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Fire Levy

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.

Promises Made, Promises Kept

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.