In 2003 Fire District 10 voters approved a measure to replace a portion of the property tax with the Fire Benefit Charge. The Fire Benefit Charge is calculated mostly on the size of a structure and its use rather than its value. This system is less susceptible to market fluctuations. This means that critical emergency services remain funded when property values fall, and taxes aren’t over collected when property values rise. The Fire Benefits Charge was designed to allow the Fire Commissioners to charge only what is needed to pay for services, rather than an inflexible flat-rate. The Fire Commissioners have a strong track record of keeping charges below the 2003 rate of $1.50 per thousand of assessed value. The effective rate has been as low as $1.13, but never more than $1.50. In 2009 the effective rate is $1.32. Help your Fire Commissioners continue to provide critical emergency services efficiently, collecting only what is needed each year, by voting YES to RE-AUTHORIZE this system for another six years.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Kevin Murch

KING COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 10

ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON

RESOLUTION 09-03

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF KING COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 10 DECLARING THE INTENT TO CONTINUE A BENEFIT CHARGE; CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING; AND FOR AN ELECTION WITHIN THE DISTRICT OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED IMPOSITION OF A BENEFIT CHARGE ON PERSONAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS TO REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT FOR UP TO SIX YEARS.

WHEREAS, the District is authorized by Chapter 52.18 RCW to establish, impose and collect a benefit charge on assessed personal property and improvements to real property located within the District; and

              WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has determined that the benefit charge, established in conjunction with a lower level of taxes provides the most stable, reliable and cost effective method for financing the operations of the District needed to maintain a satisfactory level of District services; and

              WHEREAS, it is reasonable and necessary that the District continue to impose a benefit charge for the support of its legally authorized activities which will maintain or improve the services provided by the District;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of King County Fire Protection District No. 10 as follows:

1. Benefit Charge.  It is the declared intent of the District to continue to fix and impose a benefit charge on personal property and improvements to real property located within the fire protection district, which have or will receive benefits provided by the fire protection district, to be paid by owners of such properties.

2. Amount.  The benefit charge proposed to be collected in 2010 is a total amount of $2,052,432, which constitutes 25% of the 2010 Operating Budget.  The benefit charge will be set in each preceding calendar year at the conclusion of a public hearing, pursuant to RCW 52.18.060 (2), to be held prior to the year of imposition. In no event shall the service charge be more than 60% of the operations budget for the year in which the benefit charge is to be collected.

3. Effective Date.  The proposed benefit charge would be imposed on the affected property beginning January 1, 2010, if approved by the voters.

4. Notice of Service Charge.  Property owners will be notified in writing the amount of the benefit charge to be imposed each year on each property prior to establishment of a Benefit Charge Review Board pursuant to RCW 52.18.070.

5. Contract for Administration.  The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the District and the Board Secretary of the District are authorized and directed to negotiate a contract with the treasurer of King County to provide for the collection of the benefit charge.  The contract shall establish the fee to be paid by the District to reimburse the County for expenses incurred by the County Assessor and County Treasurer for the collection of the benefit charge, pursuant to RCW 52.18.040

6. Public Hearing.  Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 52.18.060 (1), the Secretary of the District is authorized and directed to schedule a public hearing before the Board of Commissioners to be held to consider the proposal to continue to impose benefit charges for the support of the legally authorized activities of the District to maintain or improve the services afforded in the District.  The Secretary shall cause public notice of the hearing to be published in a legal newspaper circulated within the District no less than 14 days prior to the date of the hearing.  The secretary shall also post a public notice of the hearing at all fire stations within the District.

PROPOSITION: AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED IMPOSITION OF BENEFIT CHARGE

            “Shall King County Fire Protection District No. 10 be authorized to continue to impose benefit charges each year for six years, not to exceed an amount equal to sixty percent of its operating budget, and be prohibited from imposing an additional property tax under RCW 52.16.160?

                YES                                  NO"

                 [  ]                                     [  ]                                               

ADOPTED by the Board of Commissioners of King County Fire Protection District No. 10, Washington, in open public meeting on the 15th day of July, 2009.