Bond Proposition
2024-24
PROPOSITION 2024-24
The Board of Fire Commissioners of Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 1 adopted Resolution No. 2024-11 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to construct and equip a new fire station/headquarters and acquire new fire fighting and life safety equipment, to issue $13,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 2024-11.
Who is Whatcom County Fire District #1?
- Established in 1941, Whatcom County Fire District #1 serves a population of approximately 12,700 people.
- The District provides fire protection and basic life support (BLS) emergency services to an area of about 75 square miles that includes; Everson, Nooksack, Deming, and The Nooksack Indian Tribe.
- The District currently operates out of two stations:
- Station 81 located on Main Street in Everson. This is our Administrative Headquarters, however this station lacks the space for crew quarters and is not currently staffed 24/7.
- Station 82 is located near Nugent’s Corner. This station has crew quarters and is staffed 24/7.
- At this time the District has an Administrative staff, 5 fulltime firefighter/EMT’s, 7 part-time firefighter/EMT’s, and several volunteers that respond to approximately 1,100 emergency incidents every year.
- The District averages about 300 BLS patient transports to St. Joseph’s Hospital each year.
Why is there a need for a new Fire Station?
- Built-in 1978, our current fire station is outdated and no longer meets the needs of our growing community.
- The existing station in Everson lacks adequate space and sleeping quarters for firefighters, rendering it insufficient for modern emergency response needs.
- With the inability to sleep on shift firefighters, our current station does not currently have 24/7 coverage.
- Its location on a floodplain also poses significant risks during natural disasters. We have the potential of losing millions of dollars worth of equipment with the current location of this station.
- Renovating the existing structure to meet current seismic and building codes would be cost-prohibitive, making new construction a more practical and economically sound solution.
Station #81 Apparatus Bay shows room for some apparatus but no room for crews to train. Emergency personnel (shown here in the 2024 Flood Drill) had to overflow into the apparatus bad and still did not fit.
All remaining space in the apparatus bay and office area is being utilized beyond capacity for maintenance/shop work and training/report writing. There is no room for crew quarters for 24-hour staffing.
What benefit will a new station bring to the community?
- REDUCE RESPONSE TIMES: The primary goal of replacing the Everson fire station is to significantly reduce response times. We expect a 10% reduction in response times within the first year. The new station will allow for 24/7 staffing in the Nooksack, Everson, and northern unincorporated areas of our fire district. Additionally, our staffed station at Nugent’s Corner will remain operational, ensuring 24/7 coverage across both ends of our district.
- LOWER INSURANCE RATES: With the reduction in response times, we anticipate these improvements to have a long-term effect of lowering homeowner’s insurance rates.
- COMMUNITY and EMERGENCY SERVICES: The proposed new fire station will serve more than just emergency responders. It will be a hub for community and emergency services, featuring multi-use rooms; clinician room, training room, and space for testing processes. The station will also include a community meeting room and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC will be crucial for coordinating responses to large-scale emergencies, ensuring our community is prepared and resilient in the face of disasters.
How much will this cost?
We are asking voters to approve this $13 million bond to build a new fire station. This amount will cover the construction and equipping of the new fire station and headquarters, as well as the acquisition of new firefighting and life safety equipment for the district.
To reduce costs for our community, we have revised the station plans from a two-story building to a single-story structure. Additionally, the interior design has been optimized to improve efficiency, save space, and eliminate redundancies.
We plan to sell the current property/building that is Station #81 and will be able to use the profit to offset the cost of the bond.
Below is a breakdown of what the bond will cost based on estimated valuations.
Assessed Valuation | Rate | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
$400,000.00 | $ 0.39 | $156.00 | $13.00 |
$500,000.00 | $ 0.39 | $195.00 | $16.25 |
Station #81’s only available space for public meetings, emergency coordination, and district business meetings. Photo on right is a view of the 2024 Flood Drill showing how crowded the space was.
Pursuing Grants to Offset Costs
We are committed to securing grants to help reduce the financial burden of this bond on our taxpayers. Since November 2023, we have applied for over $12 million in grants. To date we have been awarded $114,000 of this grant funding which is being used for fire suppression and EMS equipment. We will continue to seek grant funding from local, state, and federal sources to support the station relocation project and reduce costs to our community.
Replacing the Everson fire station is not just a necessary upgrade; it is an investment in the safety and future of our community. By reducing response times, replacing outdated facilities, and providing essential community and emergency services, the replacement station will play a vital role in ensuring that Whatcom County Fire District #1 remains ready and able to protect and serve our residents.
Our awesome crew for the day, taking a moment to snap a photo in front of our current fire station.
What is the difference between a bond and a levy?
Bond
A fire district bond is a method of borrowing money to finance major capital projects within the fire district. Here’s how it works:
- Purpose: To fund large, one-time expenses such as the construction of new fire stations, purchasing fire trucks, or significant equipment upgrades. (RCW 52.16.080)
- Duration: Bonds are typically repaid over a long period, such as 10 to 30 years. (RCW 39.46.010)
- Approval: Requires a supermajority (60%) vote from residents within the fire district. (RCW 84.52.056)
- Impact on Taxpayers: Bonds result in a temporary increase in property taxes to repay the borrowed amount, including interest. Once the bond is repaid, the associated tax increase is removed.
Levy
A fire district levy is a type of property tax specifically imposed to fund the ongoing operations and maintenance of fire protection and emergency medical services in a fire district. Here’s a breakdown:
- Purpose: To cover day-to-day expenses such as salaries for firefighters, equipment maintenance, and other operational costs.
- Duration: Typically ongoing or set for a specific period (e.g., 1 to 6 years).
- Approval: Requires a simple majority (50% + 1) vote from residents within the fire district. (RCW 84.52.069)
- Impact on Taxpayers: Levies are calculated based on the assessed value of properties within the fire district, and the amount can vary annually depending on the needs of the district and property values. (RCW 52.16.130)
Key Differences
Feature | Fire District Levy | Fire District Bond |
Purpose | Daily operations and maintenance | Major capital projects |
Approval Requirement | Simple majority (50% + 1) | Supermajority (60%) |
Duration | Ongoing or specific period (e.g., 1-6 years) | Long-term (e.g., 10-30 years) |
Tax Impact | Varies annually based on needs | Temporary increase until bond is repaid |
Use of Funds | Operational costs | Construction, major equipment purchases |
Our history of levies
Whatcom County Fire District #1 passed a levy in 2015, then again in 2021, which has allowed our Fire/EMS to continue functioning.
Summary
- LEVIES provide consistent funding for the essential, everyday services needed to maintain fire district operations.
- BONDS are used for substantial, long-term investments in infrastructure and equipment that the fire district cannot fund through its regular budget.
Understanding these financial tools helps residents make informed decisions during elections, ensuring their fire district has the necessary resources to protect and serve the community effectively.
References:
- RCW 52.16.130: Fire Protection Districts—General levies authorized
- RCW 84.52.069: Emergency Medical Care and Services Levies
- RCW 52.16.080: Fire Protection Districts—Bond issuance
- RCW 39.46.010: Local Government Bond Act
- RCW 84.52.056: Excess levies and bond retirement levies