||| FROM BILL BANGS |||
Since the most recent levy approval for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (the “District”) in 2014, the revenues for the District have failed to keep up with inflation. The District has faced increasingly painful budget restrictions with a decline in available reserves. Over the last ten years, the District’s performance has held steady while its call volume has increased and resources have decreased. It should come as no surprise that this combination can lead to staff frustration and burnout.
Our community owes the District an expression of gratitude for continuing to provide critical services in a timely manner — for continuing to provide fire containment and saving lives – in the face of declining resources.
The 2014 levy will expire this year. If a new levy is not approved, the revenue from property taxes available to the District will be cut in half. This means that the District’s budget will be cut in half. District staff, including responders, will be reduced, and services will be severely curtailed. The response times to emergency calls will be significantly increased. The consequence will be that Orcas Islanders will no longer receive the fire and emergency medical services they had in the past.
Please vote YES to the Fire District levy in order to restore District staffing to previous levels and ensure the continued high performance we need and expect from our fire department.
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