LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A new bill is calling for the Fort Myers Beach Fire District and Bonita Springs Fire District to merge into one team, and it’s sparking a lot of controversy.
State Representative Adam Botana came up with the plan, claiming it would save money.
But fire chiefs in both cities want to see proof, and they say it should be up to voters to make changes and not lawmakers.
The Fort Myers Beach Fire District was formed back in the 1940s by voters who wanted their own district at that time. Since then, it’s been modified several times. Fire Chief Scott Wirth said any plans to merge the district with anyone else would be taking away the rights of the voters.
NBC2 has requested studies that would show the savings the merger would create; however, State Representative Adam Botana hasn’t provided them.
“Every time you combine these districts, and you make them one big district, you lose that say in how that service is provided,” Chief Wirth said.
That is just one reason Wirth is opposing the merger. He also said no figures have been presented to indicate if it will save any money at all.
According to Florida Statute 189.075, a study is one of the requirements to complete any merger.
“If we can save a few bucks here and there, why not? It’s going to make our community healthier,” Botana said.
He said, ultimately, a merger would be up to his fellow lawmakers, who must decide during an upcoming delegation meeting on the campus of FSW whether to endorse his bill.
“Jennifer Persons-Mulicka has to decide if she wants to put it up or not,” Botana said.
Persons-Mulicka chairs the delegation.
“The most important thing is to hear from the people in the two districts who will be directly affected,” Persons-Mulicka stated.
Bonita Springs Fire Chief Gregory DeWitt said he is neutral on the merger but would ultimately like to see voters decide the matter after a study on the issue is conducted.
Botana plans to file his bill to merge the two districts on October 16. The public will have input on Oct. 30 at the campus of FSW.