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Chief’s Notes
September 2010
I read a book once titled “Everything I Ever Wanted to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” and for the longest time I subscribed to that theory, that is, until I became responsible for translating into real words and deeds the implementation of Washington State tax and levy distribution information. There is no way I was taught that subject in kindergarten, unless you want to include lessons learned when some stranger took something that belonged to me and never gave it back. That sentiment is one I often hear when talking to people about the taxes they pay for services.
While campaigning in the spring on behalf of resetting Fire and EMS levies throughout East Jefferson Fire Rescue’s service area, I received many inquiries with respect to the tax collection process and funding issues as they relate to Fire and EMS service. Also, many often wonder what the difference is between a city’s ability to assess taxes and a junior taxing district such as East Jefferson Fire Rescue. This Chief’s Note is my attempt to clear any misconceptions and try to simplify the explanations.
Cities are empowered by state law to assess taxes on property, up to a maximum of $3.60 per $1000 assessed valuation. The tax a city assesses on that basis is referred to as a general tax levy. Currently the general tax levy for the City of Port Townsend is about $1.91 per $1000 of assessed valuation on property. Every service a city provides is paid for mostly from this general tax levy. The amount of the general tax levy must be voted on by the citizens. They are then spent on parks, police, Fire/EMS, public works, roads, water department, and sewers, on and on and on! Everything gets a few pennies. In the past few years the fire department was receiving the equivalent of about $.57 from the city’s general tax levy, which is far below what is needed to sustain growing demands for service, the addition of even adequate staffing, and keeping facilities and our fleet of vehicles up to standards and operational.
Property tax is what most people complain about when the subject of taxes is on their agenda. However, there are other kinds of taxes which are collected without a public vote, which is I believe is why people get so cranky. For example, in Port Townsend there are certain utility bills which can be taxed with a majority vote of the city council, such as the city tax you pay on your cell phone bill. State law allows for cities to assess utility taxes if they so choose. Likewise, cities also have the option to add a little bit on top of the State sales tax. Half a penny here, half a penny there, two-tenths of a cent over there. (What does two-tenth of a cent look like anyway? It’s like the nine-tenths at the gas pump; I can almost see that in terms of what it is---A PENNY.)
Another way cities can raise money is through the imposition of fees, building permits, park use and parking. Think of it and most likely a fee can be attached to its use. Imposition of fees has no affect on the statutory $3.60 maximum property tax levy where most dollars come from.
In contrast to how cities collect taxes, a junior taxing district such as East Jefferson Fire Rescue has two major ways to collect enough dollars to provide the services our constituency demands. Both are tax levies. By state law we are allowed to ask for, and collect up to $1.50 per $1000 of assessed valuation for fire operations, and a maximum of $.50 cents per $1000 dollars of assessed valuation for the purpose of providing EMS services. Beginning in 2011, East Jefferson Fire Rescue will begin assessing just $1.00 per $1000 for fire in the county and $.50 for EMS, as was approved by voters in the city and county this past April. A fire levy proposition intended to fund fire department operations was rejected in the city, which has created a disparity of funding and will be addressed by the Port Townsend City Council in the coming weeks.
All monies collected by East Jefferson Fire Rescue are dedicated to fire and EMS services. In fact we must keep track of fire and EMS funds with two budgets because some funds are not to be comingled in the same account. A few weeks from now I will be posting the 2011 budget on this web site so that you are able to see where your money is being spent. It will include information on equipment and infrastructure improvements we will be making during the next two or three years. You are invited to attend one of our monthly commissioners meetings to provide input. Our next scheduled meetings on September 21 and October 19 are your opportunities. We will also announce a time and place for a special meeting sometime between those dates specifically to address budget issues. All meetings are open to the public and held at fire Station 1-5 located at 35 Critter Lane.
As of this date calls for service of all types are 8.2% above 2009. Those numbers also reflect an increase of 12% for EMS services. Even in the most difficult of times the citizens who reside within the boundaries of East Jefferson Fire Rescue are still going to need our help. Our levies are very important to maintaining as high level of service as possible.
As always, I am available to discuss issues regarding Fire and EMS services by phone or e mail. gpomeroy@ejfr.org
Sincerely,
Gordon Pomeroy
Chief
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