Questioning FFD’s Calcualtions

Dear Editor: By now most of the residents in Fire District #1, Forks have received their brochure detailing the request by FD1 for a levy increase........

October 22, 2015 3:37 pm

 

Questioning FFD’s Calcualtions

Dear Editor:

By now most of the residents in Fire District #1, Forks have received their brochure detailing the request by FD1 for a levy increase. However, the information in the document is misleading at best and in some cases totally incorrect.

Example is the actual cost of the levy to taxpayers, FD1 states that on a $200,000 home one would pay only $68, this is simply not true. The language in the actual election voters guide states that ”this proposition authorizes the district to establish a regular property tax levy of 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation  for collection in 2016 AND (emphasis added) authorizes annual increases of three percent for each of the succeeding years to fund a paid fire chief position and to maintain or INCREASE STAFFING (emphasis added) and service levels.

The language in the actual request goes on to say “ the maximum allowable levy in 2020 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided in Chapter 84.55 RCW. “

The current levy amount is 41 cents per $1,000, the district is asking for an increase of 34 cent a $1,000, with a total levy amount to be levied to the taxpayers of 75 cents per $1,000 of accessed valuation.

Therefore the correct cost to the taxpayer for a $200,000 home in 2016 would be $150!  NOT the $68 called for in the brochure!

Also, why did the district not tell the community what the salary for the Fire Chief’s position would be? Will the salary include benefits and at what rate? What is the basis for the salary, comparable salaries for similar positions or some other benchmark? Will this position be supervised by the Fire District Commissioners and will they be responsible for performance evaluations and management issues as they arise?

Also, the number of calls listed in the brochure for 2014 was 124. What was the need for those calls? Were they all critical in nature? Did the district receive reimbursement for calls outside the district, on private or public land? It would be helpful to know these facts in order to understand the impact to current volunteers.

Many junior taxing districts like FD1, have depended on timber tax revenue for years, that revenue has dropped since the DNR no longer cuts timber in the volumes required to sustain the level of funding that the taxing districts have counted on to fund their operations, the obligation is shifted to the taxpayer! This is evident when FD1 notes that the timber tax revenue for years, 1994 to 2003 was $78,200 and from 2004 to 2013 was only $18,200. But, note that property taxes increased from $90 to $120,000. Who absorbed the difference, you and I when we paid our taxes!

We do appreciate our volunteer firefighters, I have watched them work tirelessly to protect property and lives, but to management of the district, please be truthful when asking us for help, you will find that our community always steps up to the occasion, but we do not appreciate vague descriptions and erroneous facts.

Nedra Reed

Forks, WA

 

 

Editor’s note-Due to the election fast approaching I asked the Fire District to respond to the letter submitted by Nedra Reed.

Fire District #1 Response

In response to the letter to the editor regarding the recent brochure from Fire Protection District #1:

The brochure clearly displayed the requested tax increase will be $68 on a $200,000 assessed value home.

Secondly, the pay rate for the proposed chief’s position is yet to be determined. There is a considerable range in salary levels for comparable positions and the board will find a rate appropriate for Fire District #1.

The district is reimbursed for coverage of public properties within Fire District #1.

With respect to how critical were the calls, it is impossible to “rate” how critical a call is or will be, especially if your chimney or home is on fire, a car is rolled over in a ditch somewhere, an illegal fire burning trash, or a false alarm at the school. We respond to them all with the same professional urgency.

Fire District #1 has made every effort to present the facts in an open and forthright manner.

The Board of Commissioners meet monthly on the second Sunday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Forks Fire Station, 11 Spartan Ave. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend. Feel free to contact representatives from the district if you are unable to attend the meetings.

Deb Palmer, Secretary

On Behalf of the Board of Commissioners and Volunteers for Fire District #1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editor’s note-Due to the election fast approaching I asked the Fire District to respond to the letter submitted by Nedra Reed.

Fire District #1 Response

In response to the letter to the editor regarding the recent brochure from Fire Protection District #1:

The brochure clearly displayed the requested tax increase will be $68 on a $200,000 assessed value home.

Secondly, the pay rate for the proposed chief’s position is yet to be determined. There is a considerable range in salary levels for comparable positions and the board will find a rate appropriate for Fire District #1.

The district is reimbursed for coverage of public properties within Fire District #1.

With respect to how critical were the calls, it is impossible to “rate” how critical a call is or will be, especially if your chimney or home is on fire, a car is rolled over in a ditch somewhere, an illegal fire burning trash, or a false alarm at the school. We respond to them all with the same professional urgency.

Fire District #1 has made every effort to present the facts in an open and forthright manner.

The Board of Commissioners meet monthly on the second Sunday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Forks Fire Station, 11 Spartan Ave. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend. Feel free to contact representatives from the district if you are unable to attend the meetings.

Deb Palmer, Secretary

On Behalf of the Board of Commissioners and Volunteers for Fire District #1