Key Largo Fire-EMS district considering tax increase

The Key Largo Fire-EMS District discussed its fiscal year 2024-2025 budget recently and set a tentative 12% property tax increase over the current year.

The proposed millage of $119.57 per $100,000 of taxable property value comes after a 30% budget increase a year ago, according to district CPA Jennifer Johnson. That increase was necessary to prevent the district from running a deficit.

The forecasted budget provides for the addition of a third rescue vehicle and a total of 18 full-time personnel and six part-time medics. Budget options include adding a Mule utility vehicle said to be useful in park settings and the possibility of a rescue boat and crew.

The proposed millage rate can be lowered but not increased during public hearings scheduled for Sept. 9 and Sept. 23.

The current year rollback millage rate is $106.86 per $100,000 of taxable property value. If unchanged, the proposed 2024-2025 taxes at a 97% collection rate would generate $6,863,994 in revenue for the district. The district plans to meet Aug. 19 for further discussion.

The district heard a proposal at its July 22 meeting to update its website to fulfill full American Disabilities Act compliance and improve color contrast, among other changes. Lawsuits against governmental services cost an average of $4,000 per ADA claim in 2019 to $39,000 in 2022, according to consultant Taylor Gordon of Streamline Inc. which offers website compliance services.

“More than 2,403 districts have been affected by an accessibility action,” he said. “About 6% of all districts in the U.S., including county-dependent districts have been fined, received demand letters or gotten Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights letters for website ADA violations. That number is expected to exceed 4,000 (10%) by the end of 2024.”

Streamline’s services come at a cost of $1,500 for revamping the website initially and a recurring cost of $560 monthly for a one-year contract, which includes domain hosting and indemnification up to $2,500 and email marketing and forms for applications. The item is to come back at the board’s next meeting.

Board Vice Chair George Mirabella noted the district’s logo should not be displayed on election campaign material.

“It should only be displayed on official district business items,” he said.