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Ballot measures

November 7, 2023 General and Special Election

Valley Regional Fire Authority

Proposition No. 1
Fire Authority Bonds

The Board of Governance adopted Resolution No. 187 concerning voter approval for financing certain capital improvements of the Authority. If approved, this proposition would authorize the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, renovation, equipping, and furnishing of two new fire stations, one existing station (including a new head office), and a logistics and maintenance facility and training grounds, all to be financed by the issuance of not more than $96,500,000.00 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years to be repaid by the annual levy of excess property taxes, all as provided in Resolution No. 187. Should this proposition be approved?

Yes

No


The Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) provides fire and life safety services to the Cities of Algona, Auburn and Pacific. This proposal would finance the Authority’s capital plan through 2026, to construct two new fire stations, one in the City of Pacific adjacent to the border with Algona, and one in North Auburn; rebuild the headquarters response station; and construct a Logistics and Maintenance facility and training grounds. The financing would include land acquisition, construction, equipping and other incidental costs. The projects are expected to be completed over the next three years.

 

If approved, this proposition would authorize not more than $96,500,000 of general obligation bonds. The bonds would mature within 20 years and be repaid from annual property tax levies made in excess of regular property tax levies. The estimated tax rate would be about $0.332 or less per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $12.50 per month for a $450,000 home. Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners. For more information, please call the County Assessor’s Office in your county.

As residents of Algona, Auburn, and Pacific, we rely on Valley Regional Fire Authority for quality fire protection, life safety, and emergency response services.  Proposition 1 will ensure that the VRFA can continue meeting the growing needs of our community. 

 

Using a community based, comprehensive, and data-driven approach, VRFA has developed a capital facilities plan that is designed to improve firefighting and emergency medical service response times for all residents and commercial properties within our service area. The plan incorporates design and construction efficiencies to provide rapid, safe, and dependable fire services out of fire stations that are sited and staffed based on proximity to population centers and known hazards, and includes a new station in the City of Pacific adjacent to the Algona Border, a new station in North Auburn, a rebuild of the existing headquarters station, and improvements to training, support, and maintenance facilities.

 

The cost to an average homeowner of a $450,000 house is estimated to be between $12 and $13 per month.

 

VRFA strongly protects our physical safety and our public dollars.  They serve us well, now it’s our turn to support them.  Please join us by voting “Yes” on Proposition 1.

 

Submitted by: Debbie Christian, George Frasier, Jim Jaques, VoteYesVRFA@gmail.com

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% majority and minimum turnout of 40% of voters casting ballots in last general election (Wash. Const. art. VII, sec. 2(b))

For questions about this measure, contact: Mark Horaski, Chief Financial Officer, (253) 288-5800, finance@vrfa.org

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