Umatilla Joins Cities Opposed To New Sheriff Dispatch Fee

    The City of Umatilla is joining municipalities from throughout Lake County in opposing a plan by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to begin imposing fees associated with 911 dispatch services.
   The sheriff's office has proposed a $12 per person fee for each person living inside the city limits of municipalities that receive dispatch from the sheriff's office. In Umatilla, that could result in a nearly $40,000 annual bill. Umatilla has joined with Howey-in-th-Hills, Mascotte, Astatula, and Fruitland Park in opposing the move, and on Tuesday night the Umatilla City Council approved a resolution in opposition to the move.
   The cities have cited state statutes that appear to prohibit such a move. Florida Statute 125.01 (7) states: No county revenues, except those derived specifically from or on behalf of a municipal service taxing unit, special district, unincorporated area, service area, or program area, shall be used to fund any service or project provided by the county when no real and substantial benefit accrues to the property or residents within a municipality or municipalities.
   The sheriff’s office is funded by the county’s general fund, which is made up of taxpayer dollars. Citizens of cities already pay into that county general fund, leaving some to think an extra fee amounts to double taxation.
   In a letter sent to the Lake County Commission, the cities make the argument: “If the Sheriff’s agreement becomes mandatory for the Municipalities, county residents will pay once for the dispatch service, but residents of the municipalities will pay twice: The residents and taxpayers of unincorporated Lake County will pay their countywide millage and their E911 fees. The residents and taxpayers of the Municipalities will pay the same countywide millage, plus the same E911 fees, but also the $12 per capita fee.”
   Florida law provides a potential remedy to the cities, including a first step of approving the resolution opposed followed by submitting it to the county. The county then has 90 days to respond either by taking action to prohibit the plan from taking effect, or rejecting the city's position and explaining why the fee is legally permissible. Should the latter occur, it is unknown if the cities will pursue further legal action.