Fire District 5 Invites Residents to Levy Lid Lift Virtual Public Meeting on July 19 at 5:30 pm - Zoom Meeting ID: 863 4722 8674 Passcode: 721851 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86347228674?pwd=c0x6eFpBOHE1Y3d4U016ek9ieFNCdz09
What’s on my ballot?
Clark County Fire District 5 is asking voters for a fire levy lid lift. The proposal will be on the August 2, 2022 Primary Election ballot as Proposition 1.
Who provides my family/business with fire and emergency medical service?
CCFD5 has a cooperative agreement with the Vancouver Fire Department to provide fire and emergency medical service. This provides a higher level and quality of service than the District could afford on its own.
Why is my fire district asking for this?
Call volumes have increased 20.8% in three years, but the number of firefighters serving Vancouver and the CCFD5 community has not changed for 15 years. Fire facilities are aging and require renovations for public and firefighter safety, and space for additional staffing. Emergency apparatus also needs replacing to better serve the community.
What’s the most my fire district could ask for? When was the last voter-approved tax increase?
By state law, a fire district can ask voters to approve $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Voters last approved a fire levy of $1.50 per $1,000 assessed property value (A/V) 30 years ago. Levy rates fall as property values rise to limit a fire district to roughly the same amount of revenue per year. CCFD5’s levy has fallen to $1.01 per $1,000 A/V since that time.
How much will it cost? How long will it last?
The lid lift would increase the fire levy from $1.01 to $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and last for six years. If approved by voters, the 24-cent “lid lift” would cost the owner of a $400,000 home an additional $8 per month ($96 per year). With voter approval, the District is able to increase the fire levy up to 6% per year but never exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of AV by law. (This is standard language, and the CCFD5 Board of Fire Commissioners has typically only taken a 1% increase.) Please note that the assessed value of your property is typically less than its market value.
Didn’t voters in the City of Vancouver recently pass a tax increase for fire/EMS?
Yes, voters passed a $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value tax increase for emergency services. CCFD5 is asking for $0.24 per $1,000 to keep up with rising costs to provide service.
If Vancouver property owners passed a tax increase, why are you asking us to do so?
We are served by the Vancouver Fire Department on a contract basis. This cooperative agreement provides a higher level and quality of service than CCFD5 could fund on its own. Contract costs are increasing, and we want to maintain emergency service levels for District residents and businesses.
Where can I find more information?
More information can be found on CCFD5’s website at www.ccfd5.org. Jennifer Bethke, District Administrator, also is available to answer questions about the lid lift at 564-397-2148 or jennifer.bethke@ccfd5.org.