New Sunny Hills fire service will apparently need new building - update

CHIPLEY – The new Sunny Hills Fire Service will apparently need a new building. According to information presented at the Monday workshop of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, the existing firehouse is owned by another party.

County Administrator Pete Herbert said that according to the deed on the building that was issued in 1988, there was a 20-year reverter clause stating that if the Sunny Hills Volunteer Fire Department ceased operation within 20 years, then the building would revert to ownership of Sunny Hills developer Deltona. That clause expired in 2008 and Herbert said that Deltona believes that it owns the firehouse.

According to the attached information regarding the deed, the fire house is owned by Sunny Hills Volunteer Fire Department

The BOCC voted on Oct. 22 to award the new fire service contract to Sunny Hills Fire Service. The old contract with SHVFD expires Nov. 30 at 8 a.m.

That means the new provider needs a new building, Herbert said, and the search is underway for first a temporary location and eventually a permanent site if the current firehouse remains unavailable. Herbert said lots could be available near the community center and there have been discussions with Deltona.

“They may end up in temporary housing for up to a year,” Herbert said.

Another question involved fire equipment. Public Service Director Roger Dale Hagan said that on Nov. 30 he would pick up the inventory of equipment owned by the Sunny Hills Municipal Services Building Unit that is run by the BOCC and other County equipment.

That apparently includes two fire trucks that Herbert said were purchased with MSBU finds and that are therefore owned by the County. Talks are underway with Hinson’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department for donation of another truck. Another truck is property of the SHVFD.

Both Hagan and Herbert said there have been no official estimates provided for a new building or fire trucks if needed. A number of possible costs were presented by individuals at the workshop.

Hagan said he has not received a roster from Sunny Hills Fire Service. There has also been no determination of possible changes in insurance rates. Hagan said he expects service to be provided “24/7” as per the contract with the new provider.