Tuesday’s election will determine if voters in two Snohomish County fire districts want to increase taxes to pay for additional services. The election also will decide several positions for fire commissioners, elected officials who determine budgets and policies for emergency fire and medic services.
Here’s a summary of the contested races on the ballot:
Fire levies
Fire protection district 3:
Fire District 3 provides services to the city of Monroe and unincorporated areas around Monroe. The department is a combination of career and volunteer firefighters. Officials want voters to restore and maintain a levy for emergency medical services in the amount at 50 cents per $1,000 valuation. The money will help pay for paramedic and ambulance services, officials said.
Fire protection district 27:
The all-volunteer fire district that serves the community of Hat Island is asking voters to approve a tax increase of $1 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. District officials say they need additional money to cover the rising costs of insurance, gas, vehicle and building maintenance and emergency medical and fire supplies.
Fire commissioners
Fire protection district 1, position 1:
Fire District 1 serves about 160,000 people in 29.2 square miles of unincorporated Snohomish County and also provides fire and emergency medical aid to Mountlake Terrace and Brier. Bob Meador, 65, a retired fire chief, is running against Phedra Quincey, 34, a union representative.
Fire protection district 4:
The district serves about 26,000 residents in 60 square miles centered around the city of Snohomish.
Position 1: Mark P. Hintz, 58, an insurance broker is running against Chip Lauterbach, 41, a truck driver.
Position 2: Jeremy Reichelt, 27, an insurance agent is running against Jim Schmoker, 55, an information technology manager.
Fire district 8 Lake Stevens, position 1:
Lake Stevens fire serves about 35,600 people in about 42 square miles centered around the city of Lake Stevens. Kathleen Friend, 49, a nonprofit manager is running against Vern Foster, 47, a printer.
Fire district 17, position 1:
District 17 serves about 10,000 people in about 40 square miles centered around Granite Falls. Rebecca Dane, 37, a paramedic is running against Kevin Hayes, 49, a fire captain.
Fire district 19, position 1:
The district serves 4,000 people in about 30 square miles around the town of Silvana. Kurt Winterhalter, 53, a road maintenance worker is running against Chris Edmundson, 35, a firefighter.
Fire district 22 Getchell, position 1:
The district serves about 3,000 people in about 25 square miles near Getchell. Chris Greig, 49, water district foreman is running against Timothy Bailey, 55, a self-employed volunteer firefighter.
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