Thank you for supporting our fire levy lid lift. In 2017, voters returned the fire levy to $1.42 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This was critical to maintaining emergency services levels for our growing community and included additional staffing at Station 32, improving our training program, and replacing apparatus. These actions helped us maintain our insurance rating, which is linked to the amount property owners pay in premiums. We appreciate the support of our community and will continue to report back on how we are using these resources to save lives and property. 2017 Fire Levy THANK YOU FROM CHIEF STEVE WRIGHTSON: Clark County Fire District 3 is grateful for community support of a fire levy lid lift request on the November ballot. We had hoped it would pass, but over 60% was more than we could have anticipated. Thank you for this show of support. Now the real work begins to make sure you know that we are good stewards of your tax dollars. Fire District 3 will report back as to how the revenue is used to replace apparatus and equipment, maintain emergency service levels and our community’s insurance rating. We will continue to share information with you through our newsletter, Facebook page, website, and the news media.
Again, thank you for this vote of confidence. We look forward to sharing information with you in the near future. Steve Wrightson Fire Chief LEVY INFORMATION Voters in Clark County Fire District 3 were asked to approve a 13-cent fire levy lid lift during the November General Election to fund emergency operations. The Board of Fire Commissioners held two public meetings before passing the resolution unanimously June 12. With the passing of the levy lid lift, Fire District 3 plans to use the funding to maintain emergency service levels and its insurance rating, which impacts homeowner insurance premiums. Since 2007, emergency calls have increased almost 40 percent (approximately four percent per year) in the fire district alone (excludes Battle Ground), as have costs for apparatus and facilities maintenance, equipment and supplies, and personnel. In contrast, the fire district was limited to a 1% revenue increase per year by state law.
Fire District 3 has been supplementing the cost of daily operations with emergency reserves for the past few years, which is no longer sustainable. The fire district serves 40,000 people including Battle Ground. Response times are starting to increase, which could downgrade the fire district’s insurance rating and cause premiums to rise for businesses and homeowners. The fire levy has fallen from $1.42 to $1.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value. With the approval by the voters, the fire levy will be restored to $1.42 per $1,000. That equates to an additional $4.33 per month ($52 per year) for a property valued at $400,000.
The maximum amount a fire district can ask for by the law is $1.50 per $1,000, but the district didn't feel they needed that much to maintain sevices. MORE INFORMATION
Clark County Fire District 3 is planning two meetings to share information about a proposed fire levy lid lift, which is on the November 7 General Election ballot. Community members with questions are invited and encouraged to attend: · Monday, October 23, 6:00 p.m. (District Headquarters Station, 17718 NE 159th ST, Brush Prairie, WA 98606) · Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. (Station 33, 18209 NE 259th St., Battle Ground, WA 98604)
Also, answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. IN THE NEWS The Reflector - November 14, 2017 North County Election Results http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_4d9a1d2a-c996-11e7-b449-5b3491981a13.html The Reflector - October 24, 2017 Wrightson reflects on fire chief career http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_23420be6-b910-11e7-a291-a7e6bf2e5794.html The Columbian - October 13, 2017 Fire District 3 to Field Levy Questions http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/oct/13/fire-district-3-to-field-levy-questions/ The Columbian - June 24, 2017 Letter: Maintain robust fire service http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jun/24/letter-maintain-robust-fire-service The Reflector - June 20, 2017 Fire District 3 moves to extinguish emergency reserve losses http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_2e7c3994-5607-11e7-bcdd-43d5a9f40df9.html The Reflector - March 21, 2017 Fire chief asks for input on levy lid lift http://www.thereflector.com/opinion/article_11672da2-0e84-11e7-9613-0b14d0b6c411.html The Columbian - February 20, 2017 Budget for Fire District 3 strained because of workload Increase in service calls could lead to proposal to life levy lid http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/feb/20/budget-for-fire-district-3-strained-because-of-workload/ The Reflector - February 1, 2017 Contract with BG improves FD3’s emergency response timesThe Reflector - November 29, 2016 Clark County Fire District 3 remains debt-free while facing high demands http://www.thereflector.com/article_073d69b0-b68f-11e6-be72-cfe4073b3aa0.html MEDIA RELEASES: Fire District 3 seeks invitations to speak to community groups about levy lid lift - August 31, 2017 Fire District 3 stretches tax dollars with further grants, Battle Ground partnership - July 19, 2017 Board of Fire Commissioners passes resolution for fire levy lid lift - June 13, 2017 Board of Fire Commissioners will consider resolution for fire levy lid lift - May 11, 2017 Fire District 3 develops contingency plan for possible fire levy lid lift - April 19, 2017 Calls for fire and medical emergencies increase 40 percent - February 16, 2017
Fire District 3 and Battle Ground reflect on one year partnership - January 20, 2017
28 Years of Clean Audits for Fire District 3 – December 16, 2016 |
FUNDING >