King County Local Voters Pamphlet
NOVEMBER 2, 1999 GENERAL ELECTION

NORTH HIGHLINE FIRE DISTRICT

Note to Voters: The Division of Records & Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.  The complete text of this measure may be reviewed at the elections department office.

 PROPOSITION NO. 1:

    BALLOT TITLE

   Explanatory Statement

   Statement for

 Statement against

BALLOT TITLE

PROPOSITION NO. 1

AUTHORIZING PROPERTY TAX LEVY

To ensure the delivery of fire protection and emergency medical services for the citizens of the District, shall North Highline Fire District be authorized to maintain its 1999 current regular property tax levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value within the limits required by chapter 84.55 RCW, for collection beginning in 2000, as provided in District Resolution No. 349?

(This shall not be construed to authorize an excess levy and shall be subject to otherwise applicable statutory limits, except Initiative 695, if approved.)

Explanatory Statement

    This proposition will authorize the levy rate to be maintained at the 1999 current level of $1.50/$1,000 of assessed value, for collection beginning in 2000, within the limits required by chapter 84.55 RCW.

    The proposition is presented to request qualified elector approval for a property tax increase, as required by Initiative 695.  Approval or rejection of Initiative 695 will be decided by the qualified electors at the November 2, 1999, election, and the exact application of its requirements on Fire District taxes is uncertain.  Approval of the proposition is intended to meet the requirements for qualified elector approval as required by Initiative 695.  Fire District tax revenues would be limited to meet the requirements of chapter 84.55 RCW.  Rejection of the proposition will result in the Fire District levy being subject to any limits imposed by Initiative 695, as well as other existing statutory limits on the rate or amount of the levy.

    If Initiative 695 is rejected, this proposition would not impact Fire District revenue since the limitations of chapter 84.55 RCW would apply to taxes collected in year 2000.

Statement for

    A "yes" vote on this measure will ensure that regular property tax levy revenues will be maintained during 2000 so that North Highline Fire District can continue to deliver the same level of quality emergency services the District provides to the community today.

    If I-695 is approved by voters, it is important that the Fire District's measure be approved so the Fire District will not lose up to $125,000 of regular property tax revenues that are needed to keep services at today's level.  This is not a new tax.  A "yes" vote will not increase property taxes.

    Fire District costs will continue to increase because of the effect of inflation on the prices of equipment and supplies used in fire service work, and because of wage increases required by our collective bargaining agreement.  Loss of revenues will cause reductions in services.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY:  David K. Lawson, Cathy Taylor, Russell J. Pritchard

Statement against

No Statement Submitted

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