Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050)
PROPOSITION NO. 1
AUTHORIZING PROPERTY TAX LEVY RATE
The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department adopted Resolution No. 2008-01 concerning the financing of fire protection and emergency medical services. This proposition would allow the Department to restore its 2008 regular property tax levy rate within its previously authorized limit of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2009, authorize setting a limit factor of 106% (but not to exceed a rate of $1.50) for each of the five succeeding years, and provide that the maximum allowable levy in 2013 be used to determine future increases as allowed by Chapter 84.55 RCW. Should the proposition be:
APPROVED
REJECTED
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Shoreline Fire Department is placing a multi-year lid lift proposition on the August 19, 2008 ballot. This proposition will authorize the property tax levy rate to be re-established at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2009, coupled with annual increases of up to 6% in each of the five subsequent years. The proposition is presented to allow voters to override the limitation imposed by Initiative 747, which would otherwise limit total property tax revenue to 101% of the previous year’s revenue, regardless of the authorized dollar rate limitation of $1.50, which voters previously approved.
This proposition may be referred to as a “permanent” lid lift, which means that the 2014 levy dollar amount will be used for computing the limitations for subsequent levies.
This proposition meets the requirement of Initiative 747, that any revenue increase greater than 1%, over the previous year, be approved by the voters. Recently passed legislation allows junior taxing districts to propose multi-year lid lifts to voters.
Approval of this proposition would allow maintaining the current level of services. Rejection of this proposition would lead to the loss of up to nearly $1,600,000 annually in projected tax revenues, which would necessitate cutbacks in services, possible layoff of personnel, potential elimination of special services such as rescue teams, deferral of needed equipment and apparatus purchases, and similar cutbacks.
Statement For
Shoreline citizens expect and receive high quality Fire and Emergency Medical Services. In order to maintain our current level of services, please vote YES on Proposition 1.
Your YES VOTE ensures our fire department will remain fully ready, staffed and equipped to continue the excellent service we all want and appreciate. This is money well spent.
Historically fire departments had to come to the voters annually to request lid lifts to maintain their level of services. This is a costly and ineffective system. Recent changes allow voters to extend lid lifts six years. Bear in mind this merely maintains the previously approved level of financing. THIS IS NOT A NEW TAX.
For decades our community firefighters have been protecting our families, homes and property from fire and other life threatening emergencies. A “YES VOTE” will ensure a continuation of those high quality services and allow our firefighters to meet increasing demands.
A “YES VOTE” on PROPOSITION 1 will reauthorize your Fire District to collect $1.50 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Our firefighters are always there when we need them; now it’s our turn to help them when they need our support!
Thank you for voting “YES.”
Rebuttal of Statement Against
Don’t be misled by scare tactics. This is a renewal or continuation of a tax already being levied for fire and emergency services. The limit of $1.50 per thousand of assessed valuation does not increase!!! We are just re-establishing what we have previously authorized. There is no $800 to $1,000 increase whatsoever. Our fire and emergency services are excellent. Let’s keep them that way. VOTE YES to keep our lives and homes safer. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Rod Heivilin, Mike Guerrero, Gloria Bryce
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Statement Against
The proposed Fire District resolution #08-01 of $1.50 per $1000.00 assessed value of each home in Shoreline is too much.
We the people cannot sustain the increases that continue to come our way. The cost of living has already surpassed the average person’s income. The levies keep coming and seem to never stop. We voted for a 1% limit on any increase in taxes and this proposal is just another way to get around the will of the people. We have a school district, the transit, the high cost of gas, the growing gas taxes, property taxes that continue to rise each year, the high cost of food – all of these and more already burden the average taxpayer. For the average house in Shoreline this increase would be anywhere from $800.00 to $1000.00 more per home. Where will it end? Communities and neighborhoods will falter under the heavy tax assessments that are levied upon them. We the people must adjust our budgets when monies are tight, our government agencies should do the same. This is an ill-timed proposal and a deceptive way to get around RCW 55.
Thank you.
Rebuttal Of Statement For
Vote “No” on proposition 1
This is not a new tax, but its value has dropped to approx. $1.30 per $1000.00. Combine all the other taxes that continue to come our way and the high cost of living in Shoreline and this Proposition just adds to that burden. Our community does have excellent service from the Fire District. They all have new buildings, training centers and I believe many new vehicles. We all must live within our budgets. It is time all departments within the county live within their budgets. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Rose Coursey, Chuck Coursey
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Complete Text of Resolution
SHORELINE FIRE DEPARTMENT
(Formerly King County Fire Protection District No. 4)
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 08-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF SHORELINE FIRE DEPARTMENT (Formerly King County Fire Protection District No. 4) PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD THEREIN ON AUGUST 19, 2008, A PROPOSITION WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE A FIRE DEPARTMENT LEVY RATE OF $1.50 PER $1,000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION FOR A ONE YEAR PERIOD, AND THEN WOULD ALLOW SPECIFIC INCREASES OF UP TO 6% FOR EACH OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE SUCCESSIVE YEARS, IN PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPLICABLE TO ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE DISTRICT, IN EXCESS OF THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY CHAPTER 84.55 OF THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON AND PROVIDING THAT THE LEVY RATE IN THE SIXTH YEAR SHALL SERVE AS THE BASE RATE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF FUTURE YEARS’ LEVIES.
WHEREAS, in the judgment of the Board of Fire Commissioners (the “Board”) of the Shoreline Fire Department (the “Department”), it is essential and necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, life, and property of the citizens and residents of the Department that service levels of fire, emergency medical services and other life safety services continue to be provided at current or enhanced levels according to the Department’s strategic plan and that the Department’s facilities, equipment, apparatus, training and staffing are in accordance with applicable laws and recognized industry standards; and
WHEREAS, while in 2005 the electorate approved a property tax rate of $1.50 per $1000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2006 to deliver such services enumerated in the recital above and, due to restrictions imposed by RCW 84.55.010 and related statutes, the 2008 property tax rate is $1.30 per $1000 of assessed valuation; and
WHEREAS, under the current regular property tax rate of $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, the Department’s cost increases to offer such services have exceeded revenue increases, due to restrictions imposed by RCW 84.55.010 and related statutes, and this trend is projected to continue, and
WHEREAS, continuation of the 1% limitation imposed by RCW 84.55.010 would restrict the Department from collecting sufficient revenue to fully fund existing and planned services, necessitating a cutback in the level of certain services in the District, including deferral of apparatus and equipment replacement, potential reductions in staffing for fire and emergency medical services, potential elimination of special services such as the technical rescue team, potential elimination of certain public education activities and similar cutbacks; and
WHEREAS, RCW 84.55.050 authorizes the 1% limit on annual increases may be exceeded with voter approval, commonly referred to as a “lid lift” election, and
WHEREAS, the electorate should be given the opportunity to decide whether the potential reduction in service levels should occur or instead, whether the authorized rate of up to $1.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation should be levied and maintained, waiving the 1% limit of RCW 84.55, commonly referred to as “lifting the lid”; and
WHEREAS, current statutes authorize multi-year lid lifts for up to six years, with the rate in the sixth year being used as a base rate for establishment of the tax levy rate in future years (sometimes referred to as a “permanent” lid lift); and
WHEREAS, the Board finds that there is a substantial need to utilize such provision in the interest of providing more stable revenues and more efficient and effective services to the community;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, FOUND, DETERMINED AND ORDERED, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A regular property tax rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, applicable to all taxable property located in the District, is authorized by law, and is necessary and appropriate to levy, notwithstanding the 1% annual increase limitation of RCW 84.55.010 et seq., as amended, RCW 84.55 places a 1% limitation on the increase of tax revenue collected by the District annually. This resolution and the resultant election would give the voters the opportunity to choose to continue service according to the strategic plan of the Department and restore the previously authorized levy rate of $1.50 per $1000 assessed valuation adopted in 2005 pursuant to RCW 52.16.160 (the “third fifty cents”), waiving the 1% limit of RCW 84.55 (commonly referred to as a “lid lift”.)
Section 2. The proposal set forth below, if authorized by the qualified electors of the District, will authorize a levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for a one (1) year period (2009), coupled with specified increases in property taxes collected in each of the five consecutive successive years thereafter. There shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the District, for their ratification or rejection, at an election on August 19, 2008, a proposition to exceed the 1% limitation (and “lift the lid”) of RCW 84.55.010 et seq. and levy the full authorized rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for a one (1) year period (2009), coupled with specified increases of up to 6% in property taxes collected in each of the five consecutive successive years thereafter, subject to statutory and constitutional limits, which are otherwise applicable; provided further that the levy rate in the sixth year shall be used as the base levy rate for establishment of the levy rate for future years levies.
Section 3. The Board hereby requests the Manager of Records and Elections of King County, Washington, as ex officio County Supervisor of Elections, to call and conduct such special election to be held within the District on August 19, 2008, and to submit to the qualified electors of the District the proposition in substantially the following form:
PROPOSITION NO. 1
SHORELINE FIRE DEPARTMENT
AUTHORIZING PROPERTY TAX LEVY RATE
OF UP TO $1.50 PER $1,000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION
FOR A SIX YEAR PERIOD (2009-2014)
The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department adopted Resolution No. 2008-01 concerning the financing of fire protection and emergency medical services. This proposition would allow the Department to restore the tax levy rate within its previously authorized limit of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2009, and would authorize an annual increase of up to 6% (but not exceed a rate of $1.50) for each of the five succeeding years 2010-2014, with the 2014 levy dollar amount used for computing limitations for subsequent levies. Should this proposition be:
____APPROVED
____REJECTED
(This shall not be construed to authorize an excess levy and shall be subject to otherwise applicable statutory limits, except the 1% limitation required by RCW 84.55.010 et seq.)
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS:
To vote IN FAVOR of the foregoing proposition, mark a cross (X) in the “Levy, Yes” square.
To vote AGAINST the foregoing proposition, mark a cross (X) in the “Levy, No” square.
LEVY, YES ?
LEVY, NO ?
Section 4. The locations of the polling places, if any, shall be as specified by the Manager of Records and Elections of King County, Washington, as ex officio County Supervisor of Elections for the District.
Section 5. A notice of special election shall be published at least once, which publication shall take place not more than ten (10) days nor less than three (3) days prior to the date of said election. Said publication shall be in a newspaper of general circulation within the District.
Section 6. Approval of the proposition described in Section 3 above shall be construed and interpreted as qualified elector approval of a tax increase in compliance with RCW 84.55 as amended.
Section 7. The Secretary to the Board is hereby directed to deliver a certified copy of this resolution to the Manager of Records and Elections of King County, Washington, as ex officio County Supervisor of Elections for the District, at least 84 days before the date for the special election.
Section 8. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department on May 1, 2008.
Jon Kennison, Chair/Commissioner (signed)
Jim Fisher, Commissioner (signed)
Scott Keeny, Commissioner (signed)
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