Required Reporting
1. The full name of the special district.
San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District
2. The public purpose of the special district. MISSION STATEMENT
Preserving life and property by delivering professional fire and emergency services to our
community through education, training, and commitment.
3. The name, address, email address and the term of each member of the special district governing authority.
The San Carlos Park Fire Board of Commissioners are the only officials elected exclusively by the
registered voters living in the San Carlos Park Fire District. The Board is comprised of five individuals
who oversee the direction of San Carlos Park Fire District and ensure the proper use of tax-payer
dollars for the operation of the Fire District.
The Board is tasked with hiring the Fire Chief and providing the Chief with guidance and oversight.
The Board does not take part in the day-to-day operation of the Fire District or the hiring of
additional employees. Those responsibilities belong to the Fire Chief.
Chairperson
Darleen Hathaway, 4 Year Term
hathaway@sancarlosfire.org
Station 53 address for all correspondence
Vice-Chair
Vacant
Treasurer
Matthew Fields, 4 Year Term
fields@sancarlosfire.org
Station 53 address for all correspondence
Secretary
Steve Tokarz, 4 Year Term
tokarz@sancarlosfire.org
Station 53 address for all correspondence
Commissioner
Mark Stirns, 4 Year Term
stirns@sancarlosfire.org
Station 53 address for all correspondence
4. The fiscal year of the special district.
Fiscal Year October 1 - September 30
5. The full text of the special district's charter (ordinance, resolution, special act, general law or rule of the Governor and Cabinet), the date of establishment, the establishing entity and the stature or statures under which the special district operates if different from the statute or statutes under which the special district was established.
CHAPTER 2000-397 House Bill No. 877 -
An act relating to the San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District, Lee County;
reenacting and codifying chapters 76- 411, 80-521, 84-469, s. 7 of chapter 87-447, s. 1(5) of chapter 88-
545, and chapters 89-494, 94-457, 95-463, 96-458, and 97-320, Laws of Florida, relating to the San Carlos Park
Fire Protection and Rescue Service District, pursuant to s. 191.015, F.S.; providing legislative intent;
providing the status, purpose, and boundaries of the district; providing for charter amendments;
providing for a governing board; providing for powers and duties; providing for compensation and
bonds; providing authority to levy ad valorem assessments; providing authority to establish policies
and regulations; providing for a fire code; providing construction and effect; providing for conflicts;
repealing all prior special acts relating to the district; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the
Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Intent.—Pursuant to section 191.015, Florida Statutes,
this act constitutes the codification of all special acts relating to the San Carlos Park Fire Protection
and Rescue Service District. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a single, comprehensive
special act charter for the district including all current legislative authority granted to the district by its
several legislative enactments and any additional authority granted by this act and chapters 189 and
191, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time. It is further the intent of this act to preserve all
district authority, including the authority to annually assess and levy against the taxable property in
the district a tax not to exceed 3.75 mills on the dollar of assessed valuation as provided in chapter
97-340, Laws of Florida, or chapter 191, Florida Statutes, as they may be amended from time to time,
and as approved by referendum of the qualified electors in the district. Section 2. Codification.—
Chapters 76-411, 80-521, and 84-469, section 7 of chapter 87-447, subsection (5) of section 1 of
chapter 88-545, and chapters 89- 494, 94-457, 95-463, 96-458, and 97-320, Laws of Florida, related to
San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District, are amended, codified, reenacted, and
repealed as provided herein. Section 3.
The San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District is re-created and the charter for such
district is re-created and reenacted to read: Section 1. As used in this act, unless otherwise specified:
(1) “District” means the San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District. (2) “Board” and
“board of commissioners” means the board of commissioners of and for the district. 1 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.(3) “Commissioner” means a member
of the board of commissioners of and for the district. (4) “County” means Lee County. Section 2. District status;
charter amendments; boundaries.— (1) There is created an independent special taxing fire protection
and rescue service district incorporating lands in Lee County described in subsection (3) which shall
be a public corporation having the powers, duties, rights, obligations, and immunities herein set
forth, under the name of the San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District. The district is
organized and exists for all purposes set forth in this act, chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, and
chapters 189 and 191, Florida Statutes. To the extent of any conflict between this act and chapter 97-
340, Laws of Florida, those provisions of chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, shall supersede this act. (2)
The district was created by special act of the Legislature in 1976. Its charter may be amended only by
special act of the Legislature. (3) The lands to be included within the district are the following
described lands in Lee County, Florida: Township 46S, Range 24E: In Township 46 South, Range 24
East, all of Section 1, those portions of Sections 2 and 11 lying East of the waters of Hendry Creek, all
of Sections 12 and 13, and those portions of Sections 14, 23, and 24 lying East of the waters of Hendry
Creek. Township 46S, Range 25E: In Township 46 South, Range 25 East, all of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Sections 13, 14, 23, and 24, less the following described real property: All that part of Sections 13, 14, 23, and 24 being more particularly described as follows: COMMENCING at the west 1 /4 corner of Section 14, Township 46 South, Range 25 East; thence N. 88°41′31″W. along a grid bearing based on State Plane Coordinates West Zone 1983/90 Adjustments for 354.67 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence continue along said grid system in the following 35 courses; thence S.14°12′35″E.1348.50 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 88°27′56″E. 961.61 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set, the POINT OF BEGINNING of the parcel herein described; thence N. 88°27′56″E. 1930.23 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set;
thence N. 47°45′12″E. 1504.15 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 01°42′48″ W. 306.16 feet to a 5 /8″
rebar set; thence N.88°17′12″E. 1027.78 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 03°10′23″ W. 430.68 feet
to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 89°01′42″E. 450.44 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 00°58′18″ E.
320.18 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 88°44′00″ E. 3706.20 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S.
19°49′36″ W. 1336.16 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 02°55′16″ E. 211.28 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 75° 24′23″ W. 644.69feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 01°12′51″ E. 1175.90 Ch. 2000-397 LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2000-3972 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thenceS. 40°23′38″ W. 337.56 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 88°17′12″ E. 566.82 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set;
thence S. 41°03′57″ E. 465.55 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 02°13′31″ E. 339.07 feet to a 5 /8″
rebar set; thence S. 21°20′50″ W. 1025.84 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 62°11′53″ W. 2704.19 feet
to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 31°47′37″ W. 631.23 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 88°17′12″ W. 233.76
feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 87°48′55″ W. 1464.69 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 05°08′14″
E. 497.70 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 54°09′13″ W. 1057.64 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S.
49°19′44″ W. 344.73 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 03°26′59″ E. 196.03 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set;
thence S. 20°50′23″ E. 471.34 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence S. 38°37′17″ W. 273.32 feet to a 5 /8″
rebar set; thence N. 59°16′15″ W. 1233.78 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 03°31′24″ W. 140.92
feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence northerly, 851.92 feet along the arc of a circular curve concave to
the west through a central angle of 24°24′21″ having a radius of 2,000.00 feet and being subtended
by a chord which bears N. 15°43′35″ W. 845.50 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 27°55′45″ W.
854.72 feet to a 5/8″ rebar set; thence northerly, 851.92 feet along the arc of a circular curve concave to the east
through a central angle of 24°24′21″ having a radius of 2,000.00 feet and being subtended by a chord which
bears N. 15°43′35″ W. 845.50 feet to a 5 /8″ rebar set; thence N. 03°31′24″ W. 574.66 feet to the
Point of Beginning of the parcel herein described. And also excluding that certain tract of land in the
Southwest Quarter (SW 1 /4) of Section 23, Township 46 South, Range 25 East, Lee County, Florida,
lying West of I-75 right-of-way line. Said lands containing 62.35 acres, more or less. Township 46S,
Range 26E: In Township 46 South, Range 26 East, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, and Section 20 which lies North of Corkscrew Road, less the following described
property: A tract or parcel of land lying in said Section 5 and Section 8, Township 46 South, Range 26
East more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a found concrete post (3’x3’) (unnumbered)
marking the Southeast corner of said Section 5 thence North 01°08′49″ West along the East line of the
Southeast Quarter (SE 1 /4) of said Section 5 for 3138.22 feet to a found concrete monument (4’x4’) stamped “Starnes and Associates” marking the East quarter (E 1 /4) corner of said Section 5; thence North
01°08′49″ West along the East line of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1 /4) of said Section 5 for 652.25 feet; thence South 88°51′11″ West for 1931.00 feet; thence South 01°08′49″ East for 1791.52 feet; thence South 88°51′11″
West for 719.50 feet; thence South 01°08′49″ East for 1886.91 feet to an intersection with the South
line of said Section 5; thence continue South 01°08′49″ East for 338.07 feet to the North line of Alico
Road (100 feet wide) as monumented and occupied; thence North 88°59′45″ East along the North line
of said Alico Road for 2650.25 feet to the East line of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1 /4) of said Section 8;
thence North 01°04′59″ West along said East line for 232.63 feet to the Point of Beginning. Ch. 2000-
397 LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2000-397 3 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are
additions.(4) Nothing herein shall deny the right of the chief or other governing officials of the district
to render such services to communities adjacent to the land described in subsection (3), or such other
places as from time to time may be deemed desirable. Section 3. Governing board creation; powers,
duties.— (1) The business and affairs of the district shall be conducted and administered by a board of
five commissioners, who shall serve a term of 4 years each. The procedures for conducting district
elections and for qualification of candidates and electors shall be pursuant to chapters 189 and 191,
Florida Statutes, and chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, as they may be amended from time to time. (2)
The board may employ such personnel as deemed necessary for the proper function and operation of
the fire department and establish and maintain emergency medical and rescue response services and
acquire and maintain rescue, medical, and other emergency equipment subject to the provisions of
chapter 401, Florida Statutes. The salaries of fire department and emergency service personnel, and
any other wages, shall be determined by the board. (3) The district shall have and the board may
exercise all the powers and duties set forth in this act, chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, and chapters
189 and 191, Florida Statutes, as they may be amended from time to time. (4) The district shall also
hold all powers, functions, and duties set forth in this act and chapters 189, 191, and 197, Florida
Statutes, and chapter 97- 340, Laws of Florida, as amended from time to time, including, but not
limited to, ad valorem taxation, bond issuance, other revenue-raising capabilities, budget preparation
and approval, liens and foreclosure of liens, use of tax deeds and tax certificates as appropriate for
non-ad valorem assessments, and contractual agreements. The district may be financed by any
method established in this act, chapter 189 or chapter 191, Florida Statutes, or chapter 97-340, Laws
of Florida, as amended from time to time. (5) The methods for assessing and collecting non-ad
valorem assessments, fees, or service charges shall be as set forth in chapters 170, 189, 191, and 197,
Florida Statutes, and chapter 97- 340, Laws of Florida, as amended from time to time. (6) The district’s
planning requirements shall be as set forth in this act, chapters 189 and 191, Florida Statutes, and
chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, as amended from time to time. (7) The district’s geographic boundary
limitations shall be as set forth in this act. (8) Requirements for financial disclosure, meeting notices,
reporting, public records maintenance, and per diem expenses for officers and employees shall be as
set forth in chapters 112, 119, 189, 191, and 286, Florida Statutes, and chapter 97-340, Laws of
Florida, as they may be amended from time to time. Ch. 2000-397 LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2000-397 4
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Section 4. Governing board
organization; compensation and bond.— (1) In accordance with chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, each
elected member of the board shall assume office 10 days following the member’s election. Annually,
within 60 days after the election of new members of said board, the members shall organize by
electing from their number a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer. However, the same member may be both secretary and treasurer. (2) The commissioners shall receive compensation for actual expenses incurred while performing the duties of their office in accordance with general law governing per diem for public
officials. Commissioners may receive compensation for their services in accordance with chapter 97-
340, Laws of Florida, and chapter 191, Florida Statutes, as they may be amended from time to time.
(3) Each commissioner, upon taking office and in accordance with chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, and
chapters 189 and 191, Florida Statutes, shall execute to the Governor for the benefit of the district, a
bond conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the commissioner’s office. The premium for
such bonds shall be paid from the funds of the district. Section 5. Ad valorem taxing authority.— (1)
The board shall have the right, power, and authority to levy millage tax against the taxable real estate
within the district to provide funds for the purpose of this district. However, they shall not exceed $3.75
per $1,000 of net taxable assessed valuation as provided by chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, or chapter
191, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, and as approved by referendum of the qualified
electors in the district. (2) The district shall levy and collect ad valorem taxes in accordance with
chapter 200, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time. Section 6. Board action; authority to
adopt policies and regulations; annual report.— (1) A record shall be kept of all meetings of the board
and in such meetings concurrence of a majority of the commissioners shall be necessary to any
affirmative action by the board. (2) The board may adopt policies and regulations, not inconsistent
with any portion of this act, chapter 191, Florida Statutes, or chapter 97-340, Laws of Florida, as
amended from time to time, as it may deem necessary for the transaction of its business and in
implementing and carrying out the provisions of this act. The board shall have the authority to
provide all things necessary for rescue services and the prevention, extinguishment, and control of
fires in the district. Section 7. Fire code.— The board shall have the right and power to enact a fire
prevention code or ordinance in addition to, but not in conflict with, applicable state and local
building and fire codes. Ch. 2000-397 LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2000-397 5 CODING: Words stricken are
deletions; words underlined are additions.
Section 4. Construction.—This act shall be construed as remedial and shall be liberally construed to
promote the purpose for which it is intended. Section 5. Effect.—In the event that any part of this act
should be held void for any reason, such holding shall not affect any other part thereof. Section 6.
Conflict.—Except as otherwise provided in this act, in the event of a conflict of the provisions of this
act with the provisions of any other act, the provisions of this act shall control to the extent of such
conflict. Section 7. Repeal of prior special acts.—Chapters 76-411, 80-521, and 84- 469, subsection (5)
of section 1 of chapter 88-545,
and chapters 89-494, 94- 457, 95-463, 96-458, and 97-320, Laws of Florida, are repealed. Section 8.
This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. Approved by the Governor May 22, 2000. Filed in
Office Secretary of State May 22, 2000.
6. The mailing address, email address, telephone number and internet website uniform resource locator of the special district.
Contact Us
Alexis McLellan
Public Education Specialist / Information Officer
19591 Ben Hill Griffin Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33913
Office: (239) 267.6039
Email: mclellan@sancarlosfire.org
http://www.sancarlosfire.org/
7. Boundaries Description/Service Area:
The District serves the unincorporated communities of San Carlos Park, Island Park, northern
boundaries of the Village of Estero, and the surrounding residential, commercial, agricultural areas in
southwest Lee County, Florida as well as Florida Gulf Coast University.
The San Carlos Park Fire District is characterized by a developing, tight knit community setting
amongst some of the most sought-after land left in Southwest Florida.
The San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District (San Carlos Park) was created under
Laws of Florida, Chapter 76-411, codified under Chapter 2000-397, as amended as a fire control and
rescue service district responsible for equipping, operating, and maintaining a fire department within
the San Carlos Park Fire District.
San Carlos Park is a political subdivision of the State of Florida in Southern Lee County and operates
pursuant to the above referenced Chapters, as well as Section 191, Florida Statutes.
It is governed by a five (5) member Board of Fire Commissioners which is elected by the San Carlos
Park Districts registered voters.
Under the Board’s direction, a Fire Chief manages San Carlos Park’s five (5) stations within a fifty-
two (52) square mile area and seventy-one (71) total employees.
San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District has both bargaining and non-bargaining
unit employees.
8. Ad Valorum/Millage Rate
2.3590
Max 3.0000
Per Florida Statute Chaper 192, 193, 196
9. The mailing address, email address, telephone number and internet website uniform resource locator of the special district.
Contact Us
Alexis McLellan
Public Education Specialist / Information Officer
19591 Ben Hill Griffin Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33913
Office: (239) 267.6039
Email: mclellan@sancarlosfire.org
http://www.sancarlosfire.org/
10. Adopted Code of Ethics:
Each Fire Commissioner is to complete annually the Code of Ethics Class provided by Florida Institute
of Government. This 4-hour course meets the following requirements and provides a certificate of
completion:
• 1 Hour Open Records
• 1 Hour Open Meetings
• 2 Hours Florida Ethics (Voting and Gift Laws)
11. Special District budget
Can be found under Administrative Services, Fiscal Reports on the department website at Budgets
12. Special District audits
Can be found under Administrative Services, Fiscal Reports on the department website at Audits
13. Regularly scheduled public meetings
Held every second Thursday of each month starting at 6:00 p.m.
14. Public Facilities Report
Public Facilities Report.pdf
15. Final completed audit report & state reporting link
Current district audits can be found at this link Audits
A link to the Department of Financial Services website so the public can view the special district's
Annual Financial Report:
https://apps.fldfs.com/LocalGov/Reports/
(per Section 218.32(1)(g), Florida Statutes - Annual financial reports; local governmental entities)
16. Meeting agenda and related materials
Will be made available on the department website at least 7 days prior to the meeting.
17. Retirement System:
If Applicable, Defined Benefit Retirement System or Plan Information (excluding the Florida Retirement System)
2013-100_SanCarlosParkFire.pdf18. Special District Performance Review:
2025 Performance Measures and Standards Annual Report FS 189.0694 .pdfStrategic Plan-Performance Rev - San Carlos[22].pdf