King County Fire Protection District No. 50 (Skykomish Fire Department) provides emergency medical, rescue and fire protection services to the residents of the communities of Baring, Grotto and Skykomish. Approval of Proposition No. 1 would authorize the District to issue up to $690,000 in general obligation bonds to pay for fire station construction or improvements, acquisition and upgrades to fire trucks, ambulances, lifesaving and firefighter safety and other equipment, and modernization of technology infrastructure for emergency response and basic life support.
Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow the District to make critical facilities improvements to its headquarters building in Skykomish, which requires significant restoration and expansion. Approval of this proposition would also enable the District to acquire and upgrade fire trucks and ambulances, ensure that its firefighter safety equipment meets minimum standards, maintain its EMS equipment at current standards, and upgrade its emergency response apparatus to ensure that it is mechanically safe and sound.
The bonds will be paid from annual property tax levies in excess of regular property tax levies over a period of 20 years. The exact amount of such annual levies will depend on interest rates and property values at the time the bonds are sold. Exemptions from taxes may be available to homeowners who are 61 or older, or disabled, and who meet certain income requirements.
For questions about this measure, contact: James Knisley, Chief, 360-677-2686, skykomishfire@gmail.com
