Town joins county in giving tax break to fire, ambulance vols

Warwick — Fire and ambulance volunteers throughout the town of Warwick may now get a partial property tax exemption from their town taxes. The Town Board followed the county, which gave the same exemption from county taxes about six months ago. Supervisor Michael Sweeton said giving the exemption to these volunteers still saves the taxpayers much in the long run. “It is estimated we would have a 17-percent rise in property taxes if we didn’t have volunteer EMS and firefighters,” said Sweeton. “We really couldn’t afford this without our volunteers,” Councilman Jim Gerstner noted. “It’s the least we can do for people who drop everything when the alarm sounds,” added Councilman Leonard DeBuck. Warwick Fire Chief Frank Corkum Jr., a 22-year veteran of the department who is serving his sixth year as chief, said he is grateful for the exemption, and views it as much as incentive to get new members as a tax break. “Our lives are busy,” said Corkum. “There are more and more volunteer activities here. I view this as another tool in my bag to entice people to join.” John Jalieski, president of the Florida Fire Department, agreed. “I look at this as incentive rather than a tax break,” he said. Jalieski said there were 584 alarms in Florida in 2005, an average of nearly two each day. In addition, the firefighters perform many other community activities, including monthly blood pressure clinics and Halloween activities. John Rader, chief of the Greenwood Lake Fire Department, also thanked the board. “We need everything we can get in recruitment and retention of volunteers,” Rader said. “We appreciate your efforts.” The new law allows for a 10-percent real property tax exemption for qualified members of volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance services, up to a maximum of $3,000 off a full assessment. The town’s assessor, Richard Hubner, said the actual amount is far less than that since the town is not assessed at full value. Rather, the current equalization rate is about 14 percent. Multiplying the maximum by the equalization rate gives the current reduction as $420. Taking that off an assessment results in about $7 off the town tax and $9 off county taxes, according to Hubner. But every little bit counts. The Florida Union Free School District approved a measure to offer the same exemption for ambulance and fire volunteers in their district. The idea was mentioned at the Warwick School Board budget work session as well. Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard said his board will soon discuss similar legislation. To qualify for the exemption, one must be a certified member of the volunteer group for a minimum of five years, own the property, and have it be their primary residence. Those with 20 years of service receive a lifetime exemption. The deadline for this year’s tax exemption is past. But those who already filled out the county form will automatically be enrolled in the town’s program. Each year, however, the volunteers must complete the paperwork. At the moment, there’s no set figure on how many people would qualify for the tax break, nor how much money will be involved. The reduction will be borne by all other taxpayers. In 2005, the Warwick Fire Department responded to more than 500 calls. The department has 40 members. Sweeton said he hasn’t received any negative comments from other volunteers looking for a similar exemption. “All volunteers are valuable,” said Sweeton. “The difference is if these volunteers didn’t do what they’re doing, the town would have to pay for the service. They train on their own time, spending many nights at classes and training programs. Warwick is blessed. We have a good stock of volunteers.”