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REFERENDUM
Independent Fire Control & Rescue District
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What's the referendum about?

In simple language the referendum is asking voters whether they are willing to pay slightly higher taxes to have their fire, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and ambulance service controlled by a 5-member Board of District residents, rather than by the Sumter County Commissioners.

The Florida Legislature unanimously approved the District and Governor DeSantis signed it into law.  This referendum provides the funding without which the district will not be created.

The language on the ballot is almost incomprehensible, but you can see it HERE.


Who votes on the referendum?

Property owners who live in the Sumter County portion of The Villages, as well as some adjacent areas.  

Non-Village Sumter County residents whose fire and EMS service in the past was provided by the Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD) are likely within the District boundaries as well.  Non-Village residents can confirm their status by calling Public Safety at (352) 205-8280.

​What You Need To Know
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What a Yes-Vote and a No-Vote mean

• Who makes the decision regarding fire protection, EMS, and ambulance transport service?
• How will fire protection, EMS and ambulance transport service be funded?
• ​If I pay the District for Fire, EMS and ambulance service, will my Sumter County taxes decrease proportionately?
• What entity will provide ambulance transport service?

If you can't answer these questions, click HERE.


What Organizations Support the Referendum

• IAFF  - International Association of Fire Fighters
• VHA - Village Homeowner Advocates

What Organizations Oppose the Referendum

• POA - Property Owners Association

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Arguments For and Against the referendum

​SUPPORTERS SAY

• Villagers have unique needs so they need a Board comprised of Village residents to make decisions
• The issues with ambulance service has been resolved for now, but if the referendum fails, Sumter County Commission could reconsider having VPSD provide ambulance service.
• ​The tax increase will be minimal.
• ​District Board will all be Villagers who understand our needs.
  
• ​​The referendum caps the millage rates.  They cannot be increase without another referendum.  There is not cap on the millage rates for Sumter county.

OPPONENTS SAY

• It creates another layer of bureaucracy.   The Sumter County Commission can represent our needs
• ​The issues with ambulance is resolved.  In 2023, whether the referenda passes or fails, ambulance service will be provide by VPSD.
• ​Taxes will be higher for the same level of service.
• Initially, the Board will be appointed by the governor to staggered terms.  The Developer will be instrumental in the selection.
• The base for the 0.75 millage proposed in the Referendum is based on Relative Improvement Value. (i.e., Market Value minus Property Value.)  Sumter taxes are based on Taxable Value (Assessed Value minus Exemptions)  Assessed Value cannot increase more than 3% a year; there is no restriction on Market Value.

What is the anticipated tax increase if the referendum passes?
If the referendum passes, the taxes you currently pay to Sumter County for these services, will be paid to the District.   As a result, Sumter County's budget will be reduced by an estimated $13 million, so your Sumter Property Tax will go down.  The question is:  will the reduction in Sumter Property Tax cancel out the amount you will pay the District?

Almost.   VPSD estimates the taxes for people living in villas, ranch homes and designer homes will increase by $20 to $100 a year.

Why will they go up at all?  If our taxes are simply sent to the District instead of Sumter County, shouldn't we pay the same amount?  That would seem logical, but it's not quite that simple as these nitty-gritty details explain.  Warning:  The explanation is math-based.


​Forget averages!  How much will MY taxes increase?
We cannot give you a specific answer because there are two variables that are unknown at this time:

• How much will Sumter decrease its millage rate?
• Will the District exercise the option of taxing us more than the standard annual assessment?  And if so, how much?  

If you provide your best guess to these two unanswered questions along with the Market Value, Taxable Value and Land Value of your home, we will email you the estimated tax increase within 24 hours.   Our Best Guess Estimator will do the math for you and we will help you find the information you need.


Setting the Record Straight
The League neither supports nor opposes the referendum.  However, we are concerned about misrepresentation of the facts that are circulating and want voters to be aware of the following false or misleading statements:

• The initial five-member Board of the Fire District is appointed by the Governor.  They can raise our Fire Taxes, make long term agreements with the Developer, borrow millions or issue bonds, etc.   What if they raise our Fire Taxes 25%?  There is nothing we can do about it.
• A $124 flat fee per parcel is totally unfair to homeowners when commercial properties are paying the same fee.
• A 0.75 mil on improvements on your property, which is your Market Value minus Land Value is also unfair to homeowners because commercial properties have much higher land value, therefore their deduction from the Market Value is much higher, lowering their tax burden and in turn increasing the tax burden on homeowners. 
• The County should ideally reduce our taxes by the amount of increase in taxes in the Fire District, but they are not doing it.

To see all the facts in one document, click HERE

For additional information on the referendum as well as the three Florida Amendments and the candidates on the ballot, check out our online voter guide:  Vote411