After two previous rejections in 2023, Orcas voters have approved a five-year tax levy for the fire department.

Of the 4,700 registered voters, 1,415 cast their ballots in an April 23 special election. An overwhelming number, 68 percent, voted in favor of the levy while 32 percent voted no.

The levy lid lift is for Orcas Fire and Rescue to provide operations for fire and emergency medical services. The new levy amount will start in 2024 at 77 cents per thousand assessed value for five years, ending in 2029. According to OIFR, the goal is to maintain staffing and existing levels of fire and medical services and a stable reserve.

Board of Fire Commissioners Chair Brian Ehrmantraut said in a statement, “I want to thank the voters of Orcas who supported this additional tax to assure the services you have come to expect regardless of the time of day or night.”

Commissioner Randall Gaylord attributes the voter turnaround to public engagement, which he says was initiated by the Fire District Stability Citizens Group. The consortium began meeting with fire district board candidates in the summer and fall.

“The stability group shows the power of the citizens’ participation when addressing ballot measures, and I am grateful for their work in helping with letters to the public, signs, and the town hall meeting in late January,” Gaylord said.

An outreach subcommittee with Commissioners Tim Fuller and Jim Biddick and Fire Chief Holly VanSchaick attended community meetings in Olga, Eastsound and Deer Harbor. Ehrmantraut said the stability group or another form of citizen involvement will be used when evaluating future proposals for voter approval to fund OIFR’s capital projects, including replacing or refurbishing apparatus and equipment.

Ehrmantraut also expects that the board will be “closely looking at all expenditure items, knowing that with just five years duration voters will have the opportunity to express their view whether the monies are appropriated and spent wisely.”