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Home My WebLink About2023 - Fire Protection District 4 Prop 2023-01 Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection & Emergency Management Services Primary Election August 01, 2023Whatcom County Auditor's Office Whatcom County Courthouse 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 August 23, 2023 Election Results Receipt Diana Bradrick County Auditor Stacy Henthorn Chief Deputy Auditor Copies of the following proposition election results from the August 1, 2023 Primary Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office: Fire Protection District 4 - Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services Receipt Acknowledged: Assesso 's Office: I Re ecca czar Treasurer's Office: 9 even Oliver cE'.? -L "LD Date 471, �L Date Administration Elections Licensing Recording We gladly accept Auclitor@co.whatcomma.us Elections@co.whatcom.wa.us Licensing@co.whatcom.wa.us Recording@co.whatcom.wa.us relay calls. 360-778-51 o 0 360-778-5 t oz 360-778-5100 360-778-51 oo Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1 Whatcom County, Washington, PRIMARY 2023, Aug 01, 2023 2023-08-15 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, FD 4 Prop 2023-01 Levy for Fire & 10:45:13 EMS, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 3218, Reqistered Voters: 159755, Overall Turnout: 2.01 % Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts FD 4 Prop 2023-01 Levy for Fire & EMS (Vote for 1) 3218 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 117 undervotes), 7395 registered voters, turnout 43.52% Approved 2172 70.04% Reiected 929 29.96% Total 3101 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 117 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ) ss COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) This is to certify that on August 1, 2023, there was held a special election in Fire Protection District 4, 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 15, 2023, and the results of said canvass are as reads above. ' Dated this 151h day of August, 2023, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. � � J6�-�� Diana Bradrick County Auditor Final Language Ballot Title Fire Protection District 4 Proposition 2023-01 Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services The Board of Fire Commissioners for Fire Protection District 4 adopted Resolution No. 2023-02 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations. Proposition 2023-01 would restore the District's regular property tax levy to the previous voter -approved rate of $0.99 per $1,000.00 of assessed value for collection in 2024, and authorize setting the limit factor at 103% for each of the succeeding five years (but never to exceed the $1.50 per $1,000.00 rate limit). The dollar amount of the levy in 2029 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by RCW 84.55. Should this proposition be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The District is placing a multi -year lid lift proposition on the August 1 primary ballot. If approved, the proposition authorizes the District to restore its levy rate to $.99 per $1,000.00 of assessed property value, as previously approved by voters. Passage of the proposition would allow the levy dollar amount to increase by up to 3% in the succeeding five years. The dollar amount of the levy in 2029 would be used to calculate future levy increase limits. If this proposition passes, a taxpayer with the average home value of $500,000.00 would anticipate an increased tax of $15.00 per month. latcom County Auditor's O� .e Ballot Measure Coversheet District Name: Whatcom County Fire Protection District #4 District Address: 4142 Britton Loop Rd. Bellingham WA 98226 (PO Box 289 Lynden WA 98264) Contact Person 1 Contact Person z Jason Van der Veen, Fire Chief Steven Cooley, Board Chair Name & Title Name & Title 360-318-9933 jvanderveen@nwfrs.com 360-318-1675 scooley@nwfrs.com Phone & email Phone & email Eric Quinn P.S Attorneys at Law Name & Title Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? (253) 590-6628 ericquinn@firehouselawyer2.com O Yes Q No Phone & email Are the following ... . (circle one) Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Yes No Explanatory Statement No prepared by your attorney, not to exceed loo words Yes "For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms Yes No Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Ye No Complete if anything is missing... I understand that the deadline to submit the missing information is Received In Person MAY 1 ? 2023 The Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot Whatcom County Elections measure until all required documents have been submitted. Presenter's Signature Deputy Auditor's Signature This form is available in a fillable form on the Auditor's website: bit jxyyll�SrStrllCp�Apty t5fj5g3jpl5Siir�_LSourG�S, Received In Person MAY 12 2023 Whatcom County Elections WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #4 Resolution 2023-02 RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF LEVY A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 4 ("DISTRICT") PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD WITHIN THE DISTRICT ON AUGUST 1, 2023, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE, OF A PROPOSITION RESTORING THE DISTRICT'S PROPERTY TAX LEVY RATE TO $0.99. PER $1,000.00 OF TRUE AND ASSESSED VALUATION AND ESTABLISHING A LIMIT FACTOR OF UP TO 3 % SUBJECT TO OTHERWISE APPLICABLE STATUTORY LIMITATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS. Background: 1. WHEREAS, it is the judgment of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the District that it is essential and necessary for the protection of the health and life of the residents of the District that the fire and emergency medical services be provided by the District. 2. WHEREAS, RCW 84.55 places a 1 % limitation on the increase of tax revenue collected by the District annually. Such 1 % limitation on the increase would cause a loss of revenue to the District of $909,515.61 in 2024. Such losses will necessitate reduction in services and increase response times. This resolution and the resultant election would give the voters the opportunity to choose to continue services pursuant to the previously authorized levy rate approved by the voters, waiving the I % limit of RCW 84.55 (commonly referred to as a "lid lift.") 3. WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the accelerated demands for, and increasing costs of, providing services will necessitate the expenditure of revenues for improved fire protection operations, replacing apparatus and equipment, providing staffing and maintaining emergency medical service levels in excess of those which can be provided by the District's regular fire tax revenue levied at the current rate of approximately $.99 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation of taxable property within the District as limited by the 101 % limitation. 4. WHEREAS, the Board believes that establishing a limit factor of up to 3% will ensure that the District can meet service demands it otherwise could not if subject to the 101% limitation set forth in RCW 84.55. 5. WHEREAS, the District previously levied its regular property tax at the rate of $1.50 per thousand of assessed valuation of taxable property as approved by the voters. 6. WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the District that the dollar amount of the levy in the sixth year of the levy authorized by this Resolution serve as the levy base for purposes of applying the limit factor established by RCW 84.55.010 in subsequent years. Resolution: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 4, Whatcom County, Washington as follows: Section 1. In order to maintain and increase the level of fire protection, prevention, emergency medical services and the protection of life and property in the District, it is necessary for the District to operate and maintain emergency fire and medical service vehicles, to acquire and improve station and other capital facilities and to retain properly trained personnel equipped with proper firefighting and emergency medical equipment. Section 2. In order to provide the revenue adequate to pay the costs of maintaining and providing the services described in Section I above and to assure the continuation and improvement of such services the District shall, in accordance with RCW 84.55.050, remove the limitation on regular property taxes imposed by RCW 84.55.010, and levy beginning in 2023 and collect beginning in 2024, pursuant to RCW 52.16.160, a general tax on taxable property within the District at a rate of $0.99 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation subject to otherwise applicable statutory limits. Section 3. The proposal set forth below, if authorized by the qualified electors of the District, will allow a levy rate of $0.99 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for a one (1) year period, coupled with specified increases in property taxes collected in each of the five (5) consecutive successive years thereafter. Section 4. The amount levied in 2029 shall serve as the District's tax levy base for purposes of applying the limit factor established by RCW 84.55.010 in subsequent years. Section 5. There shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the District for their ratification or rejection, at an election on August 1, 2023, the question of whether or not the regular property tax levy of the District should be restored to $0.99 per $1,000.00 of true and assessed valuation for a one (1) year period, coupled with specified increases in property taxes collected in each of the five (5) consecutive successive years thereafter, and applying a limit factor of up to 3% annually, subject to statutory and constitutional limits, which are otherwise applicable; provided further that the dollar amount of the levy in the sixth year shall be used for the purpose of computing the limitations on future years' levies. The Governing Board hereby requests the auditor of Whatcom County, as ex-officio Supervisor of Elections, to call such election, and to submit the following proposition at such election, in the form of a ballot title substantially as follows: Name of Jurisdiction: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 4 Proposition #: Proposition No. 1 Short Title: Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services. The Board of Fire Commissioners for Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 4 adopted Resolution No. 2023-02 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations. Proposition 1 would restore the District's regular property tax levy to the previous voter -approved rate of $0.99 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2024 and permit annual revenue increases of up to 3% for each of the succeeding five years (but never to exceed the $1.50 per $1,000 rate limit). The dollar amount of the levy in 2029 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by Chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be: Approved ❑ Rejected ❑ Section 6. In accordance with RCW 84.55.050(1), the ballot measure shall require approval of a simple majority of voters. Section 7. The Board hereby assigns to the Fire Chief or designee the task of appointing members to a committee to advocate voters' approval of the proposition and to a committee to prepare arguments advocating voters' rejection of the proposition. Section 8. For purposes of receiving notice of any matters related to the ballot title, as provided in RCW 29A.36.080, the Board hereby designates the Fire Chief and legal counsel as the individuals to whom the County Auditor shall provide such notice. Section 9. The Fire Chief is authorized to implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this resolution, including the finalization of an explanatory statement, modifying the text of the ballot title and any other text, language and/or descriptions relative thereto necessary to conform such ballot title, text, language and/or descriptions to the intent of the parties, consistent with the objectives of this resolution. Section 10. The Chief, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed, no later than May 12, 2023, to provide to the County Auditor a certified copy of this resolution and the proper District officials are authorized to perform such other duties or take such other actions as are necessary or required by law to the end that the proposition described in this resolution appear on the ballot before the voters at the August 1, 2023 election. Section 11. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution is declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution. Section 12. Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective date of this resolution is hereby ratified and affirmed. Section 13. This resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS IST DAY OF MAY 2023 BY THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #4. ATTEST: Mark Lann, Tim John on, Commissioner Steve CooleXXRfimissioner Jason Van der Veen, Fire Chief 1 w ie Sand, Board Secretary Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. Four Explanatory Statement Proposition — Regular Lid Lift (2024-2029) Election Date: August 1, 2023 Name of Jurisdiction Submitting Measure: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 4 (District) Contact Name: Jason Van Der Veen, Fire Chief Contact Phone Number: 360-318-9933 The District is placing a multi -year lid lift proposition on the August 1 primary ballot. If approved, the proposition authorizes the District to restore its levy rate to $.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value, as previously approved by voters. Passage of the proposition would allow the levy dollar amount to increase by up to 3% in the succeeding five years. The dollar amount of the levy in 2029 would be used to calculate future levy increase limits. If this proposition passes, a taxpayer with the average home value of $500,000.00 would anticipate an increased tax of $15.00 per month. Explanatory Statement Drafted by Eric T. Quinn, Attorney to the District