EAST LAKE / CITY of OLDSMAR DISCUSSION
July 10, 2008
On June 26th, 2008 Oldsmar Fire Chief McGuff contacted East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District (ELTSFCD) Chief Malzone requesting a meeting with the ELTSFCD Board Chairman Galloway, Chief Malzone and the City Manager of Oldsmar to discuss fact finding information on July 10th, 2008. Through phone communication with Chief Malzone, Chrm. Galloway requested the required permission from the Board of Commissioners as well as opinion from Attorney Salzman to attend such a meeting. A 3-1 consensus was granted; Comms. Cannon, Dedman, Galloway in the affirmative with Comm. McKone “nay” and a “no response” from Comm. Shult. Attorney Salzman agreed appropriate procedure was being followed.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss preliminary information regarding the possibility of the annexation of East Lake Woodlands to the City of Oldsmar and the possible fire services from the East Lake Special Fire District. This was a fact finding discussion ONLY.
As we all know, East Lake Woodlands is an unincorporated area of approximately 6,500 citizens. There have been inquiries from them regarding possible annexation to the City of Oldsmar. The City of Oldsmar is considering the possibility of such a move and are planning an informational letter to be circulated in the community during August, 2008. Depending upon the response that is given from the informational letter; then the City of Oldsmar would conduct a formal survey in September, 2008 to determine if there was a genuine interest in the annexation. If the results of the survey indicate a definite positive interest, then in November, 2008, Oldsmar’s city council would draft an ordinance to call for a referendum to be held in March of 2009.
All the benefits to the citizens of East Lake Woodlands are included with this report as attachment #A as well as a copy of the proposed annexation map as attachment #B. One of the major benefits to the East Lake Woodlands citizens would be a property tax benefit.
Currently, the City of Oldsmar is interested in an interlocal agreement with East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District concerning fire service(s) should this proposal pass City Council and the citizens of East Lake Woodlands.
The City of Oldsmar would be the taxing authority and would pay
ELTSFCD for their fire services, approximately 1.429 mils. (No firm
Figure as of 7/10/08.)
City of Oldsmar would seek a cap of the millage if this annexation and
Fire contract were to pass. Operationally, there would be no change for Oldsmar if this annexation goes through. Currently, Oldsmar has a 4.7032 millage which includes their Fire Services.
The geographical areas of most concern were El Pasado and Brooker’s Landing. (See attachment #B.)
Chief Malzone questioned about the payments of Firefighters’ pension and insurance as a part of the payment to ELTSFCD should the measure pass. It was too early in the discussions to come to any definitive conclusions on that matter.
***note bene: East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District needs to consider this discussion; however ELTSFCD will not be able to determine any definite course of action until the Citizens of East Lake Woodlands and the City Council of Oldsmar decide their course of action. Further, legal counsel will definitely need to be secured.
Summary:
This preliminary meeting was a positive neighborly, INFORMATION ONLY MEETING, to be presented to the East Lake Tarpon Fire Board of Commissioners. Both Chief McGuff, City Manager of Oldsmar Bruce Haddock offered to meet with our Bd. of Commissioners to answer further questions at a later Board meeting. This of course depends upon the outcome of East Lake Woodlands citizens’ wishes.
While the meeting and its contents are known within the City of Oldsmar, both Chief Malzone and your Bd. Chrm. Galloway were asked not to publicize these events until the citizens of East Lake Woodlands had the opportunity to express their wishes. Both Chief Malzone and Chrm. Galloway agreed but indicated that this knowledge would be made public as of the July 15th Board meeting due to Sunshine Laws.
It is necessary for this Commission and the Fire Chief to be most vigilant to the possibilities of this annexation regarding the potential services, usage of manpower, equipment and monies that would/could financially impact our district!
Respectfully submitted,
Florence C. Galloway,
Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners
7/ 15/ 2008
Benefits of Annexation letter
Attachment #B
proposed annexation map
click picture to enlarge
Current Oldsmar Boundary Map
