Latest news with #Kissimmee
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kissimmee approves firefighter schedule overhaul, adds property fee to fund plan
The Brief Kissimmee firefighters will soon work 24 hours on, 72 off — a Central Florida first. The city will hire 49 more firefighters and charge property owners to fund it. Leaders say it's about morale and retention; critics worry about cost burdens. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Kissimmee Fire Department is set to become the first in Central Florida to adopt a 24/72 shift schedule, offering firefighters an extra day of rest without a pay cut — a move city officials say will improve morale and retention, though it comes at a cost to property owners. What we know Kissimmee city commissioners approved a measure Tuesday for a yearly fire assessment paid by property owners citywide. Every property owner will pay a base $105 assessment per property plus 56¢ per $1,000 of improvements per property. It takes effect in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The city said the reason for the assessment is to increase public safety by hiring 49 new firefighters. The new hires will allow the city to give firefighters an extra day of rest. Instead of the current 24 hours on 48 hours off, KFD will move to 24 hours on 72 hours off. KFD will become the first department in Central Florida to use the new shift schedule. Only a handful of other departments are on the 24-72 schedule statewide, including Gainesville. The chief expects the change will boost morale, improve recruitment and promote retention. What we don't know It remains to be seen how the new assessment will affect the local housing market, especially renters. City leaders haven't detailed whether additional funding mechanisms will be needed long-term to sustain the expanded staff. By the numbers Starting in the next fiscal year on Oct. 1, property owners will be charged a base fee of $105 per parcel, plus an additional 56 cents for every $1,000 in property improvements. For a typical homeowner, that could mean about $200 annually. The city expects the assessment to generate $6.1 million. What they're saying The City Commission voted 4-1 Tuesday to implement the new schedule, which will reduce firefighters' average workweek from 56 to 42 hours. The change will require the city to hire 49 additional firefighters, prompting the approval of a new fire services assessment to cover the $6 million price tag. "This is truly the best option to give us the best recovery, to give the best time with our families, and to truly help the citizens of Kissimmee," KFD firefighter and union president Joshua Clark said. "It will keep [firefighters] from going to other fire departments, so we'll have five-year, 10-year, 15-year firefighters," KFD Chief Jim Walls said. "That benefits the whole citizenry when you have a 15-year firefighter paramedic taking care of your family than constantly having 2 or 3-year firefighters taking care of your family." "We keep growing as a community," Mayor Jackie Espinosa said. "Our city keeps expanding, and we just need to be ahead of it." "The things that I've seen, the heartbreaking stories that my husband has spared me from, the emotional weight that they carry home, these are burdens most of us will never truly understand," one KFD firefighter's wife said during public comment. The other side A handful of property owners asked commissioners why the city couldn't find funding elsewhere. "I want to understand why it's not already included in what we pay already for taxes," one homeowner said. "Congratulations, you guys have put us in a stranglehold with our taxes," one man said. Commissioner Carlos Alvarez III was the only one to vote against the assessment. "I think it's going to be a burden to renters, real estate folks and property owners," Alvarez III said." What's next The city expects to hire the 49 firefighters in two phases. The chief said the goal is for them to be on the streets by April 1, 2026. Property owners will see the assessment starting this next fiscal year. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35 News attended the Kissimmee City Commission meeting on June 3. The crew spoke with city officials for data on the story and heard from speakers during public comment. The crew also conducted several interviews of stakeholders.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Osceola man charged in connection to series of retail thefts
A man from Osceola County accused of repeatedly stealing from a Lowe's in Kissimmee multiple times is now in jail. According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Edwin Ibanez stole from the store six times between March 27 and April 28. The store's surveillance footage revealed his vehicle and license plate, which assisted detectives in identifying him. Ibanez was arrested during a traffic stop where officers determined that Ibanez was driving with a suspended license and had an active warrant for violation of probation. Deputies also discovered he had an outstanding warrant from Pinellas County. Ibanez confessed to all six reported thefts and admitted selling the stolen merchandise for profit. He has been transported to the Osceola County Jail, where he faces the following charges: two counts of grand theft, four counts of petit theft, six counts of dealing in stolen property and driving while his license is suspended. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Man arrested, charged in series of retail thefts from Lowe's in Kissimmee
A man has been arrested and confessed to a string of thefts of merchandise from the Lowe's home improvement story in Kissimmee, the the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. In a Saturday news release, the agency said that on Thursday deputies arrested Edwin Ibanez, 55, and booked him into jail for grand theft (felony, two charges), petit theft (misdemeanor, four charges), dealing in stolen property (felony, six charges) and driving while license suspended. As of Saturday evening he remained in the Osceola County Jail with a total bond of $37,250. On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office received a delayed report regarding a series of retail thefts that occurred at the Lowe's at 4420 Pleasant Hill Road, according to the news release. Loss Prevention personnel reported six separate theft incidents taking place between March 27 and April 2 Store surveillance footage captured the suspect vehicle, including the license plate, which aided detectives in identifying the him as as Ibanez, the Sheriff's Office said. Investigators later determined Ibanez was driving with a suspended license and had an active warrant for violation of probation out of Pinellas County. On Thursday, members of the South Property Crimes Unit conducted surveillance and observed Ibanez operating the vehicle, the agency said. With the assistance of patrol units, a traffic stop was conducted near Old Pleasant Hill Road and Cypress Parkway and Ibanez was taken into custody without incident. After he was read his Miranda rights, Ibanez confessed to all six reported thefts and selling the stolen merchandise for profit, the news release said. No additional information was provided by the Sheriff's Office or available in court records.
Fox News
6 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Florida man shot after pointing BB gun that resembled 'realistic-looking' rifle at officers: police
A Florida man was shot after pointing a "BB gun that resembled a realistic-looking rifle" at officers in the Orlando area, police said. Matthew Wagner, 20, was hit with gunfire midday Thursday in Kissimmee when police responded to a "911 call for a man armed with a rifle" near a shopping center, according to Chief Charles Broadway. "Upon arriving on scene, our officers encountered an individual holding a rifle. Our officers gave several verbal commands and warnings to put the rifle down," Broadway said. "The subject then pointed this rifle at the officers and at that time, the officers were forced to shoot the subject to defend themselves and others in the area. The officers immediately started to render aid until EMS arrived to transport the subject to a local hospital," he added. Broadway said Wagner is in stable condition following the shooting. The three police officers involved have now been placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney's Office are reviewing the incident. "Right now, we do not have a motive and do not know why the individual pointed the rifle at our officers, but I'm thankful that none of our officers were injured and I want to acknowledge the quick actions of our officers who responded under such a high-pressure circumstance," Broadway continued. "An early review of the evidence found the rifle to be a BB gun that resembled a realistic-looking rifle," he also said. It's unclear if Wagner will face charges. "I [saw] a young man with a gun in his hand… and he looked like he was looking up at the trees," witness Dexter Brown told Fox35 Orlando. "He was walking very slow... like he was hunting for birds or squirrels or whatever. I don't know what it was." The station reported that the BB rifle is a Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder.
Hospitality Net
6 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Brahim Ait Daoud has been appointed General Manager at Westgate Vacation Villas & Town Center Resort in Kissimmee
Westgate Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Brahim Ait Daoud as the new general manager of Westgate Vacation Villas & Town Center Resort, located in Kissimmee, Florida. With more than 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ait Daoud brings a proven record of strategic leadership, operational excellence and guest satisfaction. Most recently, he served as general manager at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, where he led a team of over 700 employees, managed a $70 million operations budget and oversaw multimillion-dollar renovations—all while significantly improving guest satisfaction and employee retention. Ait Daoud has earned multiple "Leader of the Year" honors and was named 2022 Portfolio General Manager of the Year for guest experience across the Westgate portfolio. Fluent in English, Spanish, French and Arabic, he is certified in both community association management and real estate sales, bringing a global perspective and deep operational expertise to his new role. This appointment reflects Westgate's ongoing commitment to developing talent from within for internal advancement and fostering a leadership culture that spans coast to coast.
