Resolution 222-2008
RESOLUTION NO. ~ - 2008
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
DIRECTING THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO
PLACE ON THE NOVEMBER 4, 2008 GENERAL
ELECTION BALLOT A REFERENDUM QUESTION
REGARDING AD VALOREM TAXES TO FUND TRAUMA
STAR; PROVIDING A PROCESS FOR THE COUNTY
COMMISSION TO ACT UPON A FAVORABLE MAJORITY
VOTE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Sheriff obtained a helicopter with the use of forfeiture
funds in 2002 and operated an air ambulance service for trauma victims to be transported rapidly
to trauma care facilities in Miami, saving hundreds of lives; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners appropriated funds to purchase a
replacement helicopter when the original helicopter became so old that maintenance and
replacement parts became cost-prohibitive; and
WHEREAS, the annual costs of operation of TraumaStar, the Sheriff's rapid-transport
air ambulance, has been approximately $1,800,000 per year in excess of revenues collected from
user service fees; and
WHEREAS, State legislature in 2007 and 2008, has limited the collection of ad valorem
taxes by local governments, except by super-majority or unanimous vote by the governing board
or by approval through referendum by the taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that the amount necessary to supplement the
TraumaStar service revenues to keep it operational for trauma scenes throughout the Florida
Keys can be met by less than a .015 mill tax; and
WHEREAS, a running order by the Monroe County Fire Chief designates Mile Marker
95 as the point above which air ambulance service from Miami-Dade County is requested for
trauma scenes, and below which TraumaStar is requested for trauma scenes due to the time
necessary for the respective air ambulance to reach the scene; and
WHEREAS, it is equitable to assess a lower millage in the area above Mile Marker 95
because TraumaStar acts as a secondary provider for trauma scenes in that area and a higher
millage in the area below Mile Marker 95 where it acts as primary provider; and
WHEREAS, the impact of the maximum levy of the proposed surtax on a property with
an assessable value of $350,000 would be $52.50 per year below Mile Marker 95 and $26.25 per
year above Mile Marker 95; and
TramnaStar Funding Referendum
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WHEREAS, a majority vote by the electors still requires local legislation which would
render the measure effective for the November 2009 tax bills for the County's fiscal year ending
September 30, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the annual levy of tax, if approved by the voters and implemented by
subsequent ordinance, will be dependent on the revenue stream that becomes established by
TraumaStar service fees, but will be limited to the millage approved by the voters; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR MONROE
COUNTY that:
Section 1. Referendum.
(a) The proposed levy of an additional ad valorem tax for the purposes of operating TraumaStar
shall be presented to the county electorate by placing the question of approval of the levy of the
surtax on the ballot at a referendum election to be held on November 4,2008.
(b) The Supervisor of Elections of Monroe County shall cause the following question to be
placed on the ballot on November 4, 2008:
LEVY OF EXCESS MILLAGE, AT VARIED RATES, TO OPERAlE TRAUMA STAR
Do you favor legislation, for the purpose of operating TraumaStar, a local government
owned and operated air ambulance, to levy ad valorem tax not to exceed fifteen cents per
$1,000 taxable value below Mile Marker 95, and not to exceed 7'12 cents per $1,000
taxable value from Mile Marker 95 to Miami-Dade County, in addition to the millage
rate allowed by Florida Statute Section 200.185 without voter referendum?
Yes
No
Section 2. Advertisement of Ballot Question.
The County Attorney shall cause to be advertised in a paper of general circulation at least twice,
once in the fifth week and once in the third week prior to the week in which the referendum
election is to be held.
Section 3. Enabling Legislation.
If approved by the referendum election, a public hearing shall be advertised and held for the
County to consider an ordinance to implement the taxation authorized by the voters.
Section 4.
Required Municipal Ordinances and Interlocal agreement with Special District.
If a County ordinance is passed, each municipality which is to be included in the service district
shall pass an ordinance providing for inclusion, and the Key Largo Fire Rescue and Emergency
Medical Services District, for which emergency medical services are not a primary function per
Laws of Florida 2005-329, shall enter into an interIocal agreement with the County for the
service to be available in that jurisdiction.
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Section 5. Effective Date.
This resolution shall be effective on July 28, 2008.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 28th day of July, AD, 2008.
Mayor Mario DiGennaro
Mayor Pro Tern Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Dixie Spehar
Yes
Yes
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: ~J}~ ~
Mayor Mario Di Gennaro
(SEA);),> '.' .'
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O~yi.:kOLHAGE, CLERK
By: ,.0-:, Q~ Q,. \Q~ cvvd1iJ
Deputy Clerk
TraumaStJIr Funding Referendum
MONROE COUNTY ATT
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DANNY L. KOLHAGE
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
DA TE:
July 30, 2008
TO:
Honorable Harry L. Sawyer
Supervisor of Elections
FROM:
Isabel C. DeSantis
Deputy Clerk
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At a Special BOCC meeting held on July 28, 2008, the Board adopted Resolution No.
222-2008 directing the Supervisor of Elections to place on the November 4,2008 General
Election baUot a referendum question regarding ad valorem taxes to fund Trauma Star; providing
a process for the County Commission to act upon a favorable majority vote; and providing an
effective date.
Enclosed is copy of the above-mentioned for your handling. Should you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Cc: County Attorney
BOCC
MeSO
File