City asks UF for Money for Fire Service

Gainesville residents may not be the ones asked to foot the bill for area fire services. City commissioners voted unamiously Monday to begin drafting a letter to University of Florida President Bernie Machen asking the school to pay for a percentage of the fire services it recieves. Gainesville City Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa says the city is having to explore a number of options to support services usually taken for granted. The city says UF consumes 30 percent of its budget for fire services, around two point nine million dollars. Since U-F is a government organization it is not required to pay taxes for any service. UF Spokeswoman Janine Sikes says the university will continue to be open to discuss the subject, but wants to be treated fairly. The commission's current proposal asks UF to pay for 100 percent of its fire service calls starting in 2012. The commission plans to hold community forums in late June and early July to get citizens input on the issue.

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