ARLINGTON — Leaders at Snohomish County Fire District 21 in rural Arlington are exploring their options after voters rejected a levy increase in the general election.
More than 55 percent of voters said no, according to preliminary election results. The levy would have raised the district’s fire-service tax from 69 cents per $1,000 of property value to $1.50 per $1,000.
The district commissioners want to talk to neighbors before deciding whether to seek a levy again next year, Fire Chief Travis Hots said.
The district has one of the lowest overall tax rates for firefighting and emergency medical services in the county, Hots said. It’s one of the few volunteer fire departments left here.
“We can’t provide the same level of service that the majority of the county gives for a lot less money,” Hots said.
He’s been combing through the $883,600 annual budget looking for ways to save, he said.
About half of the budget goes to the Arlington Fire Department which, through a contract, provides paramedic and ambulance services in Fire District 21, and fire service in some parts of the district.
The rest goes toward fuel, utility bills, insurance and pay for one full-time employee, a part-time secretary and half of Hots’ salary. Hots splits his time serving as chief in both Arlington Rural and Fire District 22 in Getchell.
“There is absolutely no meat on the bone,” he said. “There’s nothing to cut.”
He considered dropping the swiftwater rescue team, which costs $6,000 a year, but couldn’t do it, he said. There were no easy answers.
“That swiftwater rescue program saves more lives than our firetrucks do,” he said. “It’s a very difficult situation that we’re in.”
Seeking a more gradual increase is one of the options being considered.
Fire District 21 was created in 1960, according to the county elections office. It serves 8,214 people living in 68 square miles in the unincorporated areas of Arlington Heights, Trafton, Jim Creek, Jordan Road and Burn Road. The crews get roughly 600 calls for help a year, mostly medical emergencies.
If the levy had passed, it would have paid for around-the-clock staffing and construction of a second fire station to improve service.
Volunteer firefighter programs have been edged out in much of the county, due to changing lifestyles and state laws that require volunteers to have the same training as paid staff. All-volunteer or mostly-volunteer districts still exist here in more rural areas including Oso, Darrington, Gold Bar, Lake Roesiger, Hat Island and Robe Valley.
The restrictions and mandatory time commitments make it harder to recruit, Hots said.
“We just don’t have the massive numbers of people coming down to the fire station like they did in the old days,” he said. “There’s no financial reason. They’ve got to be in it for the pure satisfaction of helping their neighbors.”
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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