Fla. Dept. Will Withhold Services Without Funds
Source Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
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Oct. 28--FREEPORT -- Homes and businesses in unincorporated areas could be at risk if the city doesn't get more money for fire protection, Mayor Mickey Marse says.
Marse has asked Walton County officials for an additional $75,000 to fund the Freeport Fire Department. If the money doesn't' come though, he says he will limit the department's calls to the city limits.
"We hate it, but we have to do this," Marse said. "We're in the same budget constraints as everyone else. The city and county have gotten along great, so I regret to have to do this."
Limiting the calls to the city would cut 60 percent of the Fire Department's runs, he said.
Marse sent a letter requesting the additional funding in July and said he has talked to Walton County Administrator Greg Kisela about the issue. He said if county commissioners do not approve funding at their next meeting Nov. 8, the cut in fire coverage will take effect.
"I've met with Mayor Marse multiple times and I'm recommending to the board that we approve the additional funding," Kisela said. "Hopefully, we don't get to some point where services are stopped. We just need the (county commissioners) to grant approval."
The county already has given Freeport $200,000 to help pay for fire protection. If county commissioners approve the extra $75,000, it would match the city's $275,000 to fund the department.
Residents will feel the difference in slower response times if the money doesn't come in, Freeport Fire Chief Ben Greenslait said.
"The public's going to suffer," Greenslait said. "Our concerns are that the citizens of Walton County are going to be the ones that suffer. We want the right thing for the right reason."
Chief Brian Coley with Walton County Fire Rescue said a plan has been discussed should Marse limit Freeport's coverage.
"If it happens, the plan will be seamless," Coley said. "We'll move some assets and add some assets. We'll do what we've got to do. The Walton County people don't need to worry. We're going to take care of them."
