Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 - City of Bellingham Levy for Medic One Program Nov 4,2004 FailedROUTER TITLE:b- 0 Y-© P Nc5 i R 1_.e,, f SEP 16 2004 RECEIVED TOPROSECUTOR'S FCE FROM OFOFICEUTOR'S ELECTION SUPERVISOR SEP 16 2004 BALLOT LAYOUT PROOF LAYOUT S•ef* ;v3 oq PUBLISHED NOTICE OF CLOSING CERTIFICATION 277, PUBLISHED NOTICE OF ELECTION Y��►- 1�, o �- DISTRICT SECRETARY TREASURER'S OFFICE y1- , 0'-t ASSESSOR'S OFFICE r A r� I WIIATCOM COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE OFFICIAL CANVASS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2004, IN THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING A LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM AND TWO PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS. STATE OF WASHINGTON ss. COUNTY OF WHATCOM OATH OF AUDITOR I do solemnly swear that the returns purporting to be the election returns of the City of Bellingham, from the Special Election held on the 2nd day of November 2004, have not been altered by additions or erasures, and that they are the same as when they were deposited in my office. County Audit l��,�trl ii�rt►►►►�x Qb �Y etin ;9 ,o before me this 17th day of November 2004. a� CAN a •y . rAr • •9RS'y�HG1pulntyLegislative Au ority .• III toit 1110%&RTIFICATION OF CANVASSING BOARD STATE OF WASHINGTON) ) ss. COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT WE, as the Whatcom County Canvassing Committee have completed our canvass of votes as it pertains to the Special Election held in the precincts within the boundaries of the City of Bellingham on the 2nd day of November 2004, and the results are as follows: CITY OF BELLINGHAM General Election Page 901 VALIDATION: SIMPLE MAJORITY November 2, 2004 Whatcom County, Washington CITY OF BELLINGHAM Special Election - Proposition No.1 Submitted by the City of Bellingham LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted Ordinance No. 2004-10.069 eonceming regular property taxes for emergency medical services In the City. It approved, this propos4lon would authorize regular property taxes of $0.n$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for a total 2005 regular levy rate not to exceed $3.161$1,00t1) and set the "fruit lacice for 20D6.2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical ewe. This levy shall apply for the years 2005- 2010. Additional revenues in excess of the RCW 84.55.0101imits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? LEVY FOR NEW MEDIC ONE PROGRAM 'ES -214 -� LEVY, YES 13345 44.68% NO - 216 -3� LEVY, NO 16523 55.32% 1 LEVY FAILED: 55.32% Proposed Charter Amendment No.1 Submitted By City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.02 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would allow the Mayor and City Attorney to delegate the responsibility to execute contracts to administrative designees where permitted under state law. Attestation would no longer be required, but notarized signatures would be necessary when required under other law. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter - 224 4 AGAINST amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter - 225 Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2 Submitted By City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.03 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would change the Charter's public bidding provision to require the City to comply with state law and city policy for the public bidding of contracts. Unless otherwise required by state law, the City would publish bidding notices as directed by the City Council. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter - 232 4 AGAINST amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter - 233 4 CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 1 FOR 10378 40.78% AGAINST 15070 59.22% FAILED: 59.22% CHARTER AMENDMENT NO.2 FOR 21149 81.76% AGAINST 4718 18.24% PASSED: 81.79% The canvass has been completed this 17th day of November 2004. WHATCOM COUNTY CANVASSING BOARD County Audits —7 W at ty Legislative #uthority - Diz 04,- - County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney WHATCOM COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE OFFICIAL CANVASS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2004, IN THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING A LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM AND TWO PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS. OATH OF AUDITOR STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ss. COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) I do solemnly swear that the returns purporting to be the election returns of the City of Bellingham, from the Special Election held on the 2nd day of November 2004, have not been altered by additions or erasures, and that they are the same as when they were deposited in my office. County Audit . �,t,` � Y � ,I •f • a■VA p before me this 17th day of November 2004. CoUMY • [� • - Cotimrty Legislative Au Drily W. llit+itiutitttt�ERTIFICATION OF CANVASSING BOARD STATE OF WASHINGTON) ) ss. COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT WE, as the Whatcom County Canvassing Committee have completed our canvass of votes as it pertains to the Special Election held in the precincts within the boundaries of the City of Bellingham on the 2nd day of November 2004, and the results are as follows: General Election November 2, 2004 Whatcom C aaHAM Special Election - Proposition No. I Submitted by the City of Bellingham LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopters Ordinance No. 2004-10-M concerning regular properly taxes for emergency medical services in the City. if approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.3541,000 of assessed value in 2005 {for a total 2005 regular levy rate not to exceed $3.161$1,000} and set the "limit factor' for 2fl06-2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical care, This levy shall apply for the years 2005- 2010. Additional reversues in excess of the RCW 94.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? CITY OF BELLINGHAM 901 VALIDATION: SIMPLE MAJORITY LEVY FOR NEW MEDIC ONE PROGRAM 'ES - 214 —31 LEVY, YES 13345 44.68% NO.216 4 LEVY, NO 16523 55.32% 1 LEVY FAILED: 55.32% Proposed Charter Amendment No. f Submitted By Clty Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 ccnceming a proposed amendment to Section 5.02 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would allow the Mayor and City Attorney to delegate the responsibility to execute contracts to administrative designees where permitted under state law. Attestation would no longer be required, but notarized signatures would be necessary when required under other law. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter - 224 —3, AGAINST amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter - 225 -� Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2 Submitted By City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.03 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would change the Charter's public bidding provision to require the City to comply with state law and city policy for the public bidding of contracts. Unless otherwise required by state law, the City would publish bidding notices as directed by the City Council. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter - 232 4 AGAINST amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter - 233 4 CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 1 FOR 10378 40.78% AGAINST 15070 59.22% FAILED: 59.22% CHARTER AMENDMENT NO.2 FOR 21149 81.76% AGAINST 4718 18.24% PASSED: 81.79% The canvass has been completed this 17th day of November 2004. V p� �A r�0 " st�T� OF o `II,/►►► t �R ►►►1,,'',��, WHATCOM COUNTY CANVASSING BOARD County i r� Legislative - 2Dbj County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION CITY OF BELLINGHAM NOVEMBER 2, 2004 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, November 2, 2004, a special election will be held in the above -named city for the submission to the qualified electors of said city of the following proposition and proposed charter amendments: CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON PROPOSITION NO. 1 Submitted by the City of Bellingham LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted Ordinance No. 2004-10-069 concerning regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the City. If approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.35/$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for a total 2005 regular levy rate not to exceed $3.16/$1,000) and set the "limit factor" for 2006-2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical care. This levy shall apply for the years 2005-2010. Additional revenues in excess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? Yes [ ] No [ ] PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 1 Submitted by City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.02 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would allow the Mayor and City Attorney to delegate the responsibility to execute contracts to administrative designees where permitted under state law. Attestation would no longer be required, but notarized signatures would be necessary when required under other law. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter [ ] AGAINST amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter [ ] PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 2 Submitted by City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.03 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would change the Charter's public bidding provision to require the City to comply with state law and city policy for the public bidding of contracts. Unless otherwise required by state law, the City would publish bidding notices as directed by the City Council. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter [ ] AGAINST amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter [ ] The special election shall be held at the regular polling place in each precinct within the City of Bellingham. The polls for such special election shall be open from 7:00 o'clock AM to 8:00 o'clock PM. Shirley Forslof, atcom County Audi or and Ex-officio Supe isor of Elections Publish: October 27, 2004 General Election Page 901 November 2, 2004 Whatcom County, Washington CITY OF BELLINGHAM Special Election — Proposition No.1 Submitted by the City of Bellingham LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted 1 Ordinance No. 2004-10-069 concerning regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the City. If approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.351$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for a total 2005 regular YES - 214 4 levy rate not to exceed $3.16/$1,000) and set the "limit factor" for 2006-2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical care. This levy shall apply for the years 2005- NO - 216 4 2010. Additional revenues in excess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? Proposed Charter Amendment No.1 Submitted By City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.02 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would allow the Mayor and City Attorney to delegate the responsibility to execute contracts to administrative designees where permitted under state law. Attestation would no longer be required, but notarized signatures would be necessary when required under other law. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter - 224 4 AGAINST amendment to Section 5.02 of the charter - 225 -� Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2 Submitted By City Council The Bellingham City Council has adopted Resolution 2004-28 concerning a proposed amendment to Section 5.03 of the City Charter. If approved, this amendment would change the Charter's public bidding provision to require the City to comply with state law and city policy for the public bidding of contracts. Unless otherwise required by state law, the City would publish bidding notices as directed by the City Council. Should this amendment be adopted? FOR amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter - 232 4 AGAINST amendment to Section 5.03 of the charter - 233 -3 I 200, ORDINANCE NO.2004-10-069 �1/..C..Auditors s.� ��P��d .rs AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.2004-09-061 RELATING TO PROPERTY TAXES AND PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION PURSUANT TO RCW 84.55.050 TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY ON THE GENERAL ELECTION DATE TO BE HELD THEREIN ON NOVEMBER 2, 2004, OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO LEVY REGULAR PROPERTY TAXES IN EXCESS OF THE LIMITATIONS OF CH. 84.55 RCW FOR A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS, BEGINNING IN 2005, TO FUND A NEW CITY -ONLY MEDIC ONE PROGRAM; SETTING FORTH THE BALLOT PROPOSITION DESCRIBING THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM LEVY RATE, AND A LIMIT FACTOR; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER PROPERLY RELATED MATTERS. WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 on September 16, 2004 authorizing a ballot proposition relating to the funding a new program entitled Bellingham Medic One; and WHEREAS, the City Council has discovered that Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 did not accurately reflect the intention of the City Council to ask the voters for approval for a 6- year levy lid lift that would expire in 2010; and WHEREAS, the City Council has therefore determined that it is in the best interests of the City to amend Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 so that the ballot proposition placed before the voters would authorize the intended 6-year levy lid lift and would require the City to ask the voters for their approval again in 6 years if they wish to reauthorize the Bellingham Medic One program; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM DOES ORDAIN: Section 1: Amendment of Ordinance No. 2004-09-061. Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 is amended to read as follows: Section 1: Findings and Purpose. The City Council finds and declares: 1.1 The residents of the City currently receive emergency medical services through Whatcom Medic One, which provides such services throughout Whatcom County under a Joint Powers Agreement between the City and the County (the "County Medic One Agreement"), whereby the City and County contribute equally to the costs of the County Medic One system. EMS Levy Ordinance - 1 City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (360) 676-6903 1.2 The County Medic One Agreement expires by its own terms on December 31, 2006 and, upon its expiration, the City will become solely responsible for providing emergency medical services within its boundaries. 1.3 Emergency medical services and transport are essential to the people of the City of Bellingham. In response to the expiration of the County Medic One Agreement, the City intends to create a new system to provide emergency medical services to City residents that will be owned, funded, and operated solely by the City, will be operated by a newly licensed provider (the Bellingham Fire Department) with a new billing and operational structure, and will base its operational response procedure upon a triage process to properly deploy the appropriate level of emergency medical service resources to the appropriate call. 1.4 The new City Emergency Medical Services program (entitled `Bellingham Medic One") will require a dedicated and stable funding base that can keep pace with forecasted increasing demand for services and increasing costs of providing a high quality emergency medical services program with paramedic staffing and adequate response times at a time when available sources of revenue for these services have been reduced by recent changes in federal Medicare reimbursement and state law. 1.5 If this levy is approved, the City intends to use the funds raised in 2005 and 2006 to transition from the County Medic One program, which is jointly funded by the City and County, to the new Bellingham Medic One program, which is solely funded by the City, during the interim period until the County Medic One Agreement terminates, including transitional changes to the system's operational and administrative procedures, and to operate the new Bellingham Medic One program during the transition process. The funds raised in 2007 through 2010 will be used for the operation of the new Bellingham Medic One program. 1.6 The funds raised by this levy in excess of the amounts the City would otherwise be allowed to collect under limitations of ch. 84.55 RCW shall be used solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program, including all related administrative, transition, implementation, and operational costs, and, as this is a new program, shall not supplant any existing funds used for this purpose. 1.7 It is in the best interest of the City that its voters have an opportunity to vote on the question of whether to authorize an increase in the City's regular property tax levy rate to commence the year 2005 to provide a stable and dedicated funding source to support the new Bellingham Medic One program. EMS Levy Ordinance - 2 City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (360) 676-6903 Section 2: Levy of Regular Property Taxes Submitted to Voters. 2.1 This proposition seeks voter approval pursuant to RCW 84.55.050 to impose the City's regular property tax levy in excess of the limits of ch. 84.55 RCW to fund the new City of Bellingham Medic One program. If this proposition is approved, the City Council will be authorized to impose its regular property tax in an amount not to exceed a maximum rate for collection in 2005 of $3.16/$1,000 plus any additional increases that may be authorized by law, which includes $0.35/$1,000 of new funds raised under this authorization for the new Bellingham Medic One program. For collection in the years 2006 through 2010, the maximum allowable regular tax levy for the City shall be computed by using the Limit Factor, as defined in subsection (2.2) of this ordinance, as the limit factor in accordance with RCW 84.55.050(3)(b ). 2.2 "Limit Factor" shall mean, for any twelve preceding month period ending on July 31 ("Period"), the change in that Period's annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI), medical care group (1982-84=100), compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor -- as compared to the previous Period. Section 3: Declaration of Emergency and Submission to County. The City Council hereby finds that an emergency exists requiring the submission to the qualified electors of the City at the November 2, 2004 general election a proposition as authorized by RCW 84.55.050 to exceed the limitations on regular property taxes contained in ch. 84.55 RCW as it now exists or may hereafter be amended. The City therefore requests the Auditor of Whatcom County, as Supervisor of Elections in Whatcom County (the "Auditor"), to submit to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or rejection at the general election held on November 2, 2004 a proposition authorizing the City to impose the City's regular property tax levy in excess of the limits of ch. 84.55 RCW as described in Section 2 of this ordinance. Upon the approval by a majority of the voters of the proposition set forth below, the City may levy its regular property tax in excess of any limitations provided in ch. 84.55 RCW, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, as described in Section 2 of this ordinance. Section 4: Ballot Proposition. The Finance Director is authorized and directed to certify to the Auditor, prior to the November 2, 2004 election date, a copy of this ordinance and the proposition, prepared by the City Attorney in accordance with RCW 29A.36.071, to be submitted at the election in the following form: EMS Levy Ordinance - 3 City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (360) 676-6903 CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Proposition LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted Ordinance No. 2004-10-069 concerning regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the City. If approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.35/$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for a total 2005 regular levy rate not to exceed $3.16/$1,000) and set the "limit factor" for 2006-2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical care. This levy shall apply for the years 2005-2010. Additional revenues in excess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Section 5: Additional Authorization and Ratification. The proper City officials are authorized to perform such other duties as are necessary or required by law to the end that the question of whether or not to authorize the City of Bellingham to levy its regular property tax in excess of the limitations provided in Chapter 84.55 RCW, as it now exists or may hereater be amended, shall be submitted to the voters o the city at the aforesaid general election. Section 2. Authorization and Ratification. The proper City officials are authorized to perform such other duties as are necessary or required by law to the end that this amendment to Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 is properly reflected in the ballot proposition to be submitted to the voters of the city at the November 2, 2004, general election. The City Attorney is specifically authorized and directed to submit the following ballot proposition to the County Auditor in place of the ballot proposition previously submitted under Ordinance No. 2004-09-061: EMS Levy Ordinance - 4 City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (360) 676-6903 CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Proposition LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted Ordinance No. 2004-10-069 concerning regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the City. If approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.35/$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for a total 2005 regular levy rate not to exceed $3.16/$1,000) and set the "limit factor" for 2006-2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical care. This levy shall apply for the years 2005-2010. Additional revenues in excess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Section 3. Emergency Declared. An emergency exists involving the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval by at least a majority plus one of all Council Members and approval by the Mayor. The facts creating this emergency are as follows: 3.1 The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 on September 16, 2004 authorizing a ballot proposition relating to the funding a new program entitled Bellingham Medic One to provide vital health and safety services to city residents. 3.2 The City Council has discovered that Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 as adopted did not accurately reflect the intention of the City Council to ask the voters for approval for a 6-year levy lid lift that would expire in 2010. 3.3 The County Auditor has informed the City that it intends to send the ballots for the November election to the printer on October 1, 2004, but has agreed to delay printing by one day so that this error may be corrected. 3.4 Unless the City approves this ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 becomes effective immediately, a ballot proposition will be placed before the voters that does not accurately reflect the City Council's intention. EMS Levy Ordinance - 5 City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (360) 676-6903 PASSED by Council this -/- day of 2004. (1�g' A��- J Council Pre dent APPROVED by me this I day of a 4.16-, 2004. Mayor ATTEST: �/2.dglaz t Fidnce Director APPROVED AS TO FORM: OMU of the City Atta y Published: EMS Levy Ordinance - 6 City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (360) 676-6903 FINANCE DEPARTMENT City Hall, 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone: (360) 676-6900 Fax: (360) 738-7500 Therese Holm, Finance Director October 1, 2004 Shirley Forslof Office of the Whatcom County Auditor 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225 RE: City of Bellingham- Levy Lid Lift Ballot Proposition Dear Ms. Forslof; As Finance Director for the City of Bellingham, I hereby submit on behalf of the City the attached copy of Ordinance No. 2004-10-69 authorizing a ballot proposition to be presented to the voters of the City of Bellingham at the next general election on November 2, 2004 as Proposition 1. This ordinance amends the previous Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 dealing with this ballot proposition which was submitted on September 16, 2004. The language of the ballot proposition has been amended to conform to the intent of the City that the property tax levy is for a six -year period. The maximum levy amount reflects updated information from the assessor. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Yo ery truly, Therese Holm City Finance Director FINANCE DEPARTMENT City Hall, 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone: (360) 676-6900 Fax: (360) 738-7500 Therese Holm, Finance Director September 16, 2004 Shirley Forslof Office of the Whatcom County Auditor 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225 RE: City of Bellingham — Levy Lid Lift Ballot Proposition Dear Ms. Forslo£ S EP 16 2004 W.C. Auditors As Finance Director for the City of Bellingham, I hereby submit on behalf of the City the attached copy of Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 authorizing a ballot proposition to be presented to the voters of the City at the general election on November 2, 2004 as Proposition 1. The following ballot proposition was prepared by the City Attorney in accordance with RCW 29A.36.071. Due to a scriviner's error, two words "change in" were omitted from the ballot proposition in the ordinance. These words are reflected in Section 2.2 and should be included in the ballot proposition that is presented to voters. Please notify the City Attorney's Office if there are any questions about the wording of the ballot proposition. CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Proposition 1 LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted Ordinance No. 2004-09-061 concerning regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the City. If approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.35/$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for an estimated total 2005 regular levy rate of $3.27/$1,000) and set the "limit factor" for 2006-2010 maximum levies at the change in Consumer Price Index for medical care. The 2010 levy would be used to compute future levy limits under Ch. 84.55 RCW. Additional revenues in STATE OF WASHINGTON, ss Affidavit of Publication COUNTY OF WHATCOM, } (L7145) •NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION CITY OF BELLINGHAM NOVEMBER 2, 2004 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, November 2, 2004, a spe- cial election will be held in the shove -named city for the submission to the "alifted electors of said city of the following propo- sition and propose amendments CITY OF BELLING - HAM, WASHINGTON PROPOSITION NO.1 Submitted by the City of Bellinggha LEVY FOH ZW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Wash- ington ado ted ordinance No. 2004-1 -069 concern- ing regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the Cigr, If ap- proved, this proposition would authnriz[ regular .proppeertyy laxec rtf 50.351 31,Q00 of assessed value in 2005 (for a total 2005 regu- lar levy rate not to exceed $3IT11,t100] and set the `limit factor" for 20%-2010 maximum levies at the change in the Consumer Price Index for medical care Tlus levy shall apply for the years 2005-2010. Additional revenues in ex• cess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely fur the new Belling- ham Medic One program. Should this proposition he approved? Yes[iN I1 PROPOSER CHARTER AMENDMEyr NO. i Submitted by city Council The Bellingham City Coundl has adopted Res- olution 2004-29 concerning a proposed amendment to Ser_lian 5.0.2 of the Citv Kathy Kincaid being first duly sworn on oath says: That (s)he is the Public Notices Clerk of The Bellingham Herald, a daily newspaper of general circulation in said county and state and of Federated Publications, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (publisher of said newspaper), and authorized to make this affidavit; that the legal notice entitled in the cause and court named on the attached copy which is a true an correct copy of the original (and hereinafter referred to as "Notice") was published in the regular an entire issue, and not in supplement, of each number of said newspa- per published and circulated on the following dates, to wit: October 27th, 2004 that for more than six months prior to the date of the first publication of said Notice, at all times since, and now, the said "The Bellingham Herald" has been established, published and circulated in the English language continuously and continually as a daily newspaper in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington, the same being at all times printed either in whole or in part in an office main- tained at said place of publication; that such newspaper has been approved as a legal newspaper by order of the Superior Court of Whatcom County, Washington; that the full amount of the fee charged for such publication $ 125.84 0. T .may be ndnpted'. FOR amendment to sec- Subscribed and sworn to before me this tion 5.03 Of the charter I ] AGtfNST amendment to 28th day of October , 200 4 Section 5.03 of the charter Tile sp'a ion shall held at the regular nol- 4111�" co 11 A � •' O Z �� TO 00 �H1N; f 7 t7e linggpllrrce in each Belting- l within the City h Belting- '47, item. The polls for such special NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the 5t t of Washington, eleMran shall be open irony 7:00 o'clock AM to residing at Bellingham a:0oo'clock PM. Shirley Fhrslo€, Whatcom Corwty Auditor and Ex•of ficio Supervisor of Elec- .r tions Shirley Forslof September 16, 2004 Page two excess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, CITY OF BELLINGHAM l Tl erese Ho1in City Finance Director ORDINANCE NO. 2004-09-061 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM RELATING TO PROPERTY TAXES; PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION PURSUANT TO RCW 84.55.050 TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY ON THE GENERAL ELECTION DATE TO BE HELD THEREIN ON NOVEMBER 2, 2004, OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO LEVY REGULAR PROPERTY TAXES IN EXCESS OF THE LIMITATIONS OF CH. 84.55 RCW FOR A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS, BEGINNING IN 2005, TO FUND A NEW CITY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROGRAM ENTITLED BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE; SETTING FORTH THE BALLOT PROPOSITION DESCRIBING THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM LEVY RATE, A LIMIT FACTOR, AND SPECIFYING THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE FINAL ANNUAL LEVY SHALL BE USED TO COMPUTE THE CH. 84.55 RCW LEVY INCREASE LIMITATIONS IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER PROPERLY RELATED MATTERS. WHEREAS, in order to assure the provision of emergency medical services to residents of,the City of Bellingham (the "City") after the expiration of the Joint Powers Agreement for emergency medical services between the City and the County (the "County Medic One Agreement"), it is both necessary and appropriate that the City increase in the regular property tax levy rate of the City to provide a dedicated source of revenue to pay for the costs of taking on the new responsibility as the sole provider of emergency medical services and transport to city residents; and WHEREAS, under RCW 84.55.050, the question of whether the City may collect such a levy in excess of the limitations of ch. 84.55 RCW must be submitted to the qualified voters of the City for ratification or rejection; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM DOES ORDAIN: Section 1: Findings and Purpose. The City Council finds and declares: 1.1 The residents of the City currently receive emergency medical services through Whatcom Medic One, which provides such services throughout Whatcom County under a Joint Powers Agreement between the City and the County (the "County Medic One Agreement"), whereby the City and County contribute equally to the costs of the County Medic One system. 1.2 The County Medic One Agreement expires by its own terms on December 31, 2006 and, upon its expiration, the City will become solely responsible for providing emergency medical services within its boundaries. 1.3 Emergency medical services and transport are essential to the people of the City of Bellingham. In response to the expiration of the County Medic One Agreement, the City intends to create a new system to provide emergency medical services to City residents that will be owned, funded, and operated solely by the City, will be operated by a newly licensed provider (the Bellingham Fire Department) with a new billing and operational structure, and will base its operational response procedure upon a triage process to properly deploy the appropriate level of emergency medical service resources to the appropriate call. '340 1.4 The new City Emergency Medical Services program (entitled "Bellingham Medic One") will require a dedicated and stable funding base that can keep pace with forecasted increasing demand for services and increasing costs of providing a high quality emergency medical services program with paramedic staffing and adequate response times at a time when available sources of revenue for these services have been reduced by recent changes in federal Medicare reimbursement and state law. 1.5 If this levy is approved, the City intends to use the funds raised in 2005 and 2006 to transition from the County Medic One program, which is jointly funded by the City and County, to the new Bellingham Medic One program, which is solely funded by the City, during the interim period until the County Medic One Agreement terminates, including transitional changes to the system's operational and administrative procedures, and to operate the new Bellingham Medic One program during the transition process. The funds raised in 2007 through 2010 will be used for the operation of the new Bellingham Medic One program. 1.6 The funds raised by this levy in excess of the amounts the City would otherwise be allowed to collect under limitations of ch. 84.55 RCW shall be used solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program, including all related administrative, transition, implementation, and operational costs, and, as this is a new program, shall not supplant any existing funds used for this purpose. 1.7 It is in the best interest of the City that its voters have an opportunity to vote on the question of whether to authorize an increase in the City's regular property tax levy rate to commence the year 2005 to provide a stable and dedicated funding source to support the new Bellingham Medic One program. Section 2: LpM of Regular Property Taxes Submitted to Voters. (2.1) This proposition seeks voter approval pursuant to RCW 84.55.050 to impose the City's regular property tax levy in excess of the limits of ch. 84.55 RCW to fund the new City of Bellingham Medic One program. If this proposition is approved, the City Council will be authorized to impose its regular property tax in an amount estimated not to exceed a maximum rate for collection in 2005 of $3.27/$1,000 plus any additional increases that may be authorized by law, which includes $0.35/$1,000 of new funds raised under this authorization for the new Bellingham Medic One program. This estimated maximum rate is based upon the 2004 rate, which may change depending upon variables, such as the computation of the assessed value, that are presently unknown. For collection in the years 2006 through 2010, the maximum allowable regular tax levy for the City shall be computed by using the Limit Factor, as defined in subsection (2.2) of this ordinance, as the limit factor in accordance with RCW 84.55.050(3)(b). The maximum allowable dollar amount of the levy in 2010 shall be used to compute the limitations provided for in Ch. 84.55 RCW on levy increases occurring thereafter. (2.2) "Limit Factor' shall mean, for any twelve preceding month period ending on July 31 ("Period"), the change in that Period's annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI), medical care group (1982-84=100), compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor -- as compared to the previous Period. 3,11 Section 3: Declaration of Emergency and Submission to County. The City Council hereby finds that an emergency exists requiring the submission to the qualified electors of the City at the November 2, 2004 general election a proposition as authorized by RCW 84.55.050 to exceed the limitations on regular property taxes contained in ch. 84.55 RCW as it now exists or may hereafter be amended. The City therefore requests the Auditor of Whatcom County, as Supervisor of Elections in Whatcom County (the "Auditor"), to submit to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or rejection at the general election held on November 2, 2004 a proposition authorizing the City to impose the City's regular property tax levy in excess of the limits of ch. 84.55 RCW as described in Section 2 of this ordinance. Upon the approval by a majority of the voters of the proposition set forth below, the City may levy its regular property tax in excess of any limitations provided in ch. 84.55 RCW, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, as described in Section 2 of this ordinance. Section 4: Ballot Proposition. The Finance Director is authorized and directed to certify to the Auditor, at least 45 days prior to the November 2, 2004 election date, a copy of this ordinance and the proposition, prepared by the City Attorney in accordance with RCW 29A.36.071, to be submitted at the election in the following form: CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Proposition LEVY FOR NEW BELLINGHAM MEDIC ONE PROGRAM The City Council of the City of Bellingham, Washington adopted Ordinance No2CKY4-09-❑€6ncerning regular property taxes for emergency medical services in the City. If approved, this proposition would authorize regular property taxes of $0.35/$1,000 of assessed value in 2005 (for an estimated total 2005 regular levy rate of $3.27/$1,000) and set the "limit factor" for 2006-2010 maximum levies at the Consumer Price Index for medical care. The 2010 levy would be used to compute future levy limits under ch. 84.55 RCW. Additional revenues in excess of the RCW 84.55.010 limits would be dedicated solely for the new Bellingham Medic One program. Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Section 5. Additional Authorization and Ratification. The proper City officials are authorized to perform such other duties as are necessary or required by law to the end that the question of whether or not to authorize the City of Bellingham to levy its regular property tax in excess of the limitations provided in Chapter 84.55 34 A20- RCW, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, shall be submitted to the voters of the city at the aforesaid general election. PASSED by the Council this 13thday of September 2004. John WattVCouncil President APPROVED by me this �`!!- day of , 2004. Mark Asmundson, Mayor ATTEST: Fintince Director APPROVED AS TO FORM: Off ic of the City Attorney Published: .343