November 8, 2011 Proposition 1 Levy Lid Lift

 70 square miles  87,300 population  5 stations Olympia Tumwater Yelm

Incident Responses

To deliver the most effective services with the resources available to us  Fire District revenues have not kept pace with increases in service demands  Since 2007 our levy rate has grown by only 1.6%  Current financial resources are at critical levels

 Reduced Staff: 2004-Present  Reduced support staff from 16 to 4  Cut 1 of 3 senior management positions  Cut 3 firefighter positions  Vacated 3 lieutenant positions  Decreased minimum daily staffing to reduce overtime  Cost Reductions  No cost of living increases for 4 years  Increased deductibles to reduce healthcare premiums

 Applied and received grants for:  Equipment  Increasing fuel efficiency in our apparatus  Breathing apparatus (SCBA) and mobile data terminals  Staffing  Recruitment and retention of volunteer responders  Six firefighters were hired on a five year grant that expired in 2011

 The Board of Fire Commissioners has approved placement of a six year levy lid lift on the November ballot  The ballot measure is to restore the levy to the 2004 level of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value

Without Lid LiftWith Lid Lift Current2012 Projected *2012 Levy Rate$1.18$1.30$1.50 Cost to homeowner ($220,000 average value) $21.63/month$23.83/month$27.50/month * Decreasing property values have the mathematical effect of increasing the levy rate. The 2012 rate is projected by the Thurston County Assessor to be approximately $1.30 +$3.67/month Approx. above 2012 rate

 Restore staffing  Maintain current insurance rating  Apparatus repair and maintenance  Operational fund balance

Staffing Plan  Restore engine company staffing at Station 35 (near Jubilee)  Stabilize staffing of two apparatus at Station 31 (Headquarters)  Enhance service delivery to the Station 32 area (Lake St Claire/Yelm Highway)  Restoring station resident volunteer firefighter program

Apparatus Plan  Reestablish adequate funding for our equipment repair and replacement program  Establish a cooperative and cost-effective regional maintenance program

Operational Fund Plan  The State Auditor recommended the District maintain a fund balance equal to one month’s operating expenses as a sound financial practice  The Board of Fire Commissioners has developed a plan to reach this goal

 Daily staffing will continue to be reduced  Station(s) may be unstaffed Headquarters Station 31 Yelm Hwy/St Claire Station 32 Mullen Road Station 33 Steilacoom Road Station 34 Willamette/Jubilee Station 35

 Apparatus needing repairs will remain out of service  Reduced public education and outreach

Critical Impacts  Fewer crews available to cover the growing requests for emergency services leads to longer response times  Positive outcomes for medical emergencies or structure fires diminish as response times lengthen.  We will need to request the levy lid lift again

 We have run out of adequate funding to continue to provide service at current levels.  Proposition 1 will restore the levy to the voter approved 2004 level  Six years of predictable funding will:  Stabilize station staffing & enhance response capabilities  Fund necessary repairs for response vehicles  Allow compliance with State Auditor fund balance recommendations

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