Proposition 1 Overview
$18.5 million general obligation bond measure
Estimated cost: $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed value
Example: $267 per year ($22 per month) for a $1 million home
Note: The rate may change based on prevailing interest rates, when the bonds are issued, and assessed property values.
What would the funds be used for?
If Proposition 1 passes, the funds will be used to make needed and deferred capital investments in equipment and facilities. Many Orcas Island Fire & Rescue apparatus are at the end of their useful lives, and certain facilities need repair or improvement.
The bonds would fund:
- Refurbishing and purchasing fire engines, tenders, brush trucks and ambulances
- Rehabilitating and improving roofs, cranes/lifts, utilities, restrooms and other fire station facilities
- Other qualifying capital improvements to support firefighting capacity, prevention, protection and emergency medical services, including wildfire defense
The funds from Proposition 1 can only be used for equipment repair and replacement needs and facility repairs. The funds cannot be used to fund operational expenses for the department.
What your money would buy
| Equipment & Facilities | Cost |
| Replace 5 Fire Engines | $8,200,000 |
| Refurbish 3 Fire Engines | $2,560,000 |
| Facility Repairs and Upgrades | $2,700,000 |
| Replace 2 Ambulances | $750,000 |
| Water Tenders (buy 1, fix 2) | $2,400,000 |
| Replace 4 Paramedic and Incident Command Vehicles | $850,000 |
| Replace 1 Wildland Fire Truck | $250,000 |
| Replace 1 Rescue Truck | $340,000 |
| Replace 1 Utility Truck | $125,000 |
| Administrative Cost | $325,000 |
| Total | $18,500,000 |
Your cost
| Home Value | Annual Estimated Cost | Monthly Estimated Cost |
| $500,000 | $135 | $11.25 |
| $750,000 | $202.50 | $16.88 |
| $1,000,000 | $270 | $22.50 |
| $1,250,000 | $337.50 | $28.13 |
How general obligation bonds work
General obligation bonds spread costs over several years and can be issued as needed rather than all at once. Bond funds are legally restricted to designated capital projects. The bonds would be repaid through annual property tax levies over the 20-year term.
The proposition would authorize up to $18,500,000 of general obligation bonds in one or more issuances to be repaid over 20 years and the levy of annual property taxes to repay the bonds.
Background information
The district's apparatus and facilities committees evaluated equipment and facility conditions to identify capital needs. This evaluation informed the decision to pursue bond financing for these capital projects.
Fire protection districts in Washington State have various funding options available, including levies and bonds. The Board of Fire Commissioners selected the bond approach for these capital projects after reviewing the available financing methods.
Questions?
For questions about the bond measure, contact the Board of Fire Commissioners at bofc@orcasfire.org
We're happy to discuss fire department funding with our community. Contact pio@orcasfire.org or 360-376-2331 to schedule an educational session.