What Our Citizens Need to Know about the Oldsmar Annexation

By the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District

Dear Citizens,

As you may know, the City of Oldsmar has initiated a Municipal Annexation to one of the high valued areas in East Lake, including the East Lake Woodlands Subdivision, Shoppes of Boot Ranch and the East Lake Woodlands Shopping Center.  But, what you may not realize is the extent of the impact on your area.

A voluntary annexation was not sought by the City of Oldsmar. In a letter to the East Lake Blister, District 48 Representative Peter Nehr states, “First is that this ‘referendum election’ proposal did not come from a citizen initiative.  I normally support ideas that arise from my constituent, but this proposal originated from a member of the OIdsmar City Council.  You still have to make your own decision, but you need to know how this idea originated.”

The Mayor of Oldsmar stated that additional revenue was a significant part of their consideration to annex the area. For example, the proposed increase in millage rate from the City of Oldsmar, will result in higher costs for residents and increased revenue for Oldsmar. An increase in franchise fees for electricity, storm water drainage and communication will bring further financial gain to Oldsmar from East Lake residents. 

Other fees should also be carefully examined, including waste disposal, homeowners fees and recreation fees.  For example, if you are still under contract with a private vendor for waste removal, your contract must expire before the City of Oldsmar will provide service.  A close examination of potentially increasing homeowner’s fees is also important. Individuals currently using recreation fees will realize a savings as long as they use it.  Once the service is not utilized, the savings are lost.  Non-users do not experience any savings.  It is a user fee; $15 for a family and $5 for individuals.  Oldsmar’s ‘one size fits all’ version of a cost analysis does not apply to all property owners.  For a more accurate analysis, Pinellas County has a worksheet available at www.PinellasCounty.org/news.htm. 

Continued emergency service provided by the Fire District is also a serious consideration.  The Fire District currently has three 24/7 Advanced Life Support engines based throughout the Fire District with Station 56 as the primary response unit for the East Lake Woodlands subdivision.  Families who have needed our service certainly know the value of having us located right next to the subdivision. 

In order for Station 56 to continue to serve East Lake Woodlands, the City of Oldsmar proposes an interlocal agreement with the Fire District.  This agreement, as presented, has no terms and no time frame, but includes provisions to terminate the contract without cause.  We believe such an agreement is not in the best interest of the residents of East Lake.

We strongly encourage you to review the Urban Services Report  which outlines the City of Oldsmar’s proposed service capabilities to the annexation area.  The document is littered with words and phrases such as “will eventually” and “may also” and “future.”   Further, the City does not support their proposed municipal services with any studies.  We believe an initiative of this magnitude warrants firm commitments from the City of Oldsmar. 

For the first time in Pinellas County, this election is being conducted by a mail-in ballot. Florida Statue requires a municipality sponsoring an annexation of an Independent Fire District to hold two public hearings.  The public hearings are in place so voters can voice their positions on the issue.  The second reading for the annexation of East Lake Woodlands was held February 3, 2009 after ballots were mailed overseas on January 23, 2009.

The proposed annexation is a very important issue and there has been much misstated information by the proponents of the issue.  Please review the Urban Services Report and all other information carefully.  Remember, once the choice is made, annexation cannot be reversed.

Your vote counts!  Please take the time to mail in your ballot before March 10, 2009.

Board of Fire Commissioners

East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District