At their 09-01-98 special Board Meeting, the Board of Directors of Marion County Fire District #1 unanimously approved a resolution to place a bond measure on the November 3, 1998 General Election ballot. The Board of Directors are residents of the Fire District who are elected to represent the interests of District citizens in decision regarding Fire District policies. The Board is requesting voter consideration of this measure which, if approved, will permit the District to issue general obligation bonds to finance the following: purchase of fire vehicles, repair and renovation of fire stations to extend the useful life of the buildings, construction of a centralized training facility, a vehicle repair and maintenance facility and steel shell storage buildings. The Board placed this measure on the ballot after thoroughly reviewing the Districts current and future needs to ensure the cost effective, timely provision of services. It would fund the purchase of these fire vehicles: three fire engines, one heavy rescue vehicle, one water tender (tanker), two medic units (ambulances), two grass rigs for brush fires, two quick response units, and two wheelchair transport vehicles that provide service to District residents. Many of the Districts vehicles are outdated and require continuous and extensive repair. To repair these vehicles is no longer cost effective. Since the District is largely rural and covers approximately 89 square miles, reliable vehicles and equipment are necessary to maintain the shortest possible emergency response times.

This measure also provides funds for repair and renovation of the seven community fire stations located throughout the District. This includes repair or replacement of fire station roofs and mechanical systems such as heating and cooling systems in the stations. It also includes structural seismic reinforcement to protect firefighters from possible injury or loss of life in the event of an earthquake as well as emergency vehicles and equipment housed in these stations which are critical for emergency response during an earthquake. This repair and renovation of stations would provide safer, more efficient facilities for the Districts volunteer firefighters.

Funds for new construction would be used to build a vehicle repair and maintenance facility, a centralized training facility and steel shell storage buildings. The training facility would provide volunteer firefighters with enhanced training and therefore would also serve as an incentive in recruiting volunteers. The training facility would include a training tower and classroom space and would be located in the Brooks area.

The amount of this bond measure is $7,811,841. The bonds would mature in no more than ten years. The estimated cost to the owner of a home with an assessed value of $100,000 is 52 cents per thousand. During the next ten years, as the bonds reach maturity, the amount District residents pay per thousand would decrease as the Districts total valuation increases. (The estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the best information available from the county Assessor at the time of estimate.)

Submitted by:

Daniel C. Olsen, Fire Chief

Marion County Fire District No. 1

No arguments opposed to this measure were filed.