Leavenworth-area fire district seeks first levy boost in 37 years

June 12--LEAVENWORTH -- The last time Chelan County Fire District 3 came before voters asking for an increase to its tax levy, it was 1980.

Since then, with climbing property assessments and a 1 percent lid on any levy increases since 2001, the largely rural, wildland district's tax rate has fallen from $1 to 39 cents per $1,000 on assessed property value. A new "lid lift" referendum on the Aug. 1 special election ballot would put the district, which protects the city of Leavenworth and its surroundings, back on a $1 footing.

If approved, says Fire Chief Kelly O'Brien, District 3 would be able to modernize equipment; go from three full-time firefighters to five; go from three live-in firefighters at its stations to six; move seasonal firefighters from a three-month stint to six months to cope with longer burning seasons; and emphasize a district-wide Firewise program to advise residents on how to protect their property.

"Our staff is is the same now as it was in 1996, and there's a lot more work to do now," O'Brien said.

The district's 39-cent tax rate is the second-lowest among Chelan County's eight fire districts, above only Entiat's, according to a district comparison chart. Chelan County 1, which protects Wenatchee, is at $1.37 per $1,000 value and seeking an increase this year to $1.42. A $1 tax rate for District 3 would place it just above Lake Chelan's District 7, which now has the third-highest rate at 99 cents per $1,000.

The district extends from Leavenworth north on Chumstick Highway nearly to Plain, and south to the Icicle Road-East Leavenworth Road area. It's changed greatly since that 1980 levy, and its fire department needs to catch up, O'Brien said.

"The whole county's a fire-prone area, and there's more and more structures all the time. On our Titus Road area, that used to be all orchard. Now it's condominiums."

Voters granted District 3 a $2.3 million bond issue in 1997 to build its main fire station, located near Cascade High School on Chumstick Highway. Those bonds are reaching the end of their 20-year life, O'Brien said, meaning a lid lift won't be a "double hit" on taxpayers. ("I have a very tax-conscious board," he said.)

Last year, District 3 laid off one staffer to help pay for equipment needs. The average age of district's fire vehicles is just over 16 years, O'Brien said, and unless staffing and equipment are updated, insurance rates within the district could rise.

Owners of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $9.48 in property taxes if voters approve the lid lift. The district's website offers a FAQ, tax calculator and more information at chelanfd3.org/levy.

Reach Jefferson Robbins at 509-664-7123 or robbins@wenatcheeworld.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRobbinsWW. Contact him securely by PGP key.

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