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Fire levy lift faces strong opposition

by Pat Grubb

If the standing room only crowd at the townhall meeting has anything to do with it, the fire district’s levy increase will go down in flames at next Tuesday’s election.

Fire administrators and the two fire commissioners in favor of the levy increase, Jesse Lofquist and Don Frantz, were met with rancorous opposition to the levy and plans to amalgamate with fire districts 3 and 13.

Voters are being asked to approve an increase in funding from $.78701 per $1,000 property valuation to $1.44 per $1,000, an increase of 83 percent. Also on the ballot is a county-wide Emergency Medical Levy request of $0.385 per $1,000 valuation that would deliver $96,965 to the Point Roberts fire district if passed. The EMS levy requires the approval of 60 percent of county residents. If both measures pass, Point Roberts residents would pay a total of $1.82 per $1,000 valuation taking them from amongst the lowest taxed for fire and emergency services to the top five highest taxed districts. If both levies were to pass, the owner of a $125,000 house and lot would pay $228.13 annually, up $129.75 from the previous $98.37, an increase of 132 percent.

The meeting, held October 16 in the community center, began with a Powerpoint presentation given by fire administrator Dave Crossen. Crossen began by noting “The reality is that it’s just an informational meeting, nothing is going to change.”

Many of the audience’s objections to the levy increase involved the proposed amalgamation with the other fire districts in the Northwest Whatcom Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS). In order to merge, Point Roberts taxpayers would be required to pay the same tax rate as other districts; that is, $1.44 per 1000. NWFRS is currently operating under an interlocal agreement that expires in the fall of 2004.

Both commissioners Jess Lofquist and Don Frantz gave a spirited defence of belonging to NWFRS despite recent financial problems. “I still think it’s a good idea.” Fellow commissioner Bill Meursing who voted against the levy increase is also against remaining in NWFRS. “Let’s cancel the date, let’s not get married,” he said to the general amusement of the audience.

Frantz and Lofquist maintained the tax increase would allow the fire district to offer EMS 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Numerous audience members asked for proof that the increase was necessary, asking to see budgets outlining the commissioners’ case. “A budget shouldn’t be backed into,” declared Syd Wallace.

Ron Calder threw a monkeywrench into the works, demanding to know where Jesse Lofquist lived. “I live in Tsawwassen,” replied Lofquist. Calder pointed out that state law requires commissioners to reside in the district making Lofquist ineligible for office. Lofquist has reportedly lived in B.C. since renting out his home last winter. Both of his vehicles have B.C. plates on them.

According to county auditor Shirley Forslof, Lofquist was required to attest he was eligible to hold office when he filed his candidacy August 1, 2003. Forslof suggested that commissioners might want to consult with district lawyers regarding Lofquist’s status. Asked if fire district decisions taken by Lofquist since he moved to Canada were invalidated, Forslof repeated that it was a matter for attorneys to consider.

Commissioners had considered three budget alternatives before deciding on the levy increase. Following is Budget A, the one ultimately chosen. Interestingly, the budget breaks out an expense of $20,000 for ‘Medics costs’ of 20 $1,000 ambulance trips to hospital. In the past, such expenses were part of general expenses.

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