State lawmakers consider fire-district consolidation
By Mitra Malek
MANATEE COUNTY -- Consolidation of fire departments throughout the county might be an option now that West Manatee Fire District has struck out four times trying to raise money to meet new safety standards.
State Sen. Mike Bennett said Tuesday that he hopes to convene local fire chiefs in January to talk about consolidation or merging some districts.
Bennett and several other state lawmakers on Monday turned down West Manatee's request to introduce legislation next year that would increase the fee homeowners pay for fire protection.
The department took that route after voters shot down a proposal last Tuesday raising taxes to pay for new state-mandated safety standards. It was the third time this year voters defeated the measure.
"It's kind of hard for me to turn around and go in the face of the voters who said 'I don't want my taxes raised,'" state Rep. Ron Reagan said.
West Manatee has long supported consolidation of the county's 11 fire districts. But many other departments don't want consolidation. They say they function well independently and back up each other through mutual aid agreements.
Before the districts can consolidate, they all must agree and the state must approve the merger.
