City wants to raise Fire Assessment–Again
Posted by Sandy on August 14, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Residents recently received correspondence from the city which states:
“West Palm Beach Seeks Citizen Input on Proposed Fire Assessment Rates.
Public Hearing Scheduled for August 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.
City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James and City Commissioners want to hear from you”
Anyone who opposes this increase from $50.00 to $100.00 trust me they don’t want to hear from you.
Last year when Mayor Muoio pushed to raise the fee from $25.00 to $50.00 people who attended the meeting walked into City Chambers to be met with a room full of firemen, many in uniform.
Well, what do you do? If you speak against the increase, many firemen feel you are voting against them. I can only speak for myself and did speak against the raise, but took the time to tell them I was not against the fire department, but against the city and how they used taxpayers dollars.
What was not mentioned in the letter above was Resolution no.190-11.
The city passed Resolution No. 190-11 establishing fees to be charged for the emergency medical transportation services provided by the West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department. Below are the fees the city charges.
West Palm Beach effective October 1, 2011 Rates
ALS1 (Advanced Life Support 1) $700.00
ALS2 (Advanced Life Support 2) $750.00
(Specialty Care Transport) $850.00
Mileage Fee $12.00 /mile (If you live 1.1 mile from hospital you will be charged $24.00)
Waiting Fee $35.00 1/2 hour
Response to DOA (Dead on Arrival) $350.00.
Late Fee $3.00 / Month.
Figures City sent to me after a PRR for dollars collected.
FY 10/11 $2,034,461.86
FY 11/12 $1,956,560.31
FY 12/13 $1,911,861.02
FY 13/14 $1,886,757.58
FY 14/15 $1,873,849.88
Total $9,663,490,65
Below are the figures supplied by a city employee who asked to remain anonymous.
FY 2012 $2,723,993.00
FY 2013 $2,357,994.00
FY 2014 $3,144,304.00
FY 2015 $4,034,342.00
FY 2016 $3,365,000.00
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Total $15,625,633.00 Difference $5,962,143.00 Where is this Money?
Original story below posted July 23, 2016.
https://wpbwatch.com/2016/07/live-in-wpb-stay-healthy-or-pay-up/
Here are the Fire Assessment’s fee’s received from a PRR from the PBC which I received the day my request was submitted. Excellent service.
2019 $8,071,730.20 proposed (Ave$100 residential)
2018 $4,174,983.31 (Ave $50 residential
2017 $2,183,708.95 (Ave $25 residential)
2016 $2,180,241.30 (Ave $25 residential)
Total $8,538,933.56
Here are the Fire Assessment’s fee’s received from a PRR from WPB
2018 $2,090,940.91
2017 $2,087,772.73
2016 $2,033, 340.84
Total $ 6,212,054.48 Difference $2,326,879.08 Where is this money?
This is the 2nd. Time the city falsified records sent to me.
This will be a hardship for anyone on a fixed income, namely senior citizens, and don’t forget the $150.00- 200.00 that will be added onto the Non-ad valorem supposedly to be used for schools, solid waste authority of PBC $175.00. Homeowners can expect to pay $4-500 more on their tax bill. Why is it always the homeowner who pay’s? Guess who it won’t be a hardship on? Mayor Keith James, he isn’t a homeowner and rents a home from a homeowner who does business with the city, and James stated he paid “fair market Value” for rent.
Remember when James had his city commission check garnished? You forgot? Here’s a reminder.
Remember when James had liens placed against him for not paying taxes? You forgot? Another reminder.
Keith James Tax Lien 2009-2016
“If you don’t pay your property taxes in Florida, the delinquent amount becomes a lien on your home. (Fla. Stat. § 197.122). Once there’s a tax lien on your home, the tax collector may sell that lien at an auction. This is called a “tax lien sale.”
There will be an election for 3 City Commissioners Lambert, Shoaf and Ryles. Hopefully they will not take our vote for granted.
Personally I will not vote for any commissioner who uses Rick Asnani consulting firm Cornerstone Solutions, who is being sued by former Commissioner Materio, and after receiving another complaint
Voters please take the time to know the candidates, their issues and most importantly how they vote. The last Mayoral vote Mayor Muoio, Lois Frankel, Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach Association of Firefighters, Police Benevolent Association, and the Chamber of Commerce all endorsed James for Mayor. That’s their opinion, have one of your own.
I believe the 3 commissioners will vote to approve the increase of the fire assessment fee for one reason. They want their endorsement for re-election.
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