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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 - Fire Protection District 5 Proposition 2023-03 Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection and EMS General Election November 07, 2023Whatcom County Auditor's Office Whatcom County Courthouse 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 December 11, 2023 Election Results Receipt Diana Bradrick County Auditor Stacy Henthorn Chief Deputy Auditor Copies of the following proposition election results from the November 7, 2023 General Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office: ■ City of Bellingham, Proposition No. 2023-02, Greenways 5 Levy c Fire Protection District 5, Proposition 2023-03, Property Tax Levy For Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services ■ Fire Protection District 14, Proposition 2023-05, Restoring Property Tax Levy • Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1, Proposition 2023-o6, Regular Property Tax Levies Receipt Acknowledged: Assessor's Office: Re ecea Xczar Date Treasurer's Office: Steven Oliver Date 46 Administration Elections Licensing Recording We gladly accept Auclitor@comhatcornma.us Elections@comhatcornma.us Licensing@co.whatcomma.us Recording@co.whatcom.wa.us relay calls. 360-778-5100 360-778-5102 360-778-5100 360-778-5100 Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1 Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2023, Nov 07, 2023 2023-11-28 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, FD 5 Prop 2023-03 Tax Levy for Fire & 08:39:20 EMS, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 515 Registered Voters: 159811, Overall Turnout: 0.32% Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts FD 5 Prop 2023-03 Tax Levy for Fire & EMS (Vote for 1) 515 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 8 undervotes), 1247 registered voters, turnout 41.30% Approved 336 66.27% Reiected 171 33.73% Total 507 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 8 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ) ss COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) This is to certify that on November 7, 2023, there was held a special election in the Fire Protection District 5, 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 28, 2023, and the results of said canvass are as reads above. Dated this 61h day of December, 2023, Whatcom County, Washington. Diana Bradrick County Auditor Final Language Ballot Title Fire Protection District 5 Proposition 2023-03 Property Tax Levy For Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services The Board of Fire Protection District 5 adopted Resolution No. 2023-01 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations. This proposition would authorize the District to establish its regular property tax levy at $1.14 per $1,000.00 of assessed value to be assessed in 2023 and collected in 2024. The funds will maintain and improve fire protection and emergency medical services, replace apparatus, equipment and facilities and provide for firefighter safety. The maximum allowable levy in 2023 (collected in 2024) shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by RCW 84.55. Should this proposition be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement Fire Protection District 5 provides emergency fire protection and medical services to its citizens. The maximum regular levy rate for Washington fire districts is $1.50 per $1,000.00 of assessed value. If approved by the voters, this proposition will authorize the District to establish its levy rate at $1.14 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation in 2023 for collection in 2024. The District's Board of Commissioners determined that this proposition will provide funds necessary to maintain an effective level of services, fire fighter staffing, equipment and facilities in light of rising costs, rising demands and the continued growth of our community. Whatcom County Auditor's Office .!''w'�: Ballot Measure Coversheet District Information r� District Name: khpn-fcorrl Cc-�t`1 f`/ �tI f L7i� `�7�►G I�,J �j District Address: 2050 n S ❑r� load , Di D -I- I<c5 {fie 5, 1n��� . `]f3 2i3 4 Contact Person i Contact Person 2 C,hrisiQphec C �rl-cfD c-) 1'ti fi✓ Chief Name & Title Name & Title Phone & email Phone & email Brian Snure Name & Title Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? 206-824-5630; Brian@snurelaw.com (g Yes Q No Phone & email Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Explanatory Statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed ioo words "For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Complete if anything is missing... I understand that the deadline to submit the missing information is The Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot measure until all required documents have been submitted. Presenter's Signature Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Received In Person J-UL 2-7 2023 Whatcom County Elections Deputy Audito 's Signature 14 hpk Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet District Information District Name: W 11g4corYl Cove-% fy h ce- 1715 fri Cf District Address: 2050 —KP—f16Ur, r2oad Contact Person t .11r151iobec Name & Title 3-5Sy- I Phone & email Brian Snure Name & Title 206-824-5630; Brian@snurelaw.com Phone & email point lZbe-rf3, VIA . 9s2B-I Contact Person i Name & Title Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? © Yes ® No Are the following required documents included? (circle one) Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Yes No Explanatory Statement Yes No prepared by your attorney, not to exceed loo words "For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms Yes No Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Yes No Complete if anything Is missing... I understand that the deadline to submit the missing information is The Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot measure until all required documents have been submitted Presenter's Signature Date Starnp Deputy Auditor's Signature 14 WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.5 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-01 RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF LEVY GENERAL ELECTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.5 PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD WITHIN THE DISTRICT ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE, OF A PROPOSITION ESTABLISHING THE LEVY OF A PROPERTY TAX NOT TO EXCEED $1.14 PER $1,000.00 OF TRUE AND ASSESSED VALUATION SUBJECT TO OTHERWISE APPLICABLE STATUTORY LIMITATIONS. Background: WHEREAS, it is the judgment of the Board of 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. WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners has determined that the accelerated demands for, and increasing costs of, providing services will necessitate the expenditure of revenues for improved capital facilities and firefighter safety, additional apparatus, maintenance and operations in excess of those which can be provided by the District's regular tax revenue levied at the current rate of approximately $.69 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation of taxable property within the District as limited by the 101 % limitation. WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners has determined that it is in the best interest of the District that the maximum allowable 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 Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 5 Whatcom County, Washington as follows: Section 1. 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 fire fighting and emergency medical equipment. The revenues generated by this lid lift will allow the District to cover the gap between inflation and the statutory one percent limit on increases to the District's budget to fund apparatus replacement and facility upgrades and to provide for investments in firefighter safety all of which are necessary to maintain and improve the level of fire protection, prevention, emergency medical services and the protection of life and property in the District. Section 2. In order to provide the revenue adequate to pay the costs of maintaining and providing the services described in Section 1 and to assure the continuation and improvement of such services the District shall, in accordance with RCW 84.55.050, remove the one percent limitation on regular property taxes imposed by RCW 84.55.010, and levy beginning in 2023 and collect beginning in 2024, pursuant to RCW 52.16.130, RCW 52.16.140 and RCW 52.16.160, a general tax on taxable property within the District at a rate of $1.14 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation subject to otherwise applicable statutory limits. -1- Section 3. The amount levied in 2023 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 4. There shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the District for their ratification or rejection, at an election on November 7, 2023, in conjunction with the state general election to be held on the same date the question of whether or not the regular property tax levy of the District should be restored to $1.14 per $1,000.00 of true and assessed valuation, subject to otherwise applicable statutory limitations. The Board of Commissioners 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: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 5 Proposition No. 1 Property Tax Levy For Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services. The Board of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 5 adopted Resolution No. 2023-01 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations. This proposition would authorize the District to establish its regular property tax levy at $1.14 per $1,000 of assessed value to be assessed in 2023 and collected in 2024. The funds will maintain and improve fire protection and emergency medical services, replace apparatus, equipment and facilities and provide for firefighter safety. The maximum allowable levy in 2023 (collected in 2024) shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be: Approved ❑ Rejected ❑ Section 5. Pursuant to RCW 84.55.050(1), the measure requires a simple majority vote to be approved. Section 6. The Board of Commissioners finds and declares that it is in the best interest of the District to have information regarding the ballot measure included in the local voters' pamphlet. Furthermore, that the appropriate costs thereof shall be paid for by the District. The Board of Commissioners further authorizes and directs the Fire Chief to provide such information to the County Elections department for inclusion and to take other actions as necessary to that end. 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 as the individual to whom the County Auditor shall provide such notice. -2- Section 9. The Chief is authorized to implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this resolution, including 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 August 1, 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 November 7, 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. Adoption: ADOPTED by the Board of Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 5 at an open public meeting of such Board on the 12"' day of July, 2023 with the following Commissioners being present and voting: ecreta inq Hughes Commissioner Lester C/om issioner Ha er L(f Commissio�Wkatz -3- Election Date: November 7, 2023 Name of Jurisdiction Submitting Measure: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 5 Contact Name: Chief Christopher Carleton Daytime Contact Phone Number: 303-589-5565 PROPOSITION NO. 1 BALLOT ISSUE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (100 word limit) Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 5 provides emergency fire protection and medical services to its citizens. The maximum regular levy rate for Washington fire districts is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. If approved by the voters, this proposition will authorize the District to establish its levy rate at $1.14 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2023 for collection in 2024. The District's Board of Commissioners determined that this proposition is necessary to maintain an effective level of services, fire fighter staffing, equipment and facilities in light of rising costs, rising demands and the continued growth of our community. Prepared by: Brian K. Snure Attorney for District 612 S. 227`h St. Des Moines, WA 98198-6836 (206) 824-5630