Should Fire District 17 (Granite Falls) be authorized to restore the fire levy to its original level of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value? The current level is $1.21. Cost to the owner of a $200,000 home would be an additional $4.75 a month, or $57 per year. This is a good question and I believe the answer is yes.
The last time the district collected the voter approved full amount was in 1987. In recent years there have been many demands for service and new restrictions on the amounts that can be collected to cover the cost of providing the service you now receive. The district has not asked for or raised the levy amount for 17 years. This shows the taxpayer good fiscal responsibility by the district.
However, even with good management, we are faced with rising costs and declining revenue. Many have been contacted by our firefighters with more detailed information about this restoration. We hope this has been of help.
If you would like more information on Proposition 1, please feel free to contact the Granite Falls Fire Department. Our highest priority is to maintain an adequate response to your emergency. As alarm volumes increase we will need to add personnel to meet this demand. Our second priority is to upgrade the older apparatus we are still using. These units have served us well but time takes its toll and these should be replaced so as to maintain the current level of readiness. Support the levy restoration and please get out and vote. This is a freedom none of us should waste.
RICK AINLEY
President IAFF Local 3916
Granite Falls
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