I am writing to express my strong support for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue’s local MSTU bill.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue provides world-class fire and EMS services, not only to residents in unincorporated areas but also to many municipalities that rely on the County’s system and infrastructure. This bill is important to me as a taxpayer and as someone who depends on fast, professional emergency response.
The bill helps:
- Keep the fire/EMS funding mechanism stable and fair when annexations occur.
- Prevent the cost of annexed, high-value properties from being shifted onto the rest of the County.
- Avoid wasteful duplication of stations and equipment that taxpayers have already paid for.
- Protect regional response capability so that service levels remain strong for all residents.
Importantly, this bill does not stop annexation and does not result in double taxation. It simply ensures that when the County continues to provide fire rescue services to annexed areas, the municipality that annexed that property fairly reimburses the County instead of shifting those costs elsewhere.
As your constituent, I respectfully ask you to support and vote in favor of this local bill to protect taxpayers, maintain strong fire rescue services, and provide a clear, fair framework when municipal boundaries change.
Thank you for your time and for your service to Palm Beach County.
