Fire District 3 to share information about levy

BRUSH PRAIRIE – Clark County Fire District 3 wants community groups to know staff are looking for opportunities to address voters’ questions regarding this November’s vote for a 13-cent increase to the district’s property tax levy.

The levy increase would add up to an additional $4.33 per month, or about $52 per year, for a property valued at $400,000, according to the district’s projections.

Interested parties can contact Fire Chief Steve Wrightson’s office at 360-892-2331 or steve@fire3.org to schedule a presentation.

The money raised through the levy increase would be used to maintain service levels. According to the district, emergency calls have increased by 40 percent in the district since 2007, and that excludes calls from Battle Ground. (The city’s contract with the district covers the cost of services in the city.)

Response times have increased, as well, which could lead to a downgrade in the district’s insurance rating and higher insurance premiums for district residents and businesses.

If the lift doesn’t pass, staffing levels with the agency would decrease, as it would be unable to pay to fill in vacant positions or replace retiring firefighters.

“We’re bare bones at the moment,” Wrightson said in a news release. “There are no plans to hire more firefighters next year.”

If voters reject the increase, the district could borrow money, but that would likely cost district taxpayers more because of interest payments, the district said.

The last time voters approved an increase in funding for emergency services was 11 years ago.