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April 27, 2023
BURLINGTON, WASH. — Skagit County Fire District No. 6 Board of Fire Commissioners will meet May 10 to discuss a resolution to place a fire levy lid lift on the November 7, 2023, general election ballot. The community is encouraged to attend the meeting at 6 p.m. at 16220 Peterson Road.
Call volumes have skyrocketed 102 percent since 2016. The fire district responds to 1,200 calls per year, of which 67 percent are for emergency medical service (EMS). Revenue is not keeping up with current demand for services and higher call volumes are leading to longer response times.
“This is a safety issue for our community,” Assistant Chief Ed Tjeerdsma said. “We require additional personnel and facility improvements to keep up with the higher demand for emergency services.”
If approved by voters, the fire levy lid lift will fund:- Two additional firefighters to reduce response times
- Replace an aging ambulance and self-contained breathing tanks and protective gear for firefighters
- Renovations to add more sleeping quarters at the fire station to allow for additional 24-hour emergency response coverage
The fire district plans to pay cash for these capital items as opposed to borrowing money which costs taxpayers more in interest payments.
Skagit FD6 is asking voters for a $0.35 lid lift to bring the fire levy rate to $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The lid lift would cost the owner of a $400,000 home an additional $140 per year or $11.67 per month.
More information can be found at www.skagitfire6.com. Assistant Chief Ed Tjeerdsma welcomes your questions at etjeerdsma@skagitfire6.com or 360-757-2891.Contact:Eddie Tjeerdsma , Fire Chiefetjseedrma@skagitfire6.com, 360-757-2891 x103