Tweaks stall 2nd hearing about fire fee
It looks as if a second public hearing establishing Winter Springs’ fire fee-assessment program won’t take place Monday night as originally planned. City staffers want more time so they can make changes to the proposed program after criticism and questions from commissioners. Bowing to pressure from Tallahassee, Winter Springs dramatically cut its tax rate last year, planning to replace lost revenue with a flat fire assessment fee that could have been up to $256. Problem is, residents in lower-valued homes would end up paying more, not less. Possibilities that city officials are now exploring include an exemption for lower-income households and a lower rate for mobile homes. For everyone else, the rate could be a little lower than originally expected — perhaps $194 — because Winter Springs can use its general fund instead of the fire fee to make some purchases. A proposal should go to the commission Feb. 11. For healthier hearts CVS pharmacies in Seminole County are celebrating Heart Health Month in February by giving free blood and cholesterol screenings. The screenings will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at these stores: Feb. 5 at 1098 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs; Feb. 7 at 130 E. State Road 434, Longwood; Feb. 12 at 1401 Dutch Elm Drive, Altamonte Springs; Feb. 19 at 277 State Road 436, Altamonte Springs, and at 5650 Red Bug Lake Road, Winter Springs; and Feb. 26 at 1030 Lockwood Blvd., Oviedo.
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