Prop #1: Levy Lid Lift
Information for residents of Point Roberts
Registered voters will be asked to vote on a funding measure for
Whatcom County Fire District 5/Point Roberts Fire Rescue on November 7
What is it?
A levy lid lift is a voter approved measure permitting a fire district to levy and collect taxes in excess of the 1% per year limit.
WCFD5 responded to 484 calls in 2022 compared to 101 calls in 2010 – a 379% increase for Fire Department services over the last 12 years. During this same period, the cost of doing business in the U.S. has risen 40%.1
WCFD5 last raised the Fire District’s levy in 2010. Due to the annual 1% limitation, our levy rate (which is the 11th lowest of the 13 fire protection districts in Whatcom County) has not kept pace with inflation.
| What would the proposed tax levy cost? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Assessed Property Value | Annual Increase | Monthly Increase |
| $250,000 | $112.50 | $9.37/month |
| $500,000 | $225 | $18.75/month |
| $750,000 | $337.50 | $28.13/month |
| $1,000,000 | $450 | $37.50/month |
| (Current levy rate is $.69/1000 and proposed levy rate is $1.14/1000.) | ||
Whatcom County Fire District 5 (WCFD5/Point Roberts Fire Rescue) provides fire, rescue and emergency services to Point Roberts – one of the most geographically isolated and stand-alone U.S. communities.
Whatcom County Fire District 5 has implemented a number of improvements...
Since the last levy increase in 2010 WCFD5 has implemented a number of service improvements including:
- Implemented staffing approaches that has doubled the number of volunteer personnel available to respond compared to 2010 levels.
- Worked to improve the community’s insurance rating from 6 to a 5 which provides insurance premium savings for residential and commercial properties.
- Purchased a new fuel-efficient fire engine with greater maneuverability.
- Trained 36 new certified medical providers with nearly half advancing to the Advanced EMT level.
- Trained over 300 community members in CPR and other First Aid procedures to solidify the “Chain of Survival” for the community.
- Developed a Community Paramedic program that supports residents through weekly home visits.
Average to Emergency Calls
Once Dispatched
The levy will fund these future WCFD5 items:
- Complete capital needs/projects
- Maintain/expand current level of service and day-to-day operations
- Stop ambulance billing when transported by this agency
- Maintain/expand weekend duty program for community coverage
- Provide safety clothing to volunteers
- Maintain/expand community risk reduction programs (Community Paramedic, CPR, falls, hoarding, cooking safety, etc.)
- Provide volunteer safety programs and training
- Expand day duty program for EMS
- Develop hospital return transport “Welcome Home” program
484 Calls in 2022
Compared to
101 Calls in 2010
A 379% Increase
Over the Last 12
Years For Fire
Department Services