Pace Fire Department is still part of the group of fire departments under Santa Rosa County’s Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU), at least until the next election cycle. The department, under the command of Chief Donnie Wadkins, wanted to create its own district in Pace, wherein it could assess taxes of the citizenry in the new district and not be figured into the MSBU pool.
Wadkins said, during Monday’s board of county commissioners meeting, “Pace is growing, and Pace Fire Department has to grow with it. Pace is growing so fast now I need to open another fire station on Highway 90.” Siding the need for more men, he also said “I need to buy a new fire truck now but I don’t have the money in the budget.” Wadkins said his aim was not to raise taxes, but to see if the people would want a special fire district. If the new courthouse goes to Pace, he said it would be a burden due to the number of people being there. “But we can handle it. We want to handle it,” he said.
Commissioner Jayer Williamson who first praised the Pace Fire Department for the job it does asked Tony Gomillion in Public Services if there would be any adverse effect of this change. Gomillion couldn’t give a number but said it wouldn’t be insurmountable.
Commissioner Bob Cole said his concern was not having heard yet from the other department chief. “How is this going to affect their business model?” he asked. With Pace being as large as it is, Commissioner Don Salter said, “My concern is we’re going to end up with 7 to 8 little fire departments trying to fend for themselves.”
Commissioner Lane Lynchard said he supported the referendum saying, “The people living in that precinct can make their own decision.” Lynchard also cited ballot tax increases from the last two election cycles, one at Avalon and one for Midway Fire Department, which passed. County Administrator Hunter Walker said Avalon, Midway, and Holley-Navarre Fire Departments have a special legislative district, which is what Pace is seeking. Lynchard did concur with Salter’s concerns and said they should come up with a plan if PFD does leave the MSBU.
However, regardless of any pros and cons, the elections office did not have time at this point to handle the special circumstances in this situation.
Supervisor of Elections, Tappie Villane, sent an email to Santa Rosa County Administrator Hunter Walker saying, “The books closed for the primary election on July 28. Once the books close and numbers are finalized with the State, we are unable to go into the system and change street segments and/or create precinct splits.” She said precincts 2, 19, and 24 would have to be split. She also said time was even more of a factor with military ballots needing to be sent out 45 days in advance.
Villane said the non binding referendum, or straw poll, would not actually establish the district. “That takes an act of the state legislature,” she said.
Barring any kind of special election, Pace will have to wait until the next round of regular elections, 2 years, to try again.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace Fire Department to remain in current MSBU