Orange Park to levy fire service tax

A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Orange Park Town Hall on a resolution to create a "municipal service benefit unit" or MSBU,  to fund the town's fire department in 2008.

This means tax-exempt organizations --  like Moosehaven, Baptist/St. Vincent's, churches and day care centers -- would all have to pay an annual fee for fire and rescue services.

This action comes as a reaction to state cut-backs. This would remove the fire department's budget from the general fund which reduces funds necessary from ad valorem taxes. Every entity in the town would be assessed under the proposed plan.

Councilman Steve Jones said he was concerned about hitting non-profits with a giant tax bill.

Town manager John Bowles said he'd meet with all affected entities and give them plenty of time to adjust their budgets. Bowles said many municipalities have used MSBUs for years and that Clay County is also heading in that direction.

In other business:

The council voted 4-1 to spend $350,000 to buy a fire truck to replace a 25-year-old truck. Bowles said the new truck was a good deal. Plus, he hopes the purchase will ultimately improve the town's fire rating and bolster the defense of the MSBU.

"Why do we need another fire truck" asked Councilman Pete Morgan, the dissenting vote. "I feel blind sided by this."

Bowles said the town is required to have three trucks. Currently, it has a new ladder truck, a 25-year-old engine and an 8-year-old engine. 

The council rezoned a 2.4-acre lot at 1567 Kingsley Avenue to allow for construction of a bank and office complex.