Low Voter Turnout Could Be Fatal To Fire District Levy

Fire and disaster are facts of life for firefighters and emergency teams. What really scares the crew at Fire District 9 is voter apathy.

Low turnout at Tuesday’s election could be death for the proposed $2.1 million levy that will fund nearly half of the district’s budgets for personnel, maintenance, operation and emergency medical service.

The levy, which would go into effect in 1998, would cost taxpayers $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $145.

The 1997 assessment is $1.40 per $1,000 assessed value.

“Low voter turnout is a big issue,” said Bob Anderson, District 9 fire chief. Historically, levies have passed, but by declining margins.

District 9 serves much of suburban and rural north Spokane County, including the Five Mile, Nine Mile, Northwood, Linwood, Whitworth and Gleneden areas.

The district has seven fire stations, 40 full-time staff members and 110 volunteers.

“If it doesn’t pass, we’ll have one more chance to go for it in 1997. If that doesn’t pass, then we’ll have to take a hard look at cutting services,” said Skip Wells, District 9 deputy chief.

At least 40 percent of the voters who cast ballots in the last general election need to turn out on Tuesday to make the election valid.

, DataTimes