An appeals court says the county can continue to serve the former Township 22. Brooksville had wanted to regain control.
By WILL VAN SANT
Published August 1, 2003
BROOKSVILLE - Brooksville has failed in its latest bid to regain control of fire service for residents of the area once called Township 22.
Earlier this week, the 5th District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Hernando County, which began providing fire service in the 36-square-mile area against the wishes of the city last October. Created in 1967, Township 22 is part of an area that surrounds the city limits. The area is now called the Central Hernando Fire Protection District.
"I'm pleased with their decision," said Assistant County Attorney Kurt Hitzemann. "Any time an appeals court agrees with your position you've got to feel good about that."
Prior to October, the county collected the taxes and paid the city $300,000 a year to provide fire service for the roughly 6,000 people who lived in the area.
When the county decided its own service had grown enough for it to provide fire protection, the city balked. Brooksville argued that residents should be able to vote to decide whether the county should take over fire service. The appeals court agreed with a lower court that no referendum was required.
Last week, the county abolished the fire district's tax structure, which was tied to property values, and replaced the levy with a flat fee. That fee, which will likely be $100.17 per residence next year, is the same charged elsewhere in the county for fire service.
Brooksville City Attorney David La Croix did not return calls seeking comment on the court's decision.
- Will Van Sant covers Hernando County government and can be reached at 754-6127. Send e-mail to vansant@sptimes.com
