Ochopee FCD Advisory Board Minutes 03/09/2015 OCHOPEE FIRE CONTROL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
FOR MARCH 9, 2015
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 4PM by the Chairman Anthony Davis.
Roll Call of Attendees:
Alan McLaughlin, Fire Chief, Ochopee Fire Control District
Anthony Davis,Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Port of the Islands
Ron Gilbert,Advisory Committee Member, Port of the Islands
James Morris,Advisory Committee Member, Port of the Islands
Jean Kungle, guest, Port of the Islands
Additions and Deletions to Agenda
None
Approval of Agenda:
Ron Gilbert made a motion to approve the agenda it was seconded by James Morris and was
passed.
Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 9,2015
James Morris made a motion to approve the minutes as read it was seconded by Ron Gilbert
and the minutes for 2-9-15 were approved as read.
REPORTS:
Budget:
Chief McLaughlin—We are starting to develop next year's budget in fact we are developing six
budgets. We have to develop a budget for Ochopee Fire Control District and Isles of Capri Fire
District. We have to develop a budget for Ochopee Fire Control District, Isles of Capri Fire
District, Goodland Fire District and District I with any additional services. Plus we have to
develop the 1-75 budget. He is hoping there will be a work shop regarding the proposals to
answer some of the questions regarding the RFP.
Page 1
Chief McLaughlin- Dan Summers is putting together a proposal from BES for the service which
has already been contested by Jeff Page, one of the commissioners of Greater Naples Fire
District. Mr. Page contends the County Commissioners intended the proposals to be submitted
by the Independent Fire Districts and Ochopee Fire Control District. Mr. Summers contends
that Ochopee Fire Control District is part of the BES so he has the right to put forth a proposal.
Chief McLaughlin created a budget to attach to Mr.Summers proposal in case there are any
changes. At the work shop we can change or adopt items in the proposal.
Chief McLaughlin-We are creating a budget without changes and one with. The 1-75 budget
should remain steady for the next three years. We are still on track with this year's budget.
We are looking at$22,000 for Ochopee Fire Control District and$280,000 for Isles of Capri Fire
District in carry forward. The large carry forward for Isles of Capri Fire District is because the
full time positions are being filled by part time personnel which are a large savings to the
budget. The carry forward is also due to some cost savings that have been instituted at Isles of
Capri Fire District. There is the possibility of a taxable increase of 3%or 4%for coastal areas he
feels that could mean a 2%increase across the board for dependant fire districts. He can
provide the service just a cheap and economical as anyone giving a proposal. He feels it will be
difficult for the other Districts to bring forth a proposal because they don't have all the facts.
Jean Kungle—Wanted a copy of the Proposal.
James Morris—He has a copy and will send it to Jean Kungle.
Ron Gilbert—Wanted to know if there has been a property value increase each year.
Chief McLaughlin—The coastline usually sees the appreciable increase. Everglades City has not
seen an appreciation of any amount. District 1 had a small increase, Isles of Capri had a good
increase, Goodland had an increase. Ochopee Fire Control District last year did not have a
property value increase it just stayed the same but this year the State is indicating a 4%to 5%
increase. He feels at the States estimate it would be safe to say that there will be at least a 2%
increase across the board.
James Morris—He asked what percentage of the budget is the capital budget.
Chief McLaughlin—We don't operate that way we develop a capital budget as needed and it
comes out of the overall costs. We average in the operating to payroll 80/20 and out of that
our capital depending on the year can range from $15,700 for equipment or$47,000 for vehicle
replacement.
Page 2
Line of Duty Deaths:
The US Fire Fighter line of duty deaths for the year of 2015 is 14 and there have been 8 in the
month of February, 2015.
Awards, Recognitions&Certifications
None
Operations Report:
Chief McLaughlin- Purchased a program for Pre-Fire Plans to comply with ISO. We have two
new volunteers who are training our personnel regarding Pre-Fire Plans.
Chief McLaughlin -The TPG in the Water Tender 60 was replaced by Ochopee Fire District
Personnel.
Chief McLaughlin said we were close to an ISO rating of 3 and with some minor changes it could
be accomplished. He feels by making some adjustments in three years when there is another
ISO inspection we could achieve a rating of 3.
There were 73 incidents for the month of February 2015. No calls outside the District but there
were two boat rescue calls on Chokoloskee Island and in the Everglades City area. There were
five Fire Inspections by Greater Naples Fire District and no Fire Investigations.
Ron Gilbert wants a break down as to what calls were on 1-75.
Chief McLaughlin—He said we can break them down into zones we have 60, 61, 63,66.
Ron Gilbert—He does not want that much of a break down. Before there was a station on 1-75
48%of our calls were on 1-75 he is curious as to whether the call load has increased with the
new station.
Chief McLaughlin—The call volume has increased on 1-75 since the station has opened a lot of
people are pulling into the station. They have a lot of walk in calls.
Jean Kungle—She asked if EMS was stationed at 1-75
Chief McLaughlin -Yes,there is a Fire Medic assigned to the 1-75 station but there is no
ambulance stationed there.
Page 3
Tony Davis—He would prefer a breakdown of 1-75 along with the rest of the District.
Chief McLaughlin—He can provide a breakdown of 1-75 along with the rest of the District.
He requested that we pull out the 1-75 area out which would be zone 63 and then the rest of
the District all together.
Chief McLaughlin -There were no calls out of District and there were two boat rescues one in
Chokoloskee and the Everglades City Area. Greater Naples Fire District performed five Fire
Inspections and there were no Fire Investigations.
OLD BUSINESS
Vacant Position on the Advisory Committee
Tony Davis—He asked the Chief if he heard anything on a possible representative from
Chokoloskee.
Chief McLaughlin -He has not heard anything back.
Tony Davis—He asked if anyone had contacted Kenny Brown or if he would qualify.
Chief McLaughlin—He will ask Caleb Morris if Kenny Brown would be Interested in serving on
the Advisory Board. It was brought up maybe someone else from the City of Everglades would
Be interested in serving on the Ochopee Advisory Board.
Ron Gilbert—He made a motion to remove McBeth Collins from the Ochopee Advisory Board
according to County attendance specifications it was seconded by James Morris and the motion
was passed.
Locution System
Chief McLaughlin—The locution system is up and running we had one of our cradle point
devices fail he is going to check it. If it is the cradle point device that failed then he will have it
repaired or replaced other than that the system is working well.
FEMA Grant for Smoke Removal Station 60
The FEMA Grant has been submitted for both Station 60 and Station 90.
Page 4
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant for Foam
Chief McLaughlin—We were approved by Forestry for the 50/50 Grant for the foam and it is on
the agenda for the Board of County Commissioners.
Ochopee Fire Control District Request for Services Proposal
Tony Davis—This item was discussed earlier under the budget report.
He referred to a hand out regarding a Report on District Mergers in the State of Florida which
represents the fact that most departments are moving to a County format.
Report on District mergers&State of Florida trends towards consolidation.
(Hand Out Attached)
The Report on District Mergers &State of Florida trends towards consolidation report
was passed out to the Ochopee Advisory Committee Members.
Tony Davis—The Chief, himself and a community representative want to present this report to
Commissioner Donna Fiala and possibly to some of the other commissioners to ask the question
why are we going backwards when everyone else is consolidating under a County format? Why
would we merge with the separate districts when other areas in the State are merging under
the County?
Chief McLaughlin—The report is a result of a request by Tony Davis as to what were the other
Fire Departments in the state doing in regards to consolidation. This report is not an opinion it
is just a collection of facts. In some areas of Florida the County took over the City Fire
Departments. Chief McLaughlin further commented that it is one thing to consolidate a Fire
Service but it is another thing to consolidate and EMS transport service. The Fire Service is easy
but they have asked for a consolidation of EMS and Fire Service that is going to be very difficult
for any independent district for transport. The only way you could provide a combined Fire and
EMS transport service is under the County and that would be at a rate of 1.8 or 1.9 mills. There
are some models out there that do not have transport services they are contracted out. All of
the models of Fire Departments and EMS consolidated that transported were under the
County.
Tony Davis—He feels the commissioners should look at this report and consider consolidation
under the County.
Ron Gilbert- He wanted to know what they intended to do with the report.
Tony Davis—He wants to present the report to Donna Fiala and the other Commissioners if
possible.
Page 5
Tony Davis is requesting a motion to present this report to the County Commissioners.
Chief McLaughlin—He will attend to offer technical information. He can go to this type of
meeting if requested by an Advisory Committee Member and he will inform his superiors that
he will be attending.
A motion was made by Ron Gilbert to present the study to the commissioners it was seconded
by James Morris and the motion was passed.
Chief McLaughlin—He suggested they make a meeting with each commissioner individually to
present the report.
NEW BUSINESS
Vince Doerr Plaque at Station 63
Chief McLaughlin—The plaque for Vince Doerr has been approved to be mounted at Station 63.
Vince Doerr was the first paid fire chief. In 1988 he started having conversations with the State
when they were going to four lane alligator alley in regards to a fire station at SR 29 and
1-75. He continued to pressure the State for a station to cover alligator alley. The state
contended that the calls would go down once the highway was widened to four lanes however
Chief Doerr insisted that the call volume would go up more people would use the highway.
Chief Doerr was correct the road traffic increased on the highway which increased the call
volume. Chief Doerr retired in 1998 and it wasn't until four years ago that this idea was
resurrected because of call volume. His recognition of the necessity of a Fire Station on
1-75 is what is being honored.The plaque has been approved by the County and State. Vince
Doerr will not be able to physically attend the plaque ceremony; however, Chief McLaughlin is
considering using Skype to enable Vince to view the ceremony.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned after a motion was made seconded and passed.
A thoni pavis, Chairman
Oc' • •ee Fire Control District Advisory Committee
Page 6
Report on the State of Florida Fire Service and Consolidation Trending
Prepared For Anthony Davis, Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Committee President
The Collier County Commission has taken the initiative to request proposals for the consolidation of Fire
Districts under their authority. Within the State of Florida the trend in growing areas has been to
consolidate the Fire Districts under County Government. One avenue to do this is with a County MSTU.
The Collier County proposal to have an outside agency manage the four County Fire Districts is contrary
to what has taken place as good practice in the State of Florida.In an examination of the Florida fire
service one will note the trend to place fire districts under County government has been the accepted
norm
Under County Government the economies of scale are in place. Elected officials already represent the
people,accountability of the Clerk of Courts,Human Resources, County Attorney,Fleet Services and
other checks and balances are in place.
Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services is a basic service that counties should be providing. It is a
high profile service that shows the taxpayers what they are receiving for their tax dollars. This should
always be accomplished in a cost effective and accountable manner.
One thing must be pointed out,some will pay more,some will pay less,there will be no cost saving,but
the economies of scale can be taken advantage of by putting more boots on the ground countywide.
There are approximately 600 fire departments in the State of Florida. Of those only 477 are registered
in a National Registry. Many fire departments are within city or county government.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity only fifty five(55)independent fire
control districts(FCD's)presently exist in the State of Florida out of approximately 600 fire departments
in the state.
•
The 1974 Florida Legislature enacted a number of laws dealing with the long burning issue of dual
taxation—(city residents paying for county services not used.)These new laws permitted counties to
create a new type of dependent special taxing district called a Municipal Service Taxing Unit or"MSTU"
as these came to be known. But unlike dependent special districts,an MSTU can be created by county
ordinance with taxing authority—without a referendum vote of the people affected. (Chapter 74-191,
Laws Of Florida)
In most cases we used the Information from fiscal years 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 as that was most of
the information that was available. We updated Collier County information from 2015 budgets.
There is only one County Wide Independent Fire Control District in Florida and that is Saint Lucie County
Fire District. The governing body is made up of two members of County Commission,two from City of
Fort Pierce,two members from the City of Port Saint Lucie and one member appointed by the Governor.
Millage 2012-2013 was 2.65 mills.
Miami Dade Fire Rescue is a Dependent Fire District. They are governed by the 13 member Miami Dade
County Commission.The 2012-2013 Miilage was 2.4496 mills. Miami Dade Fire Rescue is one of the 10
largest fire departments in the United States. The operating budget was$361,000,000 plus a five year
capital budget of$54,000,000. They have a total of 2429 employees. 2000 are uniformed in 65 Fire
stations covering 1883 Square miles. A county-dependent special District of Dade County since 1957,
this department serves unincorporated Miami-Dade County plus twenty-one of the total twenty-six
municipalities within the county.The cities of Miami,Miami Beach, Hialeah,Coral Gables and the Village
of Key Biscayne own and operate their own fire and rescue departments. Miami-Dade County
department has ALS and paramedics but does not transport. Private ambulance services are contracted
with the county for this service.
BROWARD COUNTY FIRE&RESCUE is a County owned and operated fire/rescue department that serves
a limited area of unincorporated Broward County and seven incorporated places by inter-local
agreement. incorporated areas include the cities of Cooper City,Dania Beach,Sea Ranch Lakes,
Pembroke Park, Lauderdale Lakes,West Park and Weston.The remaining 22 incorporated municipalities
in Broward County own and operate their own fire departments or buy this service from adjacent
municipalities. Broward County is different than most other areas in that the over whelming majority of
county residents live within the boundaries of a city or town.
Prior to fiscal year 1977-1978,fire protection in the urbanized unincorporated area of Broward County
was provided by numerous volunteer fire departments—all funded through a single independent special
district known as Broward Fire Control.The Florida Legislature abolished the district in 1978 and
transferred its assets and liabilities to the government of Broward County.On October 1,2003,the
County Commission turned Broward Fire&Rescue over to the Broward County Sheriff's Office and it has
been operated as a division of that entity ever since. Broward fire Rescue is a fully paid career
department.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY Fire Rescue is a County owned and operated fire-rescue department serving
Charlotte County, less and except within the City of Punta Gorda,the Boca Grande Fire Control District
and the Englewood Area Fire Control District.
Previous to 1981,fire protection was provided by six special districts.
In January of 1981,Charlotte County abolished its three dependent fire districts and created Charlotte
County Fire-Rescue. In 1985,the Port-Charlotte-Charlotte Harbor and Charlotte County South
independent districts were abolished,and in 1991,Harbor Heights Fire Control District was abolished
and merged with the county fire and rescue department.
Note:Charlotte County EMS provides ambulance service to the entire county and is funded through
countywide general revenue.In effect, Charlotte County Fire Rescue and EMS are the same agency
except they are funded separately.The reason for this is because the City of Punta Gorda,The
Englewood Area Fire Control District and the Boca Grande Fire Control District own and operate their
own fire departments.The county fire levy applies to all areas of the county outside of these three
jurisdictions.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE is a County funded and controlled agency providing fire
protection to unincorporated Hillsborough County,and EMS ambulance service to the same area plus to
the city of Plant City by inter-local agreement.The other incorporated communities of Tampa and
Temple Terrace own and operate their own fire and rescue departments.Department has both paid and
volunteer fire stations.
2010-2011FIRE/EMSBUDGET:$116,640,889 2010-2011FIRE/EMS TAXING RATE:This information is not
available from the government of Hillsborough County.This is because funding comes from the
Hillsborough County Unincorporated Area MSTU(Municipal Service Taxing Unit).That unit includes the
tax levy to support all municipal services in the unincorporated area of the county—including the fire
and rescue department.
COLLIER COUNTY has four dependent MSTU districts; Ochopee Fire Control,Isles of Capri Fire Rescue,
District One,and Goodland. The tax dollars from District One are divided among Isles of Capri,Ochopee
and Greater Naples Fire District. Goodland tax dollars are given to Marco Island.
Three independent fire control districts exist in Collier County;Greater Naples, North Collier,and
Immokalee. The cities of Naples and Marco Island provide their own fire protection.
COWER COUNTY EMS is a third service providing Advance Life Support Ambulance Transport service
Countywide. It is funded with tax revenues and user fees.
ORANGE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE is a county owned and operated fire-rescue department which serves all
of unincorporated Orange County—less and except the City of Orlando and Reedy Creek Improvement
District at Disneyworld—plus the municipalities of Belle Isle,Edgewood and Oakland by inter-local
agreement.It is said to be the third largest fire department in the state.The district provides fire
prevention and suppression,transporting and non-transporting ALS rescue. The county contracts with a
private for provider for some of its ALS Ambulance transport services. They are a fully paid career
department.
Previous to 1981, unincorporated Orange County was served by fourteen county dependent fire control
districts—all operating and existing under a single special act of the Legislature.(Chapter 26460 Laws of
Florida 1949)
PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE is also a County owned and operated fire rescue department.The
County provides fire prevention and suppression,ALS rescue service with transport service for ALS type
emergencies only,BLS transport service provided by private ambulance company under contract,
Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat),fire inspections and investigations and building plans review.
The County serves all of unincorporated Palm Beach County plus the municipalities of Belle Glade,Cloud
Lake,Glen Ridge, Haverhill,Juno Beach,Jupiter,Lake Clarke Shores,Lake Park,Lake Worth,Lantana,
Manalapan, Pahokee,Palm Springs, Royal Palm Beach,South Bay,South Palm Beach and Wellington.
Previous to 1984,ten county-dependent fire control districts provided fire protection—all operating
under the same enabling act of the Legislature. (Chapter 59-1700 and Chapter 63-1747, Laws of Florida.
They were:
Millage Rates in URBANIZED AREA EXCEPT IN JUPITER:3.4581MiIIs($179,472,261). WITHIN TOWN OF
JUPITER ONLY:2.2489Mills($16,080,105)(c.)RURAL AREAS(GLADESMSTU):unknown
SARASOTA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE Is a county owned and operated fire rescue department. They
provide fire prevention and suppression service to the city of Sarasota and the unincorporated area less
and except within the Englewood Area Fire Control District and within the community of Nokomis.
Included are transporting ALS rescue service to the cities of Sarasota,Venice and to the unincorporated
areas.(The cities of North Port and Longboat Key own.and operate their own ambulance service.)They
operate as a fully paid career department within the Urban Service Area and with volunteer firefighters
outside of the Urban Service Area.
Prior to 1985,fire protection in the urbanized unincorporated areas outside the city limits of Sarasota
was provided by three independent special fire control districts,namely:South Trail Area Fire Control
District, Northeast Area Fire Control District and Fruitville Fire Control District.In 1985,these three
special districts were consolidated into a single new independent district called the Metropolitan
Sarasota County Fire&Rescue District by special act—without a referendum. (Chapter 85-498,Laws of
Florida).The following year,another special act of the Legislature dissolved this district and transferred
its assets and liabilities to the government of Sarasota County—without a referendum.(Chapter 86-346,
Laws of Florida).The act was effective February 1,1987.By 1991,the South Venice Fire District and the
Pinecraft Fire Control Districts were also dissolved and transferred to county fire operations.On January
1,1996,the City of Sarasota gave its fire department to Sarasota County.
TOTAL AVERAGES ALL 17 FiRE CONTROL DISTRICTS IN LEE COUNTY—2010-2011:
Combined revenue from tax millage levy:$100,076,978 Average fire tax millage rate:2.3619 Number of
Fire Stations: 45 Average Relative Cost Per Fire Station:$2,223,933
TOTAL AVERAGES ALL 5 FIRE CONTROL DISTRICTS IN COLLIER COUNTY—2010—2011:
Combined budgets from tax millage levy:$63,198,994 Average fire tax millage rate: 1.8 Number of Fire
Stations: 21 Average Relative Cost Per Fire Station:$3,009,476
RELATIVE COST PER FIRE STATION CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 Operating Budget .
North Collier Fire Rescue District$25,351,848/10 Stations=$2,535,184
Greater Naples Fire Rescue District$19,715,298/10 stations=$1,971,529
Isles of Capri Fire Rescue District$1,273,800/1 Station=$1,273,800
Ochopee Fire Rescue District:$1,855,000+$1,498,100=$3,358,100/3 Stations$1,117,700
Immokalee Fire Rescue District$2,619,926/3 Stations=$873,308
The subject of merging fire districts has been an ongoing one in Collier County for many years,with its
proponents promising tax savings and better service.Recent drops in real property values that have
reduced tax revenues, plus a continuing issue with the County Medical Director led county
commissioners to believe there was an opportunity to establish a consolidated metro-type fire system in
the county. On November 2,2010,voters in unincorporated Collier County approved the following
straw-ballot proposal submitted to them by the county commissioners:
"Would you support consolidation of the five independent fire districts and two dependent fire districts
in to one independent fire district for unincorporated Collier County—provided that the consolidation
will improve efficiency and promote a more cost-effective use of tax dollars?"
The results were as follows:
COMMUNITY YES/NO
County area(Isles of Capri&Ochopee) 1,126 to 578 Big Corkscrew Island 2,479 to 1,040 East Naples
12,604 to 6,127 Golden Gate 12,532 t 4,622 Immokalee 734 to 497 North Naples 25,929 to 9,139 Total
55,404 to 22,003
SUMMARY
There have been several fire mergers here in Southwest Florida over the years and most of them made
sense.The 1971 merger of the Cape Coral Fire Control District with the city made sense.The merger of
the Marco island Fire Control District with the new City of Marco Island made sense.Their boundaries
were identical.When the Little Hickory Shores residents realized their community was geographically
too small to generate the tax base needed to support a modern fire department,they and the voters of
the North Naples Fire Control District voted for a merger.
The most recent mergers included North Naples and Big Corkscrew to become North Collier Fire and
Rescue District. Golden Gate and East Naples also merged to become the Greater Naples Fire Rescue
District.
One will note only one independent fire district exists in the State of Florida that provides service to an
entire County and it is set up with elected commissioners or council members of the City and County
sitting as the Board of Fire Commissioners. All other are under city or county government.
The Collier County Commission should request for a proposal for the consolidation of Fire Districts under
their authority. Within the State of Florida trend in growing areas has been to consolidate the Fire
Districts under County Government. One avenue to do this is with a County MSTU.
The Collier County proposal to have outside agencies manage the four County Fire Districts is contrary to
what has taken place as good practice In the State of Florida. In an examination of the Florida fire service
one will note the trend to place fire districts under County government has been the accepted norm.
Under County Government the economies of scale are in place. Elected officials already represent the
people. Accountability of the Clerk, Human Resources,County Attorney, Fleet and others are in place.
Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services is a basic service that counties should be providing. It is a
high profile service that shows the taxpayers what they are receiving for the tax dollars. This should
always be accomplished in a cost effective and accountable manner.
One of the best examples of a dependent district is the Miami Dade Fire Rescue. They are governed by
the Miami Dade County Commissioners.
One thing must be pointed out,some will pay more,some will pay less,there will be no cost saving,but
the economies of scale can be taken advantage of by putting more boots on the ground countywide.
Sources:
The above information was provided on the websites Collier County,Greater Naples, North Collier, Isles
of Capri,and Ochopee FD
Fire Consolidation Realities Report a review of facts-SIXTHEDITION BY BRIAN R.JUNTIKKA MARCH 23,
2011