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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 - Fire Protection District 1 General Obligation Bonds $13,000,000 Prop 2024-18 Primary and Special Election August 06, 2024Whatcom County Auditor's Office Whatcom County Courthouse 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 August 29, 2024 Election Results Receipt Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Amy Grasher Chief Deputy Auditor Copies of the following proposition election results from the August 6, 2024 Primary and Special Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office: ■ Lynden School District 504, Proposition 2024-16, General Obligation Bonds - $157, 500,000 ■ Fire Protection District 1, Proposition 2024-18, General Obligation Bonds - $13,000,000 ■ Fire Protection District 17, Proposition 2024-19, Authorizing Regular Property Tax Levy ■ Fire Protection District 21, Proposition 2024-17, Authorizing Regular Property Tax Levy Receipt Acknowledged - Assessor's Office: Rebecca Xczar Treasurer's Office: Steven Oliver Date 17 ' c Date Summary Report Page: 1 of 1 Whatcom County, Washington 2024-08-20 Primary Election - August 6, 2024 08:58:13 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, FD 1 Prop 2024-18 - Gen Obligation Bonds $13,000,000, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 3479, Reqistered Voters: 162389, Overall Turnout: 2.14% Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts FD 1 Prop 2024-18 - Gen Obligation Bonds $13,000,000 (Vote for 1) 3479 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 165 undervotes), 8004 registered voters, turnout 43.47% Approved 1664 50.21% Rejected 1650 49.79% Total 3314 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 165 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) This is to certify that on August 6, 2024, there was held a special election in Fire Protection District 1, Whatcom County, Washington, for the submission of a ballot measure to the voters for their approval or rejection_ The results of the election were duly canvassed by the Whatcom County Canvassing Board on August 20, 2024, and the results of said canvass are as reads above. Dated his 29'h day of August, 2024, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Final Language Ballot Title Fire Protection District 1 Proposition 2024-18 General Obligation Bonds - $13,000,000 The Board of Fire Commissioners of Fire Protection District 1 adopted Resolution No. 2024-11 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment, to issue $13,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 2024-11. Should this proposition be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement Passage of Proposition 2024-18 will authorize Fire Protection District 1, Whatcom County, to borrow $13,000,000 by issuing general obligation bonds. In accordance with Resolution No. 2024-11, approving this proposition, the bonds will be used to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire fire fighting and life safety equipment to meet the service and emergency needs of the District. The bonds would be repaid out of the collection of excess property taxes annually over a maximum period of 20 years. Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet District Information District Name: Whatcom County Fire District #1 District Address: 101 E. Main, PO Box 454, Everson WA 98247 Contact Person 1 Contact Person 2 Rachel Carlson, Fire Chief Greg Macy, Assistant Fire Chief Name & Title Name & Title 360-966-5757, rcarlson@wcfd1.org 360-966-5757, gmacy@wcfd1.org Phone & email Cynthia Weed Name 206-370-7801 Phone & email Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? & Yes 0 No �� . . . .. Resolution Yes Q No with original signatures or a certified copy Explanatory Statement Yes O No prepared by your attorney, not to exceed 100 words Committee Appointment Forms Yes ©No separate forms for each committee Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Yes O No Auditor's Office Use ECLIVG �n Person Missing document(s): Missing understand that the submittal deadline date for the missing MAY �� documents is and the Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot measure until all documents Whatcom County Elections have been submitted. -2-02-q - I Proposition/Initiative Number Presenter's Signature Deputy Auditors Signature Reviewed 12/12/2023 RECEIVED MAY 0 2 2024 STACY HENTHORN WHATCOM COUNTY AUDITOR WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS RESOLUTION NO.2024-11 A RESOLUTION of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No.1, Whatcom County, Washington, providing for the form of the ballot proposition and specifying certain other details concerning submission to the qualified electors of the district at a special election to be held therein on August 6, 2024, of a proposition for the issuance of its general obligation bonds in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $13,000,000, or so much thereof as may be issued under the laws governing the indebtedness of fire districts, for the purpose of providing funds to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment for the District. ADOPTED APRIL 25, 2024 Ia:I ' , :i : •�1 K&L GATES LLP Seattle, Washington WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 RESOLUTION NO.2024-11 TABLE OF CONTENTS* Page Recitals..........................................................................................................................................1 Section1. Findings................................................................................................................. 1 Section 2. Capital Improvements........................................................ Section 3. Authorization of Bonds......................................................................................... 3 Section 4. Details of Bonds.................................................................................................... 3 Section5. Election................................................................................................................. 4 Section 6. Notices Relating to Ballot Title............................................................................ 5 Section7. Voters' Pamphlet.................................................................................................. 5 Section8. Severability........................................................................................................... 6 Section9. Effective Date....................................................................................................... 7 * This table of contents and the cover page are not a part of this resolution; they are included for convenience of the reader only. 5507491612.1 RESOLUTION NO.2024-11 A RESOLUTION of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1, Whatcom County, Washington, providing for the form of the ballot proposition and specifying certain other details concerning submission to the qualified electors of the district at a special election to be held therein on August 6, 2024, of a proposition for the issuance of its general obligation bonds in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $13,000,000, or so much thereof as may be issued under the laws governing the indebtedness of fire districts, for the purpose of providing funds to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment for the District. WHEREAS, Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1, Whatcom County, Washington (the "District") is in need of a new fire station and headquarters and additional fire fighting and life safety equipment (hereinafter defined as the "Projects"); and WHEREAS, in order to provide all or a part of the funds to enable the District to undertake the Projects, it is deemed necessary and advisable that the District issue and sell its unlimited tax general obligation bonds to provide funds for such purposes; and WHEREAS, the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington provide that the question of whether or not such bonds may be issued and sold for such purposes must be submitted to the qualified electors of the District for their ratification or rejection; NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON DOES RESOLVE, as follows: Section 1. Findings. This Board of Fire Commissioners (the "Board") hereby finds and declares that the best interest of the residents and property owners of the District require the District to carry out the plans hereinafter provided at the time or times and in the order deemed most necessary and advisable by the Board. 5507491612.1 Section 2. Capital Improvements. improvements (collectively, the "Projects"): The District shall undertake the following • Construct and equip a new fire station; • Construct and equip a new headquarters facility; and • To the extent that funding is available, acquire fire fighting and life safety equipment to meet the service and emergency needs of the District. The cost of all necessary land acquisition, demolition, planning, project management, engineering, and other consulting services, inspection and testing, administrative and relocation expenses, related improvements and other costs incurred in connection with the making of the foregoing capital improvements shall be deemed a part of the costs of the Projects. Such improvements shall include all necessary equipment and appurtenances, including computers and other technology equipment. If available funds are sufficient from the proceeds of bonds authorized for the above purposes, and state or local circumstances require, the District may also undertake additional capital improvements, including fire and safety equipment, all as the Board may determine. The District shall determine the application of available moneys, including but not limited to grants and other funding, as between the various Projects set forth above so as to accomplish, as nearly as may be, all of the Projects described or provided for in this section. The District shall determine the exact extent and specifications for purchases or other improvements. If the Board shall determine that it has become impractical to accomplish any of such Projects or portions thereof by reason of state or local circumstances, including changed conditions, incompatible development or costs substantially in excess of those estimated, the District shall not be required to accomplish such Projects and may apply the Bond proceeds or any -2- 507491612.1 portion thereof to other portions of the Projects, to other capital improvements, or to payment of principal of or interest on the Bonds, as the Board may determine. In the event that the proceeds of sale of the Bonds, plus any other moneys of the District legally available, are insufficient to accomplish all of the Projects provided by this section, the District shall use the available funds for paying the cost of those Projects for which the Bonds were approved deemed by the Board most necessary and in the best interest of the District. Section 3. Authorization of Bonds. For the purpose of providing all or a part of the funds necessary to pay the cost of the Projects, together with incidental costs and costs related to the sale and issuance of the bonds, the District shall issue and sell its unlimited tax general obligation bonds in the principal amount of not to exceed $13,000,000. The balance of the cost of the Projects shall be paid out of any money which the District now has or may later have on hand which are legally available for such purposes. Bond proceeds shall be used for the upgrade and repair of equipment and apparatus. None of said bond proceeds shall be used for the replacement of equipment or for any other than a capital purpose. Such bonds shall be issued in an amount not exceeding the amount approved by the qualified electors of the District as required by the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington or exceeding the amount permitted by the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington. Section 4. Details of Bonds. The bonds provided for in Section 3 hereof shall be sold in such amounts and at such time or times as deemed necessary and advisable by this Board and as permitted by law, shall bear interest at a rate or rates not to exceed the maximum rate permitted by law at the time the bonds are sold, and shall mature in such amounts and at such times within a maximum term of twenty (20) years from date of issue, but may mature at an earlier date or dates, as authorized by this Board and as provided by law. Said bonds shall be general obligations of the -3- 507491612.1 District and, unless paid from other sources, both principal thereof and interest thereon (including original issue discount) shall be payable out of annual tax levies to be made upon all the taxable property within the District without limitation as to rate or amount and in excess of any constitutional or statutory tax limitations. The exact date, form, terms and maturities of said bonds shall be as hereafter fixed by resolution of the Board. After voter approval of the bond proposition and in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds, the District may issue short term obligations as authorized and provided by Chapter 39.50 RCW. Section 5. Election. It is hereby found and declared that the best interests of the District require the submission to the qualified electors of the District of the proposition of whether the District shall issue the Bonds at a special election to be held on August 6, 2024. The Whatcom County Auditor as ex officio supervisor of elections is hereby requested also to call and conduct the special election to be held within the District and to submit to the qualified electors of the District the proposition set forth below. The Secretary of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to certify the proposition to said officials in the following form: -4- 507491612.1 PROPOSITION NO. 1 W14ATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $13,000,000 The Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No.1 adopted Resolution No.2024-11 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment, to issue $13,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 2024-11. Should this proposition be: APPROVED........................................................................................... ❑ REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑ The Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners is hereby authorized to deliver a certified copy of this resolution to the Whatcom County Auditor. Section 6. Notices relating to Ballot Title. For purposes of receiving notice of the exact language of the ballot title required by RCW 29A.36.080, the Board hereby designates the (a) the Fire Chief (Rachel Carlson), telephone: (360) 966-5757; email: rcarlson @wcfdl.org, and (b) bond counsel, K&L Gates LLP (Cynthia Weed), telephone:206.618.6050; email: cynthia.weed@klgates.com, as the individuals to whom the Whatcom County Auditor shall provide such notice. The Secretary of the Board is authorized to approve changes to the ballot title, if any, deemed necessary by the Whatcom County Auditor or the Office of the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney. Section 7. Voters' Pamphlet. Pursuant to RCW 29A.32, the Board of Directors hereby confirms the District's participation in the local voters' pamphlet for the August 6, 2024 election, which shall be prepared and published by the Whatcom County Auditor, including, but not limited to, an explanatory statement reviewed and approved by the District's attorney, and, if -5- 507491612.1 available, a Statement For and a Statement Against. The District understands and agrees that it will be required to pay its proportionate share of the expenses of the voters' pamphlet. Section 8. Severability. In the event that any provision of this resolution shall be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of this resolution or the Bonds, but they shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid provision had not been contained herein; provided, however, that any provision which shall for any reason be held by reason of its extent to be invalid shall be deemed to be in effect to the extent permitted by law. -6- 507491612.1 Section 9. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. ADOPTED by the Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1, Whatcom County, Washington, at a special meeting held this 25th day of April, 2024. WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON dy anderHeiden Chairman and Commissioner Shannon Whitford-Ahlers Commissioner <'-� Za-z-'4- Kurt Bruland Commissioner ATTEST: -7- 507491612.1 CERTIFICATE I, the undersigned, Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1, Whatcom County, Washington (the "District"), and keeper of the records of the Board of Fire Commissioners (the "Board"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY: 1. That the attached resolution is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 2024-11 of the Board (herein called the "Resolution"), duly adopted at a special meeting thereof held on the 25th day of April, 2024. 2. That said meeting was duly convened and held in all respects in accordance with law, and to the extent required by law, due and proper notice of such meeting was given; that a legal quorum was present throughout the meeting and a legally sufficient number of members of the Board voted in the proper manner for the adoption of said Resolution; that all other requirements and proceedings incident to the proper adoption of said Resolution have been duly fulfilled, carried out and otherwise observed; and that I am authorized to execute this certificate. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of April, 2024. S tary of th oar o ire Commissioners 507491612.1 OFFICIAL BALLOT WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON August 6, 2024 INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: To vote in favor of the following proposition, place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "APPROVED"; to vote against the following proposition, place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "REJECTED." PROPOSITION NO. 1 WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $13,000,000 The Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1 adopted Resolution No.2024-11 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment, to issue $13,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 2024-11. Should this proposition be: APPROVED........................................................................................... ❑ REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑ 507491612.1 NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON August 6, 2024 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, a special election will be held in the above -named fire protection district for the submission to the qualified electors of said fire protection district of the following proposition: PROPOSITION NO. 1 WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $13,000,000 The Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1 adopted Resolution No.2024-11 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment, to issue $13,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 2024-11. Should this proposition be: APPROVED........................................................................................... ❑ REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑ Whatcom County Auditor 507491612.1 Election Date: August 6, 2024 Name of Jurisdiction Submitting Measure: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1, Whatcom County, Washington Contact Name: Cynthia Weed Daytime Contact Phone Number: 206-618-6050 Word count: 84 EXPLANATORY STATEMENT - PROPOSITION NO. 1 Passage of Proposition No. 1 will authorize Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1, Whatcom County, to borrow $13,000,000 by issuing general obligation bonds. In accordance with Resolution No. 2024-11, approving this proposition, the bonds will be used to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire fire fighting and life safety equipment to meet the service and emergency needs of the District. The bonds would be repaid out of the collection of excess property taxes annually over a maximum period of 20 years. PA20287 CMW\20287 BT3 05/2/24 507491618.1