Скачать или смотреть Clark County Fire District 3 Levy Lid Lift Educational Series: A lid lift is back on the table (1/5)

Clark County Fire District 3 Levy Lid Lift Educational Video Series (1/5):

Revenue from Fire District 3’s fire levy is not keeping up with higher call volumes and costs to provide emergency services. Call volumes have increased more than 25 percent in the last six years and medical emergencies now account for 70 percent of all calls.

Fire District 3 funds both fire and emergency medical services (EMS) through a fire levy capped at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. In 2017, voters approved a fire levy rate of $1.42. Since then, it has dropped to $1.16. This is called “levy erosion” and impacts the fire district’s ability to provide service. Fire District 3 does not collect an EMS levy.

The fire district is limited by state law to just a 1 percent revenue increase per year, while costs to provide emergency services increase almost 6 percent each year.

Voters turned down a fire levy to lift the 1 percent lid in 2023. That is now impacting service levels. Two of the district's 14 firefighter/paramedics left for other jobs, those positions are now unfunded.

“The district is struggling to maintain the level and quality of emergency services our community requires,” Fire Chief Scott Sorenson said. “Revenue from our fire levy is not keeping up with the staffing levels needed to respond to calls. This is impacting the services that can be provided.”

Levy lid lift back on the table:
Costs and demand for services are outpacing revenue. Fire District 3 is discussing going to voters this year for a fire levy lid lift. The Board of Fire Commissioners is considering a $0.34 lid lift (from $1.16 to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value) during the August 2024 primary election.

The lid lift would fund:

● Twenty-four-hour staffing at all five stations

● Additional paramedic certified firefighters to improve survival rates in the community

● The purchase of a new ambulance to be used when transport cannot be delayed

● Fire station improvements that are needed to maintain operational readiness

The fire levy lid lift would cost the owner of a $500,000 home an additional $14.17 per month or $170 per year.

The Board of Fire Commissioners will discuss placing a levy lid lift on the August ballot at its March 27 meeting, which the public is invited to attend and learn more. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Station 31, 17718 NE 159th St. in Brush Prairie. You can also attend virtually via Zoom. Find the link at www.fire3.org on the Board of Fire Commissioners’ page.



Make sure to keep up to date with our upcoming events and new fire safety tips through the Fire District 3's website, facebook, instagram or twitter!

Website: https://fire3.org/
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