2. Develop a range of options for organizational structure and oversight to include at a minimum the current structure, transfer to the Sheriff’s Office, an Independent Fire District, and a return to a Volunteer service or Volunteer/Professional hybrid.
3. Prepare detailed cost estimates for service options and generate options for funding.
4. Analyze options and prepare a trade study to rank options based on Level of service (including response time) and annual cost of service option.
WCTA POSITION
The issues surrounding North Walton Fire Rescue extend well beyond the narrow question of whether oversight should be transferred from the BCC to the Sheriff’s Office. These issues warrant expert analysis and trade studies including:
1. Level of service desired by parties currently served by North Walton Fire Rescue.
2. Appropriate organizational structure to most cost effectively deliver the desired level of service.
3. Resources required to provide the level of service desired.
4. Source(s) of funding to provide resources adequate to deliver the level of service desired.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Walton County Taxpayers Association recommends the County engage a professional, experienced contractor with the qualifications and expertise required to:
1. Survey concerned parties via interviews and public workshops to define options for level of service desired and develop estimates of the annual cost of service options.
2. Develop a range of options for organizational structure and oversight to include at a minimum the current structure, transfer to the Sheriff’s Office, an Independent Fire District, and a return to a Volunteer service or Volunteer/Professional hybrid.
3. Prepare detailed cost estimates for service options and generate options for funding.
4. Analyze options and prepare a trade study to rank options based on Level of service (including response time) and annual cost of service option.
Beach Fanatic
I understand the position of the WCTA however, North Walton County deserves a level of PROFESSIONAL SERVICE that the BCC is simply unable to provide. They can't do their own jobs let alone manage fire services as proven with the County jail.
Beach Fanatic
The position of the WCTA is that the residents of North Walton should determine the level of service they desire at a cost that they can support.
Unless the Sheriff has a "money tree" that he has not previously disclosed that can fund the people & equipment that the fire fighters say need, then a viable funding source must be identified.
Are you will to pay 500 % more - that's 385.00 per home rather than the $75 you pay today?
Unless the Sheriff has a "money tree" that he has not previously disclosed that can fund the people & equipment that the fire fighters say need, then a viable funding source must be identified.
Are you will to pay 500 % more - that's 385.00 per home rather than the $75 you pay today?
Edited
Beach Fanatic
The position of the WCTA is that the residents of North Walton should determine the level of service they desire at a cost that they can support.
Unless the Sheriff has a "money tree" that he has not previously disclosed that can fund the people & equipment that the fire fighters say need, then a viable funding source must be identified.
Are you will to pay 500 % more - that's 385.00 per home rather than the $75 you pay today?
Viable funding source...well, lets see, perhaps if the County stopped getting sued costing the taxpayers millions, they could actually afford to do something for the taxpayers. I realize there is no profit in that as there has been for them with developers, but its a thought.
Beach Fanatic
The position of the WCTA is that the residents of North Walton should determine the level of service they desire at a cost that they can support.To be fair Bob, I am more than willing to pay that. Unfortunately I thought the Sheriff said this wasn't about money and the Commissioners gave every indication in the past that increasing the fire fee wasn't an option. I also believe you made the statement in a Commission meeting that this was certainly about money. I have made it clear through my statements that more money is the only fix. But I do believe your analysis is correct, if the County continues the current budget and increases the fire fee it should get them close if I read it correctly. Basically $1.06 a day.
Unless the Sheriff has a "money tree" that he has not previously disclosed that can fund the people & equipment that the fire fighters say need, then a viable funding source must be identified.
Are you will to pay 500 % more - that's 385.00 per home rather than the $75 you pay today?
Beach Fanatic
To be fair Bob, I am more than willing to pay that. Unfortunately I thought the Sheriff said this wasn't about money and the Commissioners gave every indication in the past that increasing the fire fee wasn't an option. I also believe you made the statement in a Commission meeting that this was certainly about money. I have made it clear through my statements that more money is the only fix. But I do believe your analysis is correct, if the County continues the current budget and increases the fire fee it should get them close if I read it correctly. Basically $1.06 a day.
Famous last words - "Unfortunately I thought the Sheriff said this wasn't about money"
It's always about the $ with the sheriff. Just go ask about the new Major (I think he's the 5th or 6th one in two terms out of Tally).
He's $100k+ man.
We have a lot of our men and women up there that are far better suited for that job.
Why another State guy out of Tally?
Beach Fanatic
Famous last words - "Unfortunately I thought the Sheriff said this wasn't about money"Who is 100k man? The Sheriff?
It's always about the $ with the sheriff. Just go ask about the new Major (I think he's the 5th or 6th one in two terms out of Tally).
He's $100k+ man.
We have a lot of our men and women up there that are far better suited for that job.
Why another State guy out of Tally?
Beach Fanatic
Who is 100k man? The Sheriff?
The NEW #2 Guy up there.
Ex-State LEO, now WCSO Major with a salary of over $100K.
Beach Fanatic
The NEW #2 Guy up there.Ok
Ex-State LEO, now WCSO Major with a salary of over $100K.
Beach Fanatic
Walton County Facilities Maintenance Department Making Large Strides in Fire Station Improvements
Currently, the County is in the process of completing a number of repairs/renovations to several fire stations across the County.
In September of 2016, the BCC approved a request by Walton County Fire Rescue Chief Bobby Martin for the allocation of $57,000 to conduct much needed renovations to the older stations in Freeport and Paxton. Following that request, the BCC also allocated an additional almost $74,000 in January 2017 for minor renovations that were needed at other stations throughout the County. In all, the BCC approved approximately $131,000 for renovations over five months.
In March, Walton County Facilities Maintenance crews began countywide renovations with the largest being conducted at the Freeport and Paxton stations. Additionally, minor renovations are to be made to the Walton County Fire Rescue facilities in Gaskin, DeFuniak Springs, Windswept, Glendale, Redbay, Choctaw Beach and Mossy Head.
The Freeport Fire Station is in process of receiving a large scale renovation of the building. The renovation is slated to cost approximately $46,500. This new renovation will include the redesign and rebuild of the second floor which will now contain firefighter living quarters, a workout Room, bathrooms and increased storage. Repairs and smaller renovations will be made including new flooring, HVAC work, plumbing, painting and spray foam insulation. In addition, renovations to the first floor will allow the department to consolidate the stand alone EMS station with the fire station by updating bedrooms and the buildings common area.
The fire station in Paxton is also under a large renovation project. The main renovation being conducted is the framing, siding, sheetrock and trim for new living quarters. Also, the building will see walkways built between buildings, carpet replacement, painting and electrical upgrades. The renovations are estimated to cost $16,000.
In addition these two large renovations, work will be done on an additional seven stations and two EMS buildings throughout the County. While not all locations will see the same types of repairs, renovations will include cleaning, internal and external painting, carpet replacement, door replacement, roof repairs and upgrades to plumbing and HVAC systems.
Up until 2003, Walton County fire services were all provided by volunteer fire departments countywide. At that time, the County ran the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program that served the County. Beginning in 2003, Walton County transitioned from volunteer services to paid professional firefighters. As part of that transition, the County took operation of several of the volunteer fire departments and consolidated them with the current EMS services in what is now knows as Walton County Fire Rescue.
While many of the volunteer fire departments became part of Fire Rescue, there were others that wished to remain independent including Liberty Fire, Argyle Fire and South Walton Fire. Additionally, the cities of DeFuniak Springs and Freeport ran their own city fire service.
In 2014, discussion began concerning the transfer of the Freeport Fire Department to Walton County Fire rescue. After many public hearings and board meetings, the City of Freeport and the Walton County BCC came to terms and the County official took over operations of the Freeport Fire Station in January of 2015. Along with that agreement, the County was given possession of the Freeport Fire Stations facilities and the City retained ownership of the fire engines and vehicles.
Currently, the County is in the process of completing a number of repairs/renovations to several fire stations across the County.
In September of 2016, the BCC approved a request by Walton County Fire Rescue Chief Bobby Martin for the allocation of $57,000 to conduct much needed renovations to the older stations in Freeport and Paxton. Following that request, the BCC also allocated an additional almost $74,000 in January 2017 for minor renovations that were needed at other stations throughout the County. In all, the BCC approved approximately $131,000 for renovations over five months.
In March, Walton County Facilities Maintenance crews began countywide renovations with the largest being conducted at the Freeport and Paxton stations. Additionally, minor renovations are to be made to the Walton County Fire Rescue facilities in Gaskin, DeFuniak Springs, Windswept, Glendale, Redbay, Choctaw Beach and Mossy Head.
The Freeport Fire Station is in process of receiving a large scale renovation of the building. The renovation is slated to cost approximately $46,500. This new renovation will include the redesign and rebuild of the second floor which will now contain firefighter living quarters, a workout Room, bathrooms and increased storage. Repairs and smaller renovations will be made including new flooring, HVAC work, plumbing, painting and spray foam insulation. In addition, renovations to the first floor will allow the department to consolidate the stand alone EMS station with the fire station by updating bedrooms and the buildings common area.
The fire station in Paxton is also under a large renovation project. The main renovation being conducted is the framing, siding, sheetrock and trim for new living quarters. Also, the building will see walkways built between buildings, carpet replacement, painting and electrical upgrades. The renovations are estimated to cost $16,000.
In addition these two large renovations, work will be done on an additional seven stations and two EMS buildings throughout the County. While not all locations will see the same types of repairs, renovations will include cleaning, internal and external painting, carpet replacement, door replacement, roof repairs and upgrades to plumbing and HVAC systems.
Up until 2003, Walton County fire services were all provided by volunteer fire departments countywide. At that time, the County ran the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program that served the County. Beginning in 2003, Walton County transitioned from volunteer services to paid professional firefighters. As part of that transition, the County took operation of several of the volunteer fire departments and consolidated them with the current EMS services in what is now knows as Walton County Fire Rescue.
While many of the volunteer fire departments became part of Fire Rescue, there were others that wished to remain independent including Liberty Fire, Argyle Fire and South Walton Fire. Additionally, the cities of DeFuniak Springs and Freeport ran their own city fire service.
In 2014, discussion began concerning the transfer of the Freeport Fire Department to Walton County Fire rescue. After many public hearings and board meetings, the City of Freeport and the Walton County BCC came to terms and the County official took over operations of the Freeport Fire Station in January of 2015. Along with that agreement, the County was given possession of the Freeport Fire Stations facilities and the City retained ownership of the fire engines and vehicles.
Beach Fanatic
This is just a hunch on my part but chances are, conditions would never have gotten as bad as they were if the BCC had taken an active stance in maintaining those stations.
Again, if they weren't so busy defending themselves against lawsuits they should never have gotten us into and actually spent the money they have wasted on them in addressing the issues, firefighters would have had better conditions long ago.
I don't know how much equipment a couple million would buy but I'll hazard a guess this conversation wouldn't exist.
This band aid approach isn't safe nor is it conducive to professional fire/ems services for NoWal.
Again, if they weren't so busy defending themselves against lawsuits they should never have gotten us into and actually spent the money they have wasted on them in addressing the issues, firefighters would have had better conditions long ago.
I don't know how much equipment a couple million would buy but I'll hazard a guess this conversation wouldn't exist.
This band aid approach isn't safe nor is it conducive to professional fire/ems services for NoWal.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Fire study concerns expressed
Wednesday
Posted Apr 5, 2017 at 2:51 PMUpdated Apr 5, 2017 at 2:51 PM
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By DEBORAH WHEELER
During last week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Walton County Commissioners heard an update and concerns expressed about the proposed transfer of North Walton Fire District to the sheriff’s control.
The proposal was originally brought up by District 3 Commissioner Melanie Nipper proposed in December 2016 that the Walton County Sheriff’s Office take over the management of the North Bay Fire District. The issue has been under study by staff since that time.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Joe Preston told commissioners that the study was 95 percent complete and he was seeking direction from commissioners on the next step to take.
Walton County Tax Payers Association President Danny Glidewell told commissioners that the Tax Payers Association Board of Directors met to discuss the issue and requested the county do a feasibility study with a licensed professional.
“It’s important as this could signal a raise in taxes on the north end of the county,” said Glidewell, who lives in the north end. “We urge you to hire and engage an experienced contractor. The public seems to be left out of these discussions. We need to know what level of service they want and what they are willing to pay for it.
“We need a range of options that include the current structure, and detailed cost estimates for funding,” he added. “One thing left out is what is it going to cost county tax payers? We need a detailed description of what is the cost and where the money will come from. Do a professional study and see what people want and what the cost is.”
Former Tax Payer Association President Bob Hudson said that he was a part of the committee that met and went through the SWAT process.
“A lot of the comments revolved around what the real issues were. It is key and vital to know the answer to that,” he said. “The issue revolved around money. I run numbers. One thing that came out was the need for 55 additional firemen, new stations and $4-$5 million a year. How will we pay for that? That is five times what everyone in the northern part of the county is paying now. That is a substantial increase. The public needs to be involved.”
District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander proposed holding a public hearing about the findings.
“We need to hear from the public about it,” she said.
District 1 Commissioner Bill Chapman seconded that.
Comander made a motion hold a public meeting on the issue after the April 25 board meeting in DeFuniak Springs. The motion passed.
Wednesday
Posted Apr 5, 2017 at 2:51 PMUpdated Apr 5, 2017 at 2:51 PM
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By DEBORAH WHEELER
During last week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Walton County Commissioners heard an update and concerns expressed about the proposed transfer of North Walton Fire District to the sheriff’s control.
The proposal was originally brought up by District 3 Commissioner Melanie Nipper proposed in December 2016 that the Walton County Sheriff’s Office take over the management of the North Bay Fire District. The issue has been under study by staff since that time.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Joe Preston told commissioners that the study was 95 percent complete and he was seeking direction from commissioners on the next step to take.
Walton County Tax Payers Association President Danny Glidewell told commissioners that the Tax Payers Association Board of Directors met to discuss the issue and requested the county do a feasibility study with a licensed professional.
“It’s important as this could signal a raise in taxes on the north end of the county,” said Glidewell, who lives in the north end. “We urge you to hire and engage an experienced contractor. The public seems to be left out of these discussions. We need to know what level of service they want and what they are willing to pay for it.
“We need a range of options that include the current structure, and detailed cost estimates for funding,” he added. “One thing left out is what is it going to cost county tax payers? We need a detailed description of what is the cost and where the money will come from. Do a professional study and see what people want and what the cost is.”
Former Tax Payer Association President Bob Hudson said that he was a part of the committee that met and went through the SWAT process.
“A lot of the comments revolved around what the real issues were. It is key and vital to know the answer to that,” he said. “The issue revolved around money. I run numbers. One thing that came out was the need for 55 additional firemen, new stations and $4-$5 million a year. How will we pay for that? That is five times what everyone in the northern part of the county is paying now. That is a substantial increase. The public needs to be involved.”
District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander proposed holding a public hearing about the findings.
“We need to hear from the public about it,” she said.
District 1 Commissioner Bill Chapman seconded that.
Comander made a motion hold a public meeting on the issue after the April 25 board meeting in DeFuniak Springs. The motion passed.
Beach Fanatic
Most folks in NoWal don't even attend BCC meetings and don't know that what started all this were complaints from fire/ems about sub standard equipment and living conditions. While the County has moved to put a band aid on the problem by addressing some of the living conditions, they have not addressed outdated equipment and PROFESSIONAL fire/ems services. Just as you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear, you can't hand someone a title that they were not qualified for to start with and expect professional firefighting services from someone who had no firefighting experience prior to being handed a job title. The same is true of just about any job. What firefighters and ems are asking for is a more professional level of services and better living conditions. Moving them under the auspices of the Sheriff will bring them to a level of professionalism the BCC is not even qualified to understand let alone try to manage. Yes, equipment cost money which will probably increase taxes but you know how I feel about how the County spends millions of dollars on useless lawsuits and what that money could have purchased in regard to equipment. Why is it there is NO MONEY for the men and women who put their lives on the line for US every single day, 24/7 365 days a year? I think its a sad state of affairs for Walton County...when the County can purchase millions of dollars worth of real estate because they have outgrown their current working environment but we can't provide much needed equipment and professional services for those who put their lives on the line everyday! Had the County incrementally increased taxes when they voted to do so, this might not be an issue now.
Beach Fanatic
The NWFD personnel (included fire & EMS personnel, NWFD Lieutenants and admin staff) listed these things are STRENGTHS that the Department has during the SWOT analysis I attended.
They said they had a strong creative leader. Also note the first item they mentioned - MONEY - Kinda dispels you statement about the leadership & the driving force behind their concerns.
Question: What strengths does Walton County Fire Rescue bring to the discussion of
the organizational realignment of Walton County Fire Rescue?
Currently do so much with so little
Extensive EMS experience
Public education
Creative use of funds by current administration to meet needs
Pride
Resourcefulness
Dedicated corps of employees who want to make the agency better
Tradition
Strong-willed, determined, passionate employees
Innovative use of physical resources
Desire
Current leader is strong
Headed in the right direction
Rebuilding the agency
Love Walton County and the job
Work as a team
Willingness/ability to transport out of jurisdiction
Relationship with area hospitals
Internal and external educational resources
Public trust
Professionalism
Vision
Young impressionable employees are willing to learn
Public relations
History of inter-operability with Sheriff’s Office (incidents and events)
They said they had a strong creative leader. Also note the first item they mentioned - MONEY - Kinda dispels you statement about the leadership & the driving force behind their concerns.
Question: What strengths does Walton County Fire Rescue bring to the discussion of
the organizational realignment of Walton County Fire Rescue?
Currently do so much with so little
Extensive EMS experience
Public education
Creative use of funds by current administration to meet needs
Pride
Resourcefulness
Dedicated corps of employees who want to make the agency better
Tradition
Strong-willed, determined, passionate employees
Innovative use of physical resources
Desire
Current leader is strong
Headed in the right direction
Rebuilding the agency
Love Walton County and the job
Work as a team
Willingness/ability to transport out of jurisdiction
Relationship with area hospitals
Internal and external educational resources
Public trust
Professionalism
Vision
Young impressionable employees are willing to learn
Public relations
History of inter-operability with Sheriff’s Office (incidents and events)
Beach Fanatic
Question: What are the threats or barriers to success faced by the organizational
realignment of Walton County Fire Rescue?
Failure to adequately fund even after move
Resistance to change
Fear of the unknown
Increase in expectations and demand for services
Increased public scrutiny with high expectations
Public resistance to increases in taxes
Tax saturation
Political landscape
Organizational placement of Fire/Rescue Chief within Sheriff’s Office
Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws
Age/experience of Fire/Rescue personnel
Succession planning
Pay
Lack of local media outlets
Instability due to Sheriff elections
Tradition
Lack of understanding of different roles/abilities/capabilities
Administrative and legal issues due to organizational move (e.g., contracts)
Incorporation
Economy
realignment of Walton County Fire Rescue?
Failure to adequately fund even after move
Resistance to change
Fear of the unknown
Increase in expectations and demand for services
Increased public scrutiny with high expectations
Public resistance to increases in taxes
Tax saturation
Political landscape
Organizational placement of Fire/Rescue Chief within Sheriff’s Office
Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws
Age/experience of Fire/Rescue personnel
Succession planning
Pay
Lack of local media outlets
Instability due to Sheriff elections
Tradition
Lack of understanding of different roles/abilities/capabilities
Administrative and legal issues due to organizational move (e.g., contracts)
Incorporation
Economy
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