||| FROM TIM BLANCHARD |||
Kate Hansen is the best choice for SJC Fire Protection District No.2 (Commissioner 1) because, in addition to her deep Orcas roots, she brings actual work experience in fire/EMS department administration, giving her insights (about operations, human resources, finance, training, and public records issues) from the perspective of a department employee, which one really cannot get second hand.
Kate also has personal experience with the immediate challenges that our Fire Commission will (most likely) face:
• Making payroll and meeting outstanding obligations without established reserves,
• Continuing to satisfy islanders’ reasonable expectations for essential public services, and
• Restoring confidence in the administrative competence, financial integrity, and character of a beloved Orcas organization.
Kate helped meet similar challenges as a member of the Orcas Recycling Services board that rebuilt The Exchange and took on operation of the Orcas Island Transfer Station. She knows how to ask the tough questions, listen to stakeholders, and find effective local solutions for Orcas.
Please join me in supporting Orcas Island Fire & Rescue by voting for Kate Hansen, Brian Ehrmantraut, and Randy Gaylord.
What is Kate’s position on the levy?
Hi Andy,
Thanks for asking! My position is, it’s clear we need to pass a new levy to adequately fund our department. But a fiscally responsible one. We need to learn from past mistakes, not repeat them.
The November levy is a permanent increase. But the department did not ask the community’s input in their assessment of needs and priorities for our department going forward. Or provide adequate detail that allows community members to determine whether this is the correct amount to request.
Additionally, it lumps capital and operation funds together without checks and balances. Years of spending capital funds on operations, without any course correction, led to our current financial predicament. This could happen all over again if this levy passes and the funds are not properly managed over time. Only this time there won’t be a required “check-in” from the community in 10 years.
I want to see a transparently developed and fiscally responsible levy passed in 2024.