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Ballot measures

November 5, 2019 General and Special Election

King County Fire Protection District No. 45

Proposition No. 1

Shall Duvall Fire (King County Fire Protection District No. 45) be authorized 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


Duvall Fire—King County Fire Protection District #45-- is placing a “benefit charge” proposition on the November 5, 2019 ballot, pursuant to RCW 52.18, which allows the benefit charges to fund and maintain fire district operations.  A benefit charge is not a tax and is not based on property valuation, but on the cost of providing service. If approved, the benefit charge, in effect for six years commencing in 2020, will be based on square footage and fire flows for all types of property, utilizing a consistent, industry-accepted formula. 

Historically, the District has used regular tax levies and/or excess levies for maintenance and operations to provide sufficient revenue to maintain services.  During that time the average tax rates have been more than $1.00 per thousand of assessed valuation.  If the benefit charge is approved, the property tax rate will be capped at $1.00 per thousand.    The benefit charge will provide the necessary revenue to maintain services, but on a fairer and more logical basis than a property tax. Benefit charges cannot exceed 60% of the operating budget.

Approval of this proposition would allow the District to maintain the current level of services, while making the charges to citizens fairer.

Duvall Fire provides a wide range of essential fire and life safety services to the residents and businesses of our community. Firefighters respond to fires, emergency medical incidents, motor vehicle accidents, technical rescues, hazardous material incidents and other requests for help. We need stable funding for our emergency services.  Your Yes vote will enable our local fire department to continue to deliver the top quality services they provide now. 

Changing World - In this time of rising property taxes, stable funding sources are essential. The fire benefit service charge will provide the needed stability.

Containing Costs - The fire benefit service charge is approved every 6 years and spreads the cost of emergency services fairly. The charge is not based on the total AV of the whole property; rather the fire flow needs of the structure. Additionally, if passed, the $750,00 due to be collected in 2020 from the 2016 voter approved M&O levy will not be collected from the taxpayers. 

Local Control - The money collected will provide us with stable funding, the ability to plan for future emergency services, and fairness in the collection and distribution of funds for our local fire department. Please Vote Yes!
   
Rick Webber, Jeannine Keltner, Chris Martin

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 (RCW 52.18.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: David Burke, Fire Chief, 425-788-1625, dburke@duvallfire45.com

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