O’Brien Explains Proposed Fire & Rescue Levy

— from Kevin O’Brien, Chief, Orcas Fire and Rescue  —

On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, the Commissioners of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) unanimously approved resolution 2014-1 which includes the approval of ballot language and direction to ask the Orcas electorate to cast their ballots for Proposition No. 1 on April 22.

The OIFR staff and commissioners performed an intensive analysis of current operations and levels of service. The examination included a detailed operational strategic planning process and a comprehensive financial analysis projecting operational expenses through 2023.

Proposition No. 1 includes the following details:

Renewal of a levy lid lift at $1.05 per thousand (This is slightly below the current millage rate of $1.0513 per thousand)
If approved, the levy will run for 10 years beginning January 1, 2015

Approval of Proposition No. 1 will enable OIFR to:

• Maintain our current levels of service for EMS, Fire, Rescue, and Public Education
• Maintain or replace as needed our current vehicles with no expansion
• Maintain our current facilities with no expansion
• Address OIFR Ten Year Financial Projection
• Address the priorities in the OIFR Strategic Plan

OIFR Levy Background

OIFR is currently funded by a special levy lid lift that was approved by Orcas voters in 1998 with a millage rate per thousand of assessed valuation of $1.35. The lid lift expires at the end of 2014 and is the primary source of funding for OIFR (99%).

In its final year, the special levy lid lift will generate $2,042,599.37 with a rate of $1.0513 per thousand dollars of assessed value.

The 2014 OIFR Operating Budget (fuel, electricity, supplies, wages, benefits) is $1,687,441. The 2014 Capital Budget (building maintenance, equipment replacement, apparatus refurbish/replacement) is $259,816.

The remainder of funds generated by the levy is used to manage cash flow and prepare for unforeseen emergency events.

Since 1999, over a period of 14 years, the special levy lid lift has enabled OIFR to improve the level of service to our community for fire protection, rescue, EMS, and public information and funded the following improvements:

• All OIFR maintenance and operations
• 24 Hour Paramedic/Duty Officer Staffing
• The construction of Eastsound Station 21 and Deer Harbor Station 24
• The purchase of Westsound Station 22
• Volunteer benefits to assure recruitment and retention of volunteer responders
• The purchase of new EMS, Rescue and Fire vehicles

If you have any questions regarding the levy please send me an email or give me a call at 376-2331.