BALLOT TITLE


FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX FOR EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL

QUESTION: Shall the Scappoose Fire District impose $.66 per $1,000 assessed value for 5-years for equipment and personnel beginning 2001-2002? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

SUMMARY: A “yes” vote on this measure is a vote to increase taxes.

The approval of this tax would allow for additional paid firefighter/medical positions and funds needed for fire and ambulance equipment and facility repair. The Scappoose Fire District’s goal is to have 2 paid personnel on duty 24-hours per day. This would allow for a paramedic-staffed ambulance to respond to emergencies immediately. The District currently waits for volunteer personnel to respond to the station prior to answering your emergency call for help.

The Scappoose Fire District’s tax rate of $1.1145 per $1,000 assessed value is deemed to be inadequate to properly insure fire and ambulance service. Due to the continuing growth in the community, emergency alarms have increased 37% since 1998. This increase has become extremely demanding for our volunteer force. The Fire District’s objective is to utilize paid staff and volunteers to provide consistent full-time coverage to operate the fire and ambulance service.

The tax increase on a $100,000 home would be $66.00 per year for 5 years. The proposed rate will raise approximately $368,280 in 2001-2002, $379,328 in 2002-2003, $390,708 in 2003-2004, $402,429 in 2004-2005, and $414,501 in 2005-2006. The estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the best information available from the county assessor at the time of the estimate.


NO "EXPLANATORY STATEMENT" WAS FILED FOR THIS MEASURE