Fire District 1 in Snohomish County recently proposed establishing a “fire benefit charge,” because administrators say property tax fluctuations make it difficult for the district to budget. (Feb. 10 article, “Fire District 1 to float ‘benefit charge.’?”)
How much is it going to cost me? There are no financial comparisons on the district’s site. Is the district afraid to post those numbers? Am I supposed to make a decision without that data? I have yet to receive a response to these questions from the fire chief.
I ask these questions because those of us in unincorporated areas already pay far more for fire services than homeowners in nearby incorporated areas. For instance, I researched tax data and found a house about a mile from mine that is valued almost $40,000 more, but is within the Bothell city limits. That homeowner paid $576 for all police and fire services in 2014. I paid $582 just in fire district taxes that year.
Why does FD1 need this special taxing dispensation when it’s already funded at a higher rate than other local departments? Is FD1 spending our money wisely? I have asked the chief these questions as well. No response.
I am not anti-tax. I believe in supporting our government functions. But FD1 does not get the benefit of the doubt from me.
Their administrators and union members successfully fought our annexation to Bothell twice in the past seven years. The campaign they funded and supported included outright lies (“taxes will go up!”), scare tactics (“EMT response will be slower!”) and, more nefariously, theft and destruction of campaign signs. All to save a few of their jobs. One FD1 commissioner reportedly said at a meeting: “We run this fire district for the benefit of the fire fighters.” I believe him.
Over the intervening years my neighbors and I have had to pay thousands more in taxes compared to folks living just blocks away. And what did we get? Less police service, less responsive county government and a fire district that apparently can’t balance a budget.
So you’ll excuse me if I have a bit of skepticism.
Paul Morgan
Unincorporated Snohomish County
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