OKEECHOBEE – Should growth pay for itself?

At the July 13 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, Fire Rescue Chief Earl Wooten said new developments planned in Okeechobee County will mean the county will need more fire stations, equipment and personnel.

Commission Chair David Hazellief said developers of big projects should provide land for fire station and/or funds to help build and equip new fire stations.

“We don’t want to be rude or turn them away, but we need to be more forceful than some of our people have been in the past,” said Hazellief.

Wooten said the developments will be built in phases over more than 10 years.

If Okeechobee County is asked to provide service for the new development planned just west of Buckhead Ridge, they might consider a new fire station closer to the county line. Okeechobee County currently provides fire rescue service to Buckhead Ridge under a contract with Glades County.

If Glades County does not build their own fire station in Buckhead Ridge, Okeechobee County will also ask for more money from Glades County. Currently to serve the additional homes.

Commissioner Kelly Owens said as developments come in the per residence "fire tax" will pay the salaries of additional employees needed to man the  stations.

Commissioner Terry Burroughs said that while Okeechobee County does not have impact fees, they could use development agreements  and negotiate with developers about improvements needed.