||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
San Juan County Auditor, Natasha Warmenhoven, is seeking people interested in writing arguments against the San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 ballot measure for the voters’ guide.
In order to ensure an informed electorate, and in accordance with state law, every district that places a measure on a ballot is responsible for appointing committees to write voters’ guide arguments both for and against the proposition. If a district is unable to appoint committees, that responsibility falls to the County Auditor.
The San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 (Orcas Island Fire & Rescue) has placed on the August primary ballot a levy to restore regular property tax to support the District. The District has appointed a committee to write an argument supporting the proposal. It was unable to find persons willing to write an argument opposing the measure.
For that reason, County Auditor Natasha Warmenhoven is seeking people interested in writing arguments against the measure.
If you are interested in writing an opposing argument, please contact the Auditor at natashaw@sanjuanco.com, or (360) 370-7551. Up to three people may be named as argument writers, though they may seek the assistance of as many people as needed. Statements are limited to 250 words.
About the San Juan County Auditor’s Office
The San Juan County Auditor’s Office is responsible for financial reporting and budgeting for the County, overseeing elections, processing licenses, and more. The department’s main office is located at 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Auditor’s Office, visit www.sanjuanco.com/165/Auditor.
They can find no one to write an argument against? Seriously? Where did they look? I think we have seen more than enough people who are candidates for writing this. As a prior member of OIFR they have my email if they need my help with this. Seriously? Did they look?
It is in the works…
There is a committee and a signatory list of those opposed to this…this poorly handled proposed levy. This should be opened for public review and input. Failed in August if not.
Unfortunately you will probably see more articulation on this front then support with the current offer.. it will come around.
The reason that it will pass is because of the very large geriatric population here that count on the Emergency Medical Service.
There has been and will always be this service. The politics of fear about this subject may indeed be an important element of this entire discussion toward appropriate sustainable funding going forward for OUR Department.
The current Orcas Fire levy is $.5883604945 per thousand assessed value. Their website appears to set the proposed levy rate at $1.06 per thousand. That would be an 80.16% increase over tax year 2023 levy rates, and almost certainly even more over the 2024 levy rate, at which the existing levy reportedly falls off an unspecified cliff. And I believe they are considering a permanent levy versus a number of years levy … that needs to be explained to voters.
Fire districts that include EMS services are costly from both a capital investment and wages/benefits perspective. The fire district is going to have to better define their future spending plan (medical aid, fire equipment, station rebuilds) to justify such a significant increase.
Voters need a clear and understandable explanation on where their significant tax increase money is planned to be spent.
Not advocating for or against at this point … just pointing out it’s not yet made clear what the public will be voting for that will maintain or improve the EMS and fire service on Orcas.