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Ballot measures

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Ballot measures

November 5, 2013 General and special election

King County Fire Protection District No. 44

Proposition No. 1
Levy of General Tax for Maintenance and Operations

The Board of King County Fire Protection District No. 44 adopted Resolution No. 13-487 concerning a proposition to adequately finance maintenance and operation costs.

This proposition provides for the support of fire protection and emergency medical services, facilities, maintenance, staffing and operations by authorizing the District to levy excess taxes in the amount of $650,000.00 per year for four consecutive years beginning in 2013 to be collected in each year following at an approximate levy rate of $0.31 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation (the actual rate will be based on assessed values).

Should this proposition be approved?

Yes

No


If approved by the voters, the Fire District will be authorized to levy a maintenance and operations excess levy in the sum of $650,000.00 per year to be collected in 2014 through 2017. Such levy will be in addition to the District’s regular and EMS tax levies for a temporary four-year period. Based on current assessed property valuations the District estimates that the tax levy rate necessary to generate these funds each year will be approximately $0.31 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. In subsequent years the levy rate will decrease if assessed property values increase.

Declining assessed property values have caused the District’s revenue to drop $1,850,151.00 from 2008 to 2013. During this same period, the cost of specialized equipment, personnel training, and supplies required by various laws, codes and standards have increased. Due to the decrease in revenues, the District will not be able to maintain current staffing and service levels within the limitations of the District’s regular tax levy. The proposed maintenance and operations levy funds will be used to maintain service levels and retain firefighters.

If the levy is approved, the additional maximum tax per $100,000.00 assessed valuation is estimated not to exceed approximately $31.00 each year or an additional $2.58 per month for fire protection and emergency medical services.

For additional questions regarding this measure contact: Gregory Smith - Fire Chief 253-735-0284 • info@kcfd44.org

" Due to a 39% drop in revenue, fire stations that have previously been staff during the day, will often be closed and responses to medical emergencies may take longer.  “ The passage of this levy is essential!  In the past,   the District has met our needs with statutory funds based on property value.  Due to the 39 % decline in assessed valuation of property in our district, the district needs our support.  This need will be short-term (four years) as property values are expected to increase.

As your neighbors, we encourage you to vote "YES" for this levy.  The Fire District has been there for us when loved ones have had heart attacks, when our children have sustained serious injuries, when our homes have been consumed with fire--we need to support the district now so that they will continue to provide the level of service we need. 

We are blessed with a district that exceeds county and national average in heart attack survival rates--this is due to response time, skill and training.  We need to support this levy to continue the current level of service.  It is also critical that the eight schools in our district have timely emergency response from trained professionals.

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We ask you to please vote "YES" and mail in your ballot!"

Citizens for Fire District 44

Statement submitted by: Linda S. Cown and Monroe Shropshire

No statement submitted.

Statements in favor of and in opposition to a ballot measure are submitted by committees appointed by the jurisdiction. No persons came forward to serve on the committee and to write a statement in opposition. If you would like to be involved with a committee in the future please contact the jurisdiction.

60% Yes vote with a minimum number of 2,390 yes votes (Washington Constitution, article VII, section 2(a))

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