Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
Measure No. 34-94
BALLOT TITLE
LOCAL OPTION LEVY RENEWAL FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
QUESTION: Shall TVF&R renew fire and emergency medical levy at $.25 per $1,000 assessed value for five years, beginning FY2005-2006?
SUMMARY: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) provides fire and emergency medical response services to approximately 418,000 people. TVF&R responded to 30,413 emergency calls in 2003.
In 2000, voters approved a four-year local option levy of $.25 per $1,000 assessed value to supplement TVR&R’s permanent tax rate. This levy expires June 30, 2005.
If approved, this measure would continue the $.25 per $1,000 levy for an additional five years. The levy would retain the 33 firefighters and paramedics and six support staff authorized by voters in 2000. These personnel respond to fires and medical emergencies and support incident analysis, training, technology, and accounting functions.
Levy revenues would also pay for firefighting apparatus, safety equipment, and technology improvements.
If approved, a typical homeowner would pay $46 in 2005. Assumes assessed value $182,000; market value $252,000.
Estimated revenues over five-year period: $41,316,000. Estimated revenues for each year of levy:
$7,568,000 in 2005-2006
$7,900,000 in 2006-2007
$8,248,000 in 2007-2008
$8,611,000 in 2008-2009
$8,989,000 in 2009-2010
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) provides fire suppression, emergency medical response, 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 does this measure call for?
It proposes a five-year levy with a tax rate of $.25 per $1,000, beginning in 2005-2006. This would supplement TVF&R’s permanent tax rate.
Why has the measure been placed on the ballot?
A levy with the same $.25 per $1,000 tax rate was approved by District voters in November 2000 and expires in June 2005. This measure would continue staffing, services, and capital purchases similar to those authorized by voters in 2000.
What was done with the levy funds voters approved in 2000?
The focus of the 2000 levy was additional personnel and updated technology to improve response to fires and medical emergencies. Specifically:
1.) 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 coverage.
2.) Six support staff were hired in training, technology, incident analysis, and accounting functions.
3.) Wildfire suppression vehicles were purchased.
4.) Safety equipment, including thermal imagers, was purchased.
5.) Mobile mapping terminals, which access detailed site maps, building layouts, and information on hazardous chemicals, were purchased and are being deployed to fire engines and command vehicles.
6.) A new training tower was constructed.
7.) Advanced heart defibrillators are being purchased.
What would the 2004 levy pay for?
If approved, this measure would retain personnel hired with the 2000 levy and continue funding for firefighter safety and response aids. Specific expenditures would include:
1.) Retaining thirty-three current firefighters and paramedics and six support staff positions.
2.) Retaining thirty-three current firefighters and paramedics and six support staff positions.
3.) Rescue tools for use at accident scenes.
4.) Wildfire suppression and rescue vehicles.
5.) Continued development of the mobile terminal project through purchase of additional building design, chemical storage, and access mapping data.
6.) Support of general District operation, including hiring and training of personnel, equipment, and other tangible items supporting emergency response operations.
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
.05/$1,000
$1.83/$1,000 Permanent rate
Levy (being voted on)
Bonds
Total
Levy cost to typical home: $46*
Total cost: $333*
*Assumes 2005 assessed value: $182,000, market value: $252,000.
What happens if this measure fails?
Maintaining emergency response services would remain TVF&R’s priority. However, because the levy provides 13.5% of total District operating revenues, significant reductions in staffing and operations would be required.
Submitted by:
Jeffrey D. Johnson,
Fire Chief
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed
Measure No. 34-94 | Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
TVF&R Board Supports Measure 34-94
As the voter-elected Board of Directors for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, we are responsible for referring Measure 34-94 to the ballot.
We are unanimous in our support for Measure 34-94 for several reasons:
- Measure 34-94 helps ensure that enough TVF&R firefighters and paramedics arrive at the scene of an accident, fire, or medical emergency to take effective, lifesaving action.
- Measure 34-94 continues the ability of TVF&R paramedics to provide first-response assistance during medical emergencies. With 22 fire stations throughout the District, TVF&R personnel are able to respond quickly to incidents. All TVF&R firefighters are certified as either a Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). As a result, there is tremendous medical expertise on every crew.
- Measure 34-94 helps protect the safety of the public and firefighters by providing four-person crews and modern firefighting and medical response equipment to ensure immediate action that is safe.
- Measure 34-94 is not a tax increase. Voters approved an identical tax rate in 2000, which expires in June 2005. This levy renews the same $.25/$1,000 tax rate for five additional years.
The culture of TVF&R is similar to what you would expect from a well-run, mid-sized private company. Customer service, a constant commitment to training and improvement, and an entrepreneurial spirit are core values complimenting our commitment to public safety.
Thank you for your past support; the men and women of TVF&R never take it for granted. Instead, this agency works hard every day to earn your confidence.
Please join us in voting “YES” on Measure 34-94.
Larry D. Goff, President
Carol A. Gearin, Vice-President
Robert C. Wyffels, Secretary-Treasurer
Clark I. Balfour, Board Member
Brian J. Clopton, Board Member
(This information furnished by Larry D. Goff, 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. 34-94 | Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT MEASURE 34-94
On behalf of the nearly 100 men and women serving as volunteer firefighters with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, we’re asking for your support of Measure 34-94.
Volunteer firefighters? That’s right. In addition to its highly-trained professionals, TVF&R maintains the largest group of volunteer firefighters of any fire department in Oregon.
We are members of the community, like you. Because of our commitment to community safety, we’ve chosen to serve as volunteers in addition to our full-time roles as workers, students, and parents.
At TVF&R, we support our professional firefighters on scene or cover vacant stations in major emergencies to continue the rapid response and high level of service you’ve come to expect. Like military reservists, we give up nights and weekends for training, so we are properly trained when needed.
TVF&R does two things we all want from the public sector and private business: it provides great service at a very competitive price. The District’s tax rate is the lowest of any comparable agency in the region, and its response capability, professionalism, and training is unsurpassed.
We’re taxpayers, and we know a great value when we see it. That’s why we’re supporting Measure 34-94, the continuation of the local option levy that we, like you, have paid to TVF&R for the past four years.
- It retains the firefighters and paramedics needed to make immediate attacks on fires and fast response to medical emergencies.
- It also continues investments in equipment and training so that the professional and volunteer personnel of TVF&R can serve you effectively and safely when you need us.
Measure 34-94 is a tax you’re already paying; it simply asks your permission to continue the levy at an identical tax rate for five more years.
Please support your professional and volunteer firefighters by voting “YES” on Measure 34-94. It’s an investment in your safety and ours.
Brett Hansen, President, TVF&R Volunteer Firefighters Association
(This information furnished by Brett Hansen, 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.
Measure No. 34-94 | Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Tualatin Valley Firefighters Support Measure 34-94
Measure 34-94 is a continued investment in your safety and the safety of the firefighters that serve you and your community.
In November 2000, voters approved a local option levy for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. The average household cost was $40-$50 per year. As a result, 33 additional firefighters and paramedics were hired and key safety technology was purchased. More importantly, our ability to respond to emergencies with safer staffing levels and with the necessary resources has dramatically improved the safety of our citizens and its firefighters.
A “YES” vote on Measure 34-94 would renew the levy for an additional five years. There would be no tax rate increase in what you’re paying for our services today; it would stay the same.
A yes vote gets you:
- Staffing levels that allow an immediate attack of fires when engines arrive with a four person crew. Federal safety regulations require a minimum four person crew on scene before interior firefighting can begin.
- Faster response to medical emergencies. All TVF&R firefighters are trained to provide emergency medical treatment, and we have the highest percentage of paramedics of any large fire department in Oregon. This gives your firefighters the ability to provide the highest level of emergency medical care available.
- Continued investment in equipment and emergency vehicles. No one takes better care of their tools and equipment than a firefighter, but eventually they wear out.
- The top rating of any fire department in Oregon by the Insurance Services Office. The ISO rating can play an important role in the fire insurance premium you pay. The better we rate, the lower your bill may be.
As your firefighters, we thank you for your support and urge you to vote “YES” on Measure 34-94. It’s an investment in your safety and ours.
Kelly Back, Vice-President
Tualatin Valley Professional Firefighters
IAFF Local 1660
(This information furnished by Kelly Bach, Vice President, Tualatin Valley Professional Fire Fighters)
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.