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Home My WebLink About2022 - Whatcom County Prop 2022-6 Regular Property Tax for Emergency Medical ServicesFINAL LANGUAGE Ballot Title Whatcom County Proposition 2022-6 Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Medical Services The Whatcom County Council passed Ordinance 2022-055 concerning the renewed funding for the countywide Emergency Medical Services system. Will Whatcom County be authorized to continue to impose a regular property tax levy of $0.295 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of the six consecutive years, with collection beginning in 2023, for the continued provision of emergency medical services? Yes No Explanatory Statement This proposition would authorize Whatcom County to renew the additional regular property tax levy approved by the voters in 2016 to fund the countywide provision of emergency medical services (EMS), including related personnel costs, training, equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures. To provide stable funding for EMS at the current level and sustain the system into the future, the renewed levy would be imposed at the same rate of $0.295 or less per $1000.00 of assessed valuation as the existing EMS levy on all taxable property within Whatcom County and would continue for six consecutive years, beginning in 2023. Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1 Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2022, Nov 08, 2022 2023-01-18 All Precincts, All Districts, All ScanStations, WC Proposition 2022-5 Children's Initiative Levy Lid Lift, 09:29:02 WC Proposition 2022-6 Regular Property Tax Levy EMS, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 111791. Registered Voters: 157683, Overall Turnout: 70.90% Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts WC Proposition 2022-5 Children's Initiative Levy Lid Lift (Vote for 1) 111791 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 3227 undervotes), 157683 registered voters, turnout 70.90% Yes 54290 50 01% No 54270 49.99% Total 108560 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 3227 WC Proposition 2022-6 Regular Property Tax Levy EMS (Vote for 1) 111791 ballots (2 over voted ballots, 2 overvotes, 3693 undervotes), 157683 registered voters, turnout 70.90% Yes 69129 63.95% No 38967 36.05% Total 108096 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 3693 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ) ss COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) This is to certify that on November 8, 2022, there was held a special election in 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 29, 2022, and the results of said canvass are as reads above. Dated this 181h day of January, 2023, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Stacy Hentho( Chief Deputy Auditor Whatcom County Auditor's Office Whatcom County Courthouse 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 January 18, zoz3 Election Results Receipt Diana Bradrick County Auditor Stacy Henthorn Chief Deputy Auditor Copies of the following proposition election results from the November 8, 2022 General Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office: • Whatcom County, Proposition No. 2022-5, Children's Initiative Levy Lid Lift ■ Whatcom County, Proposition 2022-6, Regular Property Tax Levy EMS Recut Acknowledged. Assessor's Office: Name Treasurer's Office: Date 1 /Z.&F /Zoz -3 Date Administration Elections Licensing Recording We gladly accept Auclitor@comhatcom.wa.us Elections@co.whatcom.wa.us Licensing@comhatcomma.us Recorcling@comhatcornma.us relay calls. 360-778-5100 360-778-5102 360-778-5100 360-778-5100 Whatcom County Auditor's Office -u* 4 Ballot Measure Coversheet Nwe District Name: Whatcom County District Address: 311 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 998225 Contact Person i Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council Name & Title 360-778-5010 DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Karen Frakes Name & Title 360-778-5757 kfrakes@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Explanatory Statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed loo words "For" and "Against" Committee Appointment Forms Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet I 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 Contact Person a Jackie Lassiter, Legislative Clerk Name & Title 360-778-5018 jlassite@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? Q Yes Q No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Received In Person :k AUG 0 2 2022 Whatcom County Elections This form is available in a fillable form on the Auditor's website: https;//www.w_h..atcom_county.us/3�93/D_istrict Resources. Deputy Auditor's Signature Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225 4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2022-382 File ID: AB2022-382 Version: Status: Substitute Adopted File Created: 06/28/2022 Entered by: Department: File Type: Ordinance Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Agenda Date: 07/26/2022 Primary Contact Email: mhilley@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Final Action: 07/26/2022 Enactment #: ORD 2022-055 Ordinance providing for submission to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition renewing the levy of a regular property tax at a rate of $.295 or less per $1000 assessed valuation to continue to provide emergency medical services SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 07/12/2022 Council INTRODUCED Council Committee of the Whole Aye: 4 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay- 3 Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner Absent: 0 07/26/2022 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 1 Elenbaas Absent: 0 Abstain: 1 Kershner 07/26/2022 Council SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Whatcom County Page t Printed on 712712022 Aoenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2022-382) Aye: 5 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 1 Elenbaas Absent: 1 Byrd Attachments: Memo (from June 21 packet), Ordinance, Substitute Levy Plan (Frazey) for July 12, EMS - BLS Budget, EMS Ordinance for Introduction July 12, 2022, Substitute Ordinance as Amended in COTW 7.26.22, Lagerway EMS Levy Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 712712022 Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2022-382 File ID: AB2022-382 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Adopted File Created: 06/28/2022 Entered by: Department: File Type: Ordinance Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 07/26/2022 Agenda Date: 07/26/2022 Enactment #: ORD 2022-055 Primary Contact Email: mhilley@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Ordinance providing for submission to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition renewing the levy of a regular property tax at a rate of $.295 or less per $1000 assessed valuation to continue to provide emergency medical services SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 07/12/2022 Council INTRODUCED Council Committee of the Whole Aye: 4 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 3 Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner Absent: 0 07/26/2022 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 1 Elenbaas Absent: 0 Abstain: 1 Kershner 07/26/2022 Council SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 712712022 Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2022-382) Aye: 5 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 1 Elenbaas Absent: 1 Byrd Attachments: Memo (from June 21 packet), Ordinance, Substitute Levy Plan (Frazey) for July 12, EMS - BLS Budget, EMS Ordinance for Introduction July 12, 2022, Substitute Ordinance as Amended in COTW 7.26.22, Lagerway EMS Levy Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 712712022 1 PROPOSED BY: 2 INTRODUCTION DATE: JULY 12, 2022 3 4 5 ORDINANCE NO.2022-055 6 8 PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF WHATCOM COUNTY 9 A PROPOSITION RENEWIING THE LEVY OF A REGULAR PROPERTY TAX EACH YEAR 10 FOR SIX YEARS, COLLECTION BEGINNING IN 2023, AT A RATE OF $.295 OR LESS 11 PER $1000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY 12 MEDICAL SERVICES, IN THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 3, 2022 13 14 WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a complex, coordinated response 15 and Emergency Medical Care system, that requires people and agencies to perform an 16 essential role as part of a coordinated, tiered, and seamless system of integrated 17 emergency medical care; and 18 19 WHEREAS, fire districts, departments and agencies provide first responder services 20 and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service and the Bellingham Fire Department and 21 Whatcom Fire District #7 provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service; and 22 23 WHEREAS, Whatcom County's EMS system has evolved over 48 years, and has 24 transitioned into a tiered level of services supported by the countywide EMS Levy; and 25 26 WHEREAS, the countywide Emergency Medical System serves all of Whatcom 27 County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas; and 28 29 WHEREAS, the EMS system responds to a broad range of people who will benefit 30 from responders reflecting the diverse communities of Whatcom County; and 31 32 WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services are essential and necessary for the 33 protection and health and life of Whatcom County residents, and stable funding through the 34 countywide Levy is a practical solution to continue providing EMS services at the current 35 level as described in the 2023 to 2028 EMS Levy Strategic Plan in order to sustain the 36 system into the future and to meet increased demands for service. 37 38 WHEREAS, the EMS system also includes regional support programs and services 39 that provide administration, medical oversight and direction, citizen and emergency 40 personnel training, planning, public education, and other support programs and services; 41 and 42 43 WHEREAS, investing in programs and services to improve diversity, equity, and 44 inclusion in the workplace, including training and dedicated personnel to improve and track 45 progress on recruitment and retention, hiring practices, and a workplace culture of inclusion 46 may enhance EMS service delivery and better assist those in need; and 47 48 WHEREAS, The EMS Levy Planning Committee confirmed by the Emergency Medical 49 Services Oversight Board (EOB) recommended a funding strategy and levy rate that will 50 support and sustain the countywide EMS system; and 51 52 53 I WHEREAS, the state legislature, through RCW 84.52.069, has recognized the needs 2 and concerns described above, and has provided the mechanism for achieving a stable 3 funding source for the provision of such Emergency Medical Services through a voter 4 approved levy, and 5 6 WHEREAS, supporting the EMS Levy, as a primary funding mechanism for 7 countywide EMS, is key to advancing Whatcom County's diversity, equity, and inclusion 8 priorities; and 9 10 WHEREAS, The EMS Levy Planning Committee and EMS Oversight Board 11 recommends the continuation/renewal of the countywide EMS Levy to provide a stable 12 funding source that will sustain the system for the next 6 years; and 13 14 WHEREAS, in order to assure the continued provision of services, it is both 15 necessary and appropriate to renew the regular property tax levy of $.295 or less per $1000 16 of assessed valuation as provided for in this ordinance; 17 18 WHEREAS, if the voters approve the proposed renewal of the EMS levy, for the tax 19 year 2023, the property tax levy rate would be set at $0.295 per $1,000 of assessed 20 valuation; and 21 22 WHEREAS, beginning in the 2024 tax year and for the remaining tax years of the 23 levy, the County Council would have the opportunity to review and potentially reduce the 24 EMS property tax levy in its annual EMS property tax levy ordinance, if the Council 25 determines that EMS needs can be fully met with a lower levy; 26 27 NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF WHATCOM COUNTY DOES ORDAIN AS 28 FOLLOWS: 29 30 Section 1. Approval of cities over 50,000 population. Pursuant to RCW 84.52.069, 31 approval to place this county -wide levy proposal on the ballot has been obtained from the 32 legislative body of the City of Bellingham through Resolutions 2022-15 . The City of 33 Bellingham is presently the only city in Whatcom County having a population over 50,000. 34 35 Section 2. Deposit of levy proceeds and eligible expenditures. All levy proceeds shall 36 be deposited into the County Emergency Medical Services Fund. If approved by the 37 qualified electors of the County, all levy proceeds authorized in the ordinance shall be used 38 only for the provision of emergency medical services, including related personnel costs, 39 training for such personnel and related equipment, supplies, vehicles, and structures needed 40 for the provision of emergency medical services, and as may otherwise be provided under 41 RCW 84.52.043. Where permissible by law, personnel costs and training should also include 42 essential diversity, equity and inclusion components of recruitment, hiring, retention, and 43 training of personnel. 44 45 Section 3. Type of Levy. Pursuant to the authorization in RCW 84.52.069, this levy is a 46 regular property tax levy on all taxable property located in Whatcom County and is in 47 addition to the statutory tax rate limit of RCW 84.52.043. 48 49 Section 4. Levy Rate. The proposed levy rate submitted to the voters shall be $.295 or 50 less per $1000 of assessed valuation each year, for six consecutive years, beginning in 51 2023. The collections of the taxes will begin in 2023. Taxes will be based on the previous 52 year's assessment. 53 I Section 5. Ratification by the Electorate. The proposal for this levy shall be submitted to 2 and approved by the voters in accordance with RCW 84.52.069. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 Section 6. Call for Election. A ballot measure for a proposition authorizing the levy described herein shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Whatcom County at the general election to be held on November 8, 2022. The Whatcom County Auditor is hereby authorized, directed, and empowered to cause notices of this ordinance and such election in accordance with the state constitution and general law and to submit to the registered voters of the County, at the special county election, the proposition hereinafter set forth. Furthermore, the County Executive is hereby authorized and requested to initiate the appropriate action necessary to ensure a proposition in substantially the following form shall be submitted to the voters of Whatcom County: Whatcom County, Washington Proposition : Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Medical Services The Whatcom County Council passed Ordinance 2022- 055 concerning the renewed funding for the countywide Emergency Medical Services system. Will Whatcom County be authorized to continue to impose a regular property tax levy of $0.295 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of the six consecutive years, with collection beginning in 2023, for the continued provision of emergency medical services? Yes No Section 7. Authorization for Interlocal Agreements. The County Executive is hereby authorized and requested to negotiate interlocal agreements: 1) with the City of Bellingham and Fire District #7 for EMS services consistent with the recommendations of the EMS Levy Planning Committee and the EMS Oversight Board; 2) and Whatcom County Fire Districts where levy collections provide fire agencies with limited BLS funding consistent with RCW 84.52.069 relating to the provision of emergency medical services over the length of time the levy in imposed. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Section S. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance or the application of the provision to ot;h r persons or circumstances is not affected. \\�t�iPffB'1�%I day of July 2022.. \`� •••• C 0/ j•� �c1� WHATCOM�COUNTY COUNCIL • G� WHAY, WASHINGTON D a fiF\lark of -the Council Todd onovan, Council Chair WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE APPROVED AS TO FORM: WHATCOM COUNTY, W_A,$HINGTON /s/ Karen Frakes (approved via phone 7.25.22) / A Karen Frakes Civil Deputy Prosecutor —?- Irt "'�( AtA,- Satpal Sidhu, County Executive (/—<) Approved ( ) Denied Date Signed: I certify to,(atGA6 Worm County Council Ordinance No O DanaIrowr Da►r6VIe O� : Clerk of zee Cvdo61H 2022-055 is a true and correct copy. Date RESOLUTION NO. 2022 -15 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, APPROVING A COUNTY WIDE BALLOT PROPOSITION FOR A LEVY TO FUND A COUNTYWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2023, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028, PURSUANT TO RCW 84.52.069 1 WHEREAS, in 2016 the Whatcom County electorate approved a six -year county -wide levy of not more than 29.5 cents per thousand dollars assessed valuation each year, for a period of six consecutive years to provide stable and long-term funding for countywide emergency medical services ("EMS") (the "2016 EMS Levy"); and WHEREAS, the 2016 EMS Levy expires on December 31, 2022; and WHEREAS, in anticipation of the expiration of the 2016 EMS Levy, the Whatcom County Emergency Medical System Oversight Board ("EOB") convened an EMS Levy Planning Committee on March loth, 2021, with the mission "to recommend a funding' strategy and mechanism that will support a countywide emergency medical system"; and WHEREAS, the EMS Levy Planning Committee has produced the 2023-2028 Levy Plan that has been endorsed by the EOB; and WHEREAS, among other findings and recommendations, the 2023-2028 Levy Plan recommends submission to the Whatcom County electorate of a ballot proposition for the continuation of county -wide regular property tax levy of not more than 29.5 cents per thousand dollars assessed valuation each year for a period of six consecutive years for the purpose of continuing to provide stable and long-term funding for countywide' emergency medical services; and WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the Whatcom County Council adopted Ordinance 2022- 055, providing for submission to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition renewing the levy of a regular property tax each year for six years, collection beginning in 2023, at a rate of $0.295 or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation to continue to provide emergency medical services, in the general election to be held November 3, 2022; and WHEREAS, RCW 84.52.069 requires the approval of the legislative authority of a majority of at least seventy-five percent of all cities exceeding a population of fifty thousand within the county to put an EMS Levy on the ballot. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM: i RESOLUTION APPROVING A COUNTYWIDE BALLOT PROPOSITION City of Bellingham FOR A LEVY PURSUANT TO RCW 84.52.069 - 1 City Attorney 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-778-8270 Section 1. The City of Bellingham supports the Whatcom County EMS Levy Planning Committee recommendations prepared and submitted to the EMS Oversight Board in May 2022 and supports placement of a ballot proposition on the ballot in the 2022 general election, as set forth in Whatcom County Ordinance 2022-055. Section 2. The City of Bellingham hereby approves, pursuant to RCW 84.52.069, submission to the voters of a ballot proposition described in Whatcom County Ordinance 2022-055 for the continuation of countywide regular property tax levy of not more than 29.5 cents per thousand dollars assessed valuation each year for a period of six consecutive years, commencing January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2028, to provide stable and long-term funding for countywide emergency medical services. PASSED by the Council this 1 st day of August, 2022. Council President APPROVED by me this day of LI c T 2022. M ATTEST: i Fi Di ct APPROVED AS TO FORM: Office of the City Attorney RESOLUTION APPROVING A COUNTYWIDE BALLOT PROPOSITION FOR A LEVY PURSUANT TO RCW 84.52.069 - 2 City of Bellingham City Attorney 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-778-8270 Finance Department City of Bellingham August 2, 2022 To Whom It May Concern, I, Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk, hereby certify that the attached copy of Resolution #2022-15 is a true and correct copy of the original Ordinance AB 23382 approved by the Bellingham City Council on August 1, 2022. Kelley Goetz Date Deputy City C erk Office: (360) 778-8010 1 Fax: (360) 778-8001 1 Email: finance@cob.org I www-cob.ar finance 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham WA 98225 LEVY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES EXPLANATORY STATEMENT: This proposition would authorize Whatcom County to renew the additional regular property tax levy approved by the voters in 2016 to fund the countywide provision of emergency medical services (EMS), including related personnel costs, training, equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures. To provide stable funding for EMS at the current level and sustain the system into the future, the renewed levy would be imposed at the same rate of $0.295 or less per $1000 of assessed valuation as the existing EMS levy on all taxable property within Whatcom County and would continue for six consecutive years, beginning in 2023.