The fire district will hold special meetings at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 22, Tuesday, June 6, Monday, June 12 and a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 14 as they consider financing options to pay for its newly adopted Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). From 2023–2036, the district has anticipated capital expenditures on new and upgraded infrastructure of approximately $4.2 million.
These expenditures include replacement of emergency vehicles, renovations to the fire hall and replacement of the hall’s parking lot, among other items. Given the district’s current income, the district could expect to incur a deficit of around $200,000 if capital expenditures are made as scheduled.At a special meeting held May 17, fire chief Christopher Carleton provided commissioners an overview of the various avenues open to the district to pay for expected upgrades and new equipment.
In order to raise the district’s levy above the 1 percent allowed annually, it would have to seek voter approval of levy lid lift of up to six years. To pass, a levy lift requires a simple majority (RCW84.55.050.) The district could seek a temporary levy lift for 1-6 years for a specific purpose eg. buy a new piece of apparatus in which case the levy would drop down to the former level once the time was up. It could also ask for a permanent levy lift in which case the district would use the new levy as the basis for future 1 percent annual increase.
The district could also seek voter approval of a bond to pay wholly or partially for capital infrastructure. There are a number of ways the district could go about seeking excess bond money but in any case a bond measure requires 60 percent approval from a minimum 40 percent of the number of voters who participated in the last general election.
The district essentially has the choice between raising the levy lid or by taking out a governmental obligation (GO) bond for a period of up to 20 years. Carleton, who appears to be leaning towards raising the lid, presented commissioners with scenarios ranging from collecting an additional $.020 to $0.50 per $1,000 assessed value of property. A property worth $500,000 that currently pays $346.73 to the fire district would go from $446.73 up to $596.73 annually. A million-dollar property, currently paying $693.46 a year would see its bill increase from $893.46 up to $1,193.46 annually. The scenario presented to the commissioners showed stepped up levy rates of $0.10 per $1,000 from a low of $0.20 to a high of $0.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation. (See above).
The commission meetings are open to the public either in person or on Zoom. To view the 2023-2036 CFP or to view meeting links, go to wcfd5.com/newsflash.
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