Midway residents Tuesday gave their local fire officials the OK to raise the tax millage rate by two-tenths of a percent in 2013 and annually over the next 10-12 years.

The Midway Fire Millage Tax Referendum passed by a vote of 2,215 to 1,913 as citizens in six precincts agreed to help ensure that Midway Fire District can maintain its facilities and current level of fire and emergency rescue services that remain at 2005 levels.

Subsequent annual increases would have to pass a super majority (minimum of a 4-1 vote) of the five-person Midway Fire Commission, whose members are elected or appointed every four years. Some tax bills would nearly triple from current levels if increases are approved annually through the life of the expressed referendum.

Critics worried that the referendum’s wording allows the tax rate to be raised yearly in increments of .2 percent until it reaches the state cap of 3.75 mils – which mathematically could occur in 11 to 12 years.

The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce declared its support for the referendum on Jan. 20 but expressed concern about the open-ended nature of the wording. The organization said it would monitor the annual budget processes at Midway Fire and possibly oppose future rate increases if the Chamber deems them unfavorable for the business community.

MFD officials promised that future decisions to increase the tax rate annually will only be approved if absolutely necessary.

Supporters of Midway Fire used social media such as Facebook to urge friends and relatives to support the referendum. Officials staged two town hall meetings to address citizens’ concerns, and administrators spoke to homeowners associations and civic groups over a period of several months to build support.

MFD is facing a budget shortfall of $324,000 this year and a projected shortfall of $325,000 for fiscal 2012-13. It also is facing $85,000 less in ad valorem tax revenues this fiscal year because of an additional 55 percent reduction in taxable revenues.

In the other ballot issue, the Florida Presidential Preference Primary, eyes were on Gulf Breeze Precinct 22, which has sided with the eventual Republican nominee during the past two major elections.

On Tuesday, Gulf Breeze voters sided with Mitt Romney over Newt Gingrich by a count of 634 to 414.