RENEWS CURRENT TAX LEVY FOR EMERGENCY FIRE AND MEDICAL SERVICES
Question: Shall TVF&R renew emergency services levy at $.25 per $1,000 assessed value for five years, beginning in FY 2010-2011?
This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
Summary: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (“TVF&R”) provides emergency fire and medical response services to approximately 445,000 people. In 2007, TVF&R responded to 32,103 emergency calls.
In 2000, voters approved a four-year local option levy with a tax rate of $.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. Levy funds were used to hire and retain 33 firefighters and paramedics and 6 support staff. The fire and paramedic positions increased staffing on response units to help ensure sufficient personnel arrive within the initial minutes of an emergency. The remaining positions supported incident analysis, training, technology, and accounting functions.
In 2004, voters renewed the same tax rate and services for five years.
If approved, this measure will continue the same levy of $.25 per $1000 for five more years. In addition to continuing to fund personnel, the levy would pay for firefighting and medical tools, safety equipment, and technology improvements.
If approved, the owner of a home with an assessed value of $220,000 in 2010 (estimated market value: $403,000) would pay $55 in the levy's first year.
The levy would raise an estimated $53,599,538 over five years. The estimated revenues for each year of the levy are:
$ 9,738,999 in 2010-2011
$10,206,471 in 2011-2012
$10,696,381 in 2012-2013
$11,209,808 in 2013-2014
$11,747,879 in 2014-2015
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 estimate.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) provides fire suppression, emergency medical care, rescue, and fire prevention services. TVF&R serves the cities of Beaverton , Durham , King City , Rivergrove, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, West Linn , and Wilsonville, as well as unincorporated portions of Washington , Clackamas, and Multnomah Counties .
What is the history behind this proposal?
Residents served by TVF&R first voted on this measure in 2000 and approved a four-year levy. In 2004, voters approved a renewal of the same levy and services for an additional five years.
What does this measure call for?
It proposes renewing the current levy for five more years at the same tax rate of $.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. It would continue to pay for fire suppression and emergency medical services.
When would the new levy first be collected?
It would appear for the first time on the November 2010 property tax statement. The tax rate of $.25 per $1,000 would be identical to what currently appears on individual tax bills.
What was done with the levy funds voters approved in 2000 and 2004?
The focus of both levies was additional personnel and updated technology to improve response to fires and medical emergencies. Specifically:
- Thirty-three additional firefighters and paramedics were hired. This allowed nine engine companies to increase from three to four-person crews, making faster fire attack possible. Two rescue units were also added, allowing teams of paramedics to provide additional emergency medical response.
- Six support staff were hired in training, technology, incident analysis, and accounting functions.
- Heavy rescue vehicles were purchased.
- Safety equipment, including thermal imagers and firefighter air packs, were purchased.
- Mobile mapping terminals, which access detailed site maps, building layouts, and information on hazardous chemicals, were purchased and deployed to fire engines and command vehicles.
- A new training tower was constructed.
- Advanced heart defibrillators were purchased.
What would the proposed levy pay for?
- Retains firefighter and paramedic positions funded by the previous levies. These positions help ensure sufficient personnel arrive within the initial minutes of an emergency.
- Retains support positions in training, technology, incident analysis, and accounting functions funded by the previous levies.
- Firefighter safety equipment.
- Tools for firefighting and emergency medical response.
- Emergency communications equipment.
- Technology enhancements.
Will property tax bills increase if this measure is approved?
The tax rate would remain the same, but the assessed value of most properties increases by 3% each year. As a result, the levy amount increases by the same 3%.
What is the total tax rate for TVF&R?
$1.53/$1,000
.25/$1,000
.11/$1,000
$1.89/$1,000
Permanent Rate
Levy (being voted on)
Capital Improvement Bonds
Total
Levy cost to typical home: $55*, Total cost: $416*
Assessed value: $220,000; market value: $403,000.
What happens if this measure fails?
Maintaining emergency response services would remain TVF&R's priority. However, because the levy provides 14% of total District operating revenues, reductions in staffing and operations would be required.
Submitted by:
Jeffrey D. Johnson
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District
No argument AGAINST this measure were filed.
Measure No. 34-154 | Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
TVF&R BOARD SUPPORTS MEASURE 34-154
As the voter-elected Board of Directors for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), we are responsible for referring Measure 34-154 to the ballot.
We are unanimous in our support for Measure 34-154 for several reasons:
- It is identical to TVF&R levies approved by voters in 2000 and 2004. 71% of voters approved renewal of the levy in 2004.
- As with the previous levies, it will help ensure a fast response and quick action by TVF&R firefighters and paramedics at fires, accidents, and medical emergencies.
- As a five-year levy, it will be collected for the first time in November 2010, after the current levy has expired.
- The tax rate is $.25/$1,000 of assessed value, the same as the current levy. The tax rate will not increase.
The culture of TVF&R is similar to what you would expect from a well-run, mid-sized private company. Our priority commitment to safety is complimented by core organizational values of performance, customer service, and professionalism. We emphasize training and focus on continuous improvement.
As the Board of Directors, we appreciate and thank you for your past support. The men and women of TVF&R work hard daily to earn you confidence. Rest assured they will continue to do so.
Please join us in voting “YES” on Measure 34-154.
Robert Wyffels, President
Carol Gearin, Vice President
Brian Clopton, Secretary
Clark Balfour, Board Member
Larry Goff, Board Member
Tualatin Valley Board of Directors
(This information furnished by Robert Wyffels, President, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Board of Directors)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 34-154 | Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
SAME FAST RESPONSE, SAME TAX RATE
Last year, firefighters and paramedics with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R) responded to more than 32,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls. An average of 89 times per day, we were dispatched to a reported fire or emergency medical incident and responded with speed, expertise, and compassion. Our goal is always the same: treat those in need as we would our own families.
The training and equipment available at TVF&R helps us achieve our goal of providing you and your family excellent service. The reputation of our organization attracts talented, caring firefighters and paramedics from all over the country.
Your investment as a taxpayer helps make this possible.
Thank you.
We understand that household budgets are stretched right now. Higher prices for food and fuel are just a few of the increases we are all contending with. Fortunately, Measure 34-154 is not a tax increase. It continues the same service you expect from your firefighters and paramedics at the same tax rate you have been paying for the last 8 years.
Measure 34-154 renews the same $.25/$1,000 rate that voters first approved in 2000 and then reauthorized with 71% support in 2004. For a typical home, that works out to $55 per year – but remember, you are currently paying a similar amount. If approved, this five year levy will be collected for the first time in 2010, after the current levy has expired.
For each of us, there is no better job and no better place to be a firefighter than serving you as part of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. We will be there for you and your family should you ever need us.
Thank you for your support,
Rocky Hanes
President, Local 1660
Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union
(This information furnished by Rocky Hanes, President, Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 34-154 | Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT MEASURE 34-154
On behalf of the nearly 100 men and women serving as volunteer firefighters with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, we're asking for your support for Measure 34-154.
As taxpayers and volunteers serving side-by-side with career firefighters, we get an “insiders view” of the benefits of our investment. We are supporting Measure 34-154 for three reasons:
- It retains the firefighters and paramedics needed to ensure enough personnel arrive within the first minutes of an emergency to take immediate action.
- It continues investment in equipment and training that allows TVF&R's career and volunteer firefighters to serve you in a manner that is fast, effective, and safe.
- This is the same tax rate that you (and we) have been paying since 2001. A “YES” vote simply extends the same 25 cents per $1,000 tax rate for five additional years. The tax rate stays the same - it does NOT increase .
We are members of the community, like you. Because of our commitment to public safety, we have chosen to serve as volunteers in addition to our other roles as professionals, students, and parents.
At TVF&R, we support the career firefighters at incidents and cover stations when a major event pulls crews from a large area. Like military reservists, we give up nights and weekends to train so we are ready to respond when needed. In all cases, the goal is to provide you and your family with the fast response and high level of service you expect.
A “YES” vote on Measure 34-154 continues fast emergency response at the same tax rate we all have been paying for eight years. We think that's a great investment.
Thank you for you support,
Ashley Trimble
President
Brian Almquist
Vice President
TVF&R Volunteer Firefighters Association
(This information furnished by Brian Almquist, Vice President, TVF&R Volunteer Firefighters Association)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.