6/18/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOOK �e FAGE �d Staff has had two meetings with the Indian River Shores Town Manager regarding this matter and it was conveyed to him on June 11, 1991, that a recommendation would be made to the Board of County__ Commissioners to deny the reimbursement of approximately $242,000 for reasons alluded to below. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS In April, 1990, the Board of County Commissioners appointed a fifteen (15) member Ad Hoc Committee to study and recommend a plan to unify and, consolidate the county emergency services. The Ad Hoc Committee met for the first time on May 11, 1990, at which time the Committee was first put on notice by the Indian River Shores representative that Indian River Shores would probably opt out of the planned consolidation since they provided their own fire and EMS service. After direction from the Committee, staff worked diligently to provide a proposed consolidation plan which was presented to the Ad Hoc Committee on June 22, 1990. Commissioner Don C. Scurlock, Jr., and staff met with the Indian River Shores Council on June 28, 1990, when formal notice was received that the Town determined to keep their current public safety type of service and not participate in any consolidation effort. All operational and financial information relating to the Town of Indian River Shores, was removed from the 'Comprehensive Plan to Unify and Consolidate Indian River County Emergency Services except for mutual aid references. Staff revised the plan and presented it to the Ad Hoc Committee which approved it and recommended it to the Board of County Commissioners. On November 6, 1990, the Board of County Commissioners approved the plan and authorized a county -wide referendum, except for the Town of Indian River Shores, to be conducted in March, 1991. The referendum was approved by the voters in Indian River County' in terms of the new district and additional taxes for residents in the north county area. i Throughout the process stated above the Ad Hoc Committee nor staff was advised that the Town would seek a refund of ad valorem taxes or staff would have included that information in the•financial portion of the plan which dealt with millage and revenue. If a refund should' I:be authorized at this point, the financial information disseminated I•to the public•during the referendum process would be inaccurate. The six year plan as approved by the electorate provides that Indian River Shores ad valorem taxes will cease to be collected to partially fund the county operated ALS service on September 30, 1992, when the new Emergency Services District is created. During the meeting with the Town Manager Joe Dorsky on June 11, 1991, it was concluded that the idea of becoming an ALS provider prior to October 1, 1992, had only recently been raised and considered. As ..stated above, staff advised the Town Manager of the recommendation staff planned to make to the Board of County Commissioners. Hopefully, -the Indian River Shores Council will decide not to pursue the matter since the county has agreed to continue to provide the same services that the Town has been receiving until the new district is created and since a time certain has been established which the ad valorem taxes would cease, to be collected from residents to partially fund the county ALS service. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners deny the Town of Indian River Shores Council request for a refund of ad valorem taxes used to partially fund the county ALS service. Staff has committed to continue to provide the same level -of services to the Indian River Shores ALS currently being provided until the new Emergency Services District is created on October 1, 1992.