APPLEGATE VALLEY RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 9
RURAL FIRE PROTECTION OPERATIONS PROPOSED TAX LEVY 2018
 
Applegate Valley Rural Fire Protection District No. 9 has referred the Operations Tax Levy 2018 to the ballot for the voter ‘s’ consideration. If the levy passes, the fire district would be able to maintain operations. The staff of seven full-time staff members would be retained, and the average response time of three minutes would continue. The District, in addition to a Tax District Rate, has received funding from a Fire District Levy and by consecutive levies passed by the Applegate Community. These local levy options supplement the Tax District Rate.
 
Purpose
Operations Tax Levy currently funds one-third of the operation of the fire districts seven stations and personnel.
 
History
1980                Tax District Rate initiated for basic services
1997                Oregon State Measure No. 47 and No. 50 initiated
  • Reduced Tax District Rate by 21 percent
  • Unalterable (frozen) Tax Rate
1998                5-Year Local Levy Option passed by Applegate District voters
  • Hired one full-time Headquarters Fire Officer
  • Funded continuation of Emergency Services

First Local Levy (July 1, 1999, through June 30, 2004) passed at $1.00 per $1,000 of Assessed Property Value
  • Levy funded:
    • Continued Staffing of three Fire Officers and one Office Manager
    • Hired 3 full-time Shift Officers to provide 24/7 Coverage
    • Hired 3 Seasonal Summertime Firefighters
    • 2 Brush Engines (constructed by Fire District Personnel)
    • 1 Jaws of Life rescue tool
    • 2 “Midi” Structure Engines (constructed by Fire District Personnel)
    • 16 Used Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Second Local Levy (July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009) passed at $.85 per $1,000 of Assessed Property Value
  • Levy funded:
    • Maintained Staffing Levels at seven full-time employees and three Seasonal Employees
    • 1 “Midi” Structure Engine (constructed by Fire Personnel)
    • 1 Used Water Tender for Station 5
    • 1 Jaws of Life rescue tool
    • 1 Well/Septic System installed at Station 6
    • 2 Staff Vehicles
    • Station 7 on Griffin Lane constructed
    • Headquarters Parking Lot paved
 
 
Third Local Levy (July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2014) passed at $.85 per $1,000 of Assessed Property Value
  • Levy funded:
    • Maintained Staffing Levels at seven full-time employees and three seasonal employees
    • 1 Used Water Tender added to Station 5
    • 1 Staff Vehicle
    • 1 Utility Van
    • 1 Pumper to Headquarters
    • 1 Water Tender replacement to Station 4
    • 1 Vehicle Lift installed at Maintenance Shop
    • 1 Water Tank installed at Station 4
    • 1 Water Tank installed on Forest Creek
    • 1 Water Supply Pump installed next to Applegate Store (to create a draft site in Applegate)
    • Parking Lot paved at Station 1
    • Parking Lot paved at Station 4

Fourth Local Levy (July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2019) passed at $.92 per $1,000 of Assessed Property Value
  • District increased its rate by $.07 per $1,000 Assessed Property Value by renewing its pledge to develop and follow a five-year strategic plan
  • Levy funded:
    • Maintained Staffing Levels at seven full-time employees and three seasonal employees
    • Student Program to allow additional staffing at Headquarters
    • Training/Community Building constructed on District land next to Headquarters
    • 27 sets of Structural Protective Clothing (Turnouts)
    • 1 Staff Vehicle
    • 1 Used Fire Engine for Station 6
    • 1 Used Water Tender for Station 2
    • New Dormitory Rooms constructed at Headquarters
    • Upkeep/Maintenance Issues addressed and completed at all seven stations
    • New generator for Headquarters    

Proposed Tax Levy if passed would be assessed from July 1, 2019, through June 30th, 2024. District will be proposing a $ 0.13/$1,000 of Assessed Property Value increase to the current $0.92/$1,000 Assessed Property Value for a total of $1.05/$1,000 of Assessed Property Value.
 
If the intended Levy passes, it would fund:
  • Continuing 24/7 staffing with 7 full-time employees
  • Increasing Summertime Seasonal Firefighters from three to six
  • Installing a Manufactured Home with dorm rooms for a resident firefighter program at Station 1
  • Replacing fire engines that will be 31 to 41 years old at time of replacement
Replacing one staff vehicle that will be 21 years old
 
If Levy does not pass
  • Real property taxes would remain at $1.67/$1,000 of assessed value and the $1.05/$1,000 of assessed value would not be assessed, resulting in a one-third reduction in the District’s Operating Budget
  • Most full-time staff would be laid off
  • 24/7 Staff Coverage would end
  • Summertime Seasonal Firefighters program would end
  • Replacement of aging vehicles would not happen
  • The district would revert back to an all-volunteer response
  • Response times would increase
  • The Districts Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating would be downgraded, which would increase homeowner insurance rates.
 
 
District Goals
  • Retain Community confidence and support
  • Continue Community safety
  • Seek additional funding mechanisms to include; Grants, Bonds and Donations
  • Maintain District’s Footprint
 
This information was reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office for compliance with ORS 260.432.
 
Mike McLaughlin, Fire Chief
Applegate Valley RFPD #9