The August 2023 primary results are in.
Orcas Island voters overwhelmingly rejected San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2’s levy. As of Aug. 7, a total of 1,687 ballots came in with “no,” coming in at 75.41 percent, while 550 voted yes at 224.59 percent.
The Sounder reached out for comment and Orcas Fire and Rescue declined to offer a statement.
The levy lid lift proposed $1.06/$1,000 of assessed valuation in 2023 with collection beginning in 2024. The current levy was approved by voters in 2014 at $1.05/$1000. Due to the increase in property values and the statutory 1% limitation on annual property tax (I-747), the current levy rate had decreased to approximately $0.58 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
According to the voters’ pamphlet, “The new levy funding will provide support to the recruitment and retention of volunteers who serve day and night to provide emergency services to our community. Volunteers are vital to keeping the same level of service while keeping costs down. The request is for a single-year lid lift. The initial .48 cent adjustment would amount to a $20/month increase to the current fire district tax rate for a home assessed at $500,000. The rate will then be subject to the 1% rule, limiting subsequent increases in revenue to 1% per year for the life of this levy. As Neighbors Serving Neighbors, the responders of OIFR protect our lives, property, and wonderful island life.”
Opponents of the measure wrote, “This is an increase of 82.7%. If you own a property valued at $750,000 your fire department taxes will rise from $435/ year to $795/year. A $360 increase. …If approved, this levy will be a permanent increase and have no expiration date. It is not a levy that can be adjusted over time. While it budgets for ongoing capital costs there is no guarantee that capital monies will not be shifted to operations. This is what happened with the current levy and has contributed to the financial difficulties facing the department today. Capital costs should be a separate issue to assure those expenses are covered. A levy with an expiration date for operations would allow the department a better opportunity to budget and adjust for inflation as well as other outside factors. We all agree that the Orcas Fire needs renewed, stable funding to replace the levy expiring at the end of 2024. The decision to put this extreme levy increase to a vote was done without open discussion.”
In the race for fire commissioner, Kate Hansen earned 917 votes (40.49 percent) and Toni Knudson received 811 votes (35.81 percent). The two will advance to the general election. Incumbent Leith Templin received 534 (23.58 percent).
In the race for port commission, Rick Fant came in at 899 votes (40.4 percent) and Mia Kartiganer earned 800 (35.96%). They will face off in the general election. Bob Phalan received 520 (23.37 percent).
