HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 - Fire Protection District 1 Prop 2024-24 General Obligation Bonds $13,000,000 General Election November 06, 2024Whatcom County
Auditor's Office
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
December 4, 2024
Election Results Receipt
Stacy Henthorn
County Auditor
Amy Grasher
Chief Deputy Auditor
Copies of the following proposition election results from the November 5, 2024 General and Special
Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office:
+ Blaine School District 503, Proposition No. 2024-21, General Obligation Bonds -
$70,000,000
• Meridian School District 505, Proposition 2024-20, General Obligation Bonds -
$75,000,000
■ Fire Protection District 1, Proposition 2024-24, General Obligation Bonds - $13,000,000
® Columbia Valley Park and Recreation District, Proposition 2024-23, Establishing Six Year
Regular Property Tax Levy
Receipt Acknowledged:
Assessor's Office:
Rebecca Xczar
Treasurer's Office:
J4-
St(Wen Oliver
( n!!n�
Date
/Z
Date
Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1
Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2024, Nov 05, 2024 2024-12-02
All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, FD 1 Prop 2024-24 General Obligation 14:52:29
Bonds - $13,000,000, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 6716. Registered Voters: 167790. Overall Turnout: 4.00%
Choice Votes Vote %
All Precincts
FD 1 Prop 2024-24 General Obligation Bonds - $13,000,000 (Vote for 1)
6716 ballots
(0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 557 undervotes), 8175 registered voters, turnout 82.15%
Approved
3300 53.58%
Rejected
2859 46.42%
Total
6159 100.00%
Overvotes
0
Undervotes 557
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss
COUNTY OF WHATCOM )
This is to certify that on November 5, 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 November 26, 2024,
and the results of said canvass are as reads above.
Dated this 4th day of December, 2024, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington.
Stacy Henth r
County Auditor
FINAL Language
Ballot Title
Fire Protection District 1
Proposition 2024-24
General Obligations Bonds - $13,000,000
The Board of Fire Commissioners of Fire Protection District 1 adopted Resolution No. 2024-16
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. 2024-16.
Should this proposition be:
Approved
Rejected
Explanatory Statement
Passage of Proposition 2024-24 will authorize Fire Protection District 1, Whatcom County, to borrow
$13,000,000 by issuing general obligation bonds. In accordance with Resolution No. 2024-16, 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 Name: Whatcom County Fire District #1
District Address: 101 E Main, PO Box 454, Everson WA 98247
Contact Person 1
Rachel Carlson, Fire Chief
Name & Title
360-966-5757, rcarlson@wcfd1.org
Phone & email
Cynthia Weed
Name
206-370-7801
Phone & email
Contact Person 2
Greg Macy, Asst. Fire Chief
Name & Title
360-966-5757, gmacy@wcfd1.org
Phone & email
Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure?
Yes ® No
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a�.
Resolution
with original signatures or a certified copy Yes 0 No
Explanatory Statement
prepared by your attorney, not to exceed 100 words Yes 0 No
Committee Appointment Forms
separate forms for each committee Yes O No
Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet �/ Yes Q No
Auditor's Office Use
Receivad In 4irsort
AUG 0 2 2024
Whatcom County Elections
Proposition/Initiative Number
Zli
�x►,.s
Deputy Auditors Signature
Missing document(s):
understand that the submittal deadline date for the missing
documents is and the Auditor's office will
not begin processing this ballot measure until all documents
have been submitted.
Presenters Signature
Reviewed 12/12/2023
Received in Nrson
AUG 0 2 2024
Whatcom County Elections
WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
RESOLUTION NO.2024-16
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 November 5, 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 JULY 11, 2024
PREPARED BY:
K&L GATES LLP
Seattle, Washington
WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-16
TABLE OF CONTENTS`
Page
Recitals.......................................................................................................................................... I
Section1.
Findings................................................................................................................. I
Section 2.
Capital Improvements...........................................................................................2
Section 3.
Authorization of Bonds......................................................................................... 3
Section4.
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.
5507892684.1
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-16
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 November 5, 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.
5507892684.1
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
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507892684.1
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-
507892684.1
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 November 5, 2024.
This Resolution No. 2024-16 is identical to Resolution No. 2024-11, except that the date
of the election specified herein is November 5, 2024, and the date of the election specified in
Resolution No. 2024-11 is August 6, 2024. The Whatcom County Auditor is requested to conduct
the November 5, 2024 election only in the event that the ballot proposition authorized by
Resolution No. 2024-10 is not approved by the voters at the August 6, 2024 election.
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-
507892684.1
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.I adopted Resolution No.2024-16
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. 2024-16. 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 November 5, 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
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507892684.1
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-
507892684.1
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 1Ith day of July,
2024.
WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT NO. 1, WHATCOM COUNTY,
WASHINGTON
ndy'VanderHeiden
haifman and Commissioner
Shannon Whitford-Ahlers
Commissioner
Kurt Bruland
Commissioner
ATTEST:
Se6i6iaryof the and of Fire Commissioners
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507892684.1
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:
I . That the attached resolution is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 2024-16
of the Board (herein called the "Resolution"), duly adopted at a special meeting thereof held on
the 1 Ith day of July, 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 1 Ith day of July, 2024.
j'L� 9/(
etary o7fldieoard'of Fire
Commissioners
507892684.1
OFFICIAL BALLOT
WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
November 5, 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.2024-16
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. 2024-16. Should this proposition be:
APPROVED........................................................................................... ❑
REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑
507892684.1
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
November 5, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, November 5, 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.2024-16
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. 2024-16. Should this proposition be:
APPROVED........................................................................................... ❑
REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑
Whatcom County Auditor
507892684.1
Election Date: November 5, 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. 2024-16, 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.
507892729.1