Nonprofits express concern over Lehigh Acres fire assessment fee

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.- Some local non-profits are concerned they’ll have to pay a fire assessment fee approved in 2014.

The problem is, they were under the impression they wouldn’t have to pay a penny.

“I thought that I understood it,” said Jere Carrick, president of the Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres.

He says he was told non-profits would not have to pay the fire assessment fee that voters passed last year. Now, he’s afraid he will get a bill.

“I hope that it doesn’t happen because it would affect us directly,” said Carrick.

The fire assessment looks at a buildings usage, rather than who owns it. What brought this to light was the Kiwanis thrift store on Homestead Avenue.

While owned by a non-profit, it’s listed with the county as retail. It may receive a bill because of that classification unless the organization changes it’s status, which they can do.

“The fire district does not have any ability to fix that for them,” said Chief John Wayne.

Wayne says non-profits will need to reach out to the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office so the necessary changes can be made to make sure any non-profit is exempt.

It’s a bumpy process that Chief Wayne says he was ready for.

“It’s a new process we’re all going to have to get used to. We know that there’s going to be parcels that are going to slip through the cracks, and we’re going to fix them.”

Notices on how much people owe will be sent out by May 5.

If something is wrong on the notice, changes can be made and the fire chief says his department will be there to assist.

On May 26 there will be a public hearing at Station #4 in Lehigh Acres. If by then you have questions about the new assessment, you are encouraged to attend.