Statement For · Committee: Citizens for District 5 Fire Levy
statement appears humanCommittee: Connor McGreevy, Tom Pasma
Skagit County Fire District 5 provides fire, medical and other emergency services to Allen, Bow, Edison, Samish Island, Chuckanut Drive, and the surrounding areas. As a rural district, emergency services are carried out entirely through the efforts of well trained and properly equipped local volunteers who leave their homes and jobs to answer a call to service. Fire engines have a limited service life, and the cost to maintain and eventually replace them continues to climb. Inflation has also driven up the cost of other firefighting and medical equipment, communications, fuel, and operating expenses. Because Washington State law limits annual property tax revenue growth to 1% without voter approval, funding has not kept pace with the rising costs associated with providing services. This levy safeguards the area’s fire protection classification rating and helps homeowners avoid costly spikes in insurance premiums by allowing District 5 to replace aging equipment and maintain response times. The funds from this levy will equip and prepare volunteers to continue providing safe, reliable and effective emergency services to the residents of District 5. To maintain a local fire department and restore essential purchasing power to the district, vote Yes on the Fire District 5 Levy proposition.