Shoreline residents will decide whether to approve a six-year fire protection levy on their primary ballots this August.
Proposition One authorizes the Fire District to restore the current levy to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation for the next six years.
“(The rate) essentially maintains the level of service we’ve got here in Shoreline,” Shoreline fire chief Marcus Kragness said. “The $1.50 rate is about what it takes to run the way we want to run and it provides the services that we believe this community wants.”
Approximately 90 percent of the district’s revenue is gained through property tax and the majority of the fire department’s annual budget increases are related to day-to day operations, including personnel and equipment costs, according to Kragness.
Under state law, fire departments are limited to a one percent growth in property tax revenue per year. That increase does not keep pace with the rising costs of emergency services and a greater demand for such services, public information officer Melanie Granfors said.
“Every single year our 911 calls go up,” she said. “Shoreline Fire responded to over 9,300 calls last year and we’re definitely on track to exceed that this year. There’s an increasing demand but we’re still talking about maintaining a certain level of service.”
A levy rate of $1.50 was last approved by Shoreline voters in 2005 for one year. Without restoring the levy, the rate fell to $1.38 in 2007 and $1.30 in 2008. A six-year levy would assure the rate remains at $1.50 without the need for elections every few years.
“We’re pretty proud that we’re talking about maintaining current service levels,” Granfors said. “We’re totally cognescent of the economic climate but we still have to do business and (department costs) are growing about four to five percent every year. The voters have seen fit to account for this growth two times before.”
If voters do not approve the levy lid lift on August 19, certain cutbacks may be necessary. A projected $1 million deficit in 2009 should the levy request fail, could result in the deferral of equipment replacement, a decrease in services and potential staff reductions, according to Kragness.
Voter approval of the levy lid lift would help the district with long-range planning while the current level of service is maintained, he added. “Since I’ve been here this community has really affirmed that they appreciate the service and I’m hopeful we have continued to warrant that confidence in the community,” Kragness said.
To learn more about Proposition One visit www.shorelinefire.com or contact Kragness at 206-533-6500 or mkragness@shorelinefire.com.
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