Question: Shall Gates Rural Fire Protection District impose $2.30 per $1,000 of assessed value for operating purposes? This local option tax shall be in affect for four years. This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

Summary: The Gates Rural Fire Protection District is seeking a four year local option tax to provide funding for the continued operations of the fire district. The operating measure which voters approved in May of 1998 was taken away due to the voting requirements of Measure 50. Current funding is inadequate to continue to provide an acceptable level of emergency response.

This four year local option tax becomes effective in fiscal year 1999-2000. Voters are being asked to approve an $.84 increase over the current $1.46 tax rate, resulting in approximately $70,825 per year in total revenue.

In addition to meeting increased operating costs, new funding will allow for replacement of outdated SCBA, SCBA generator, pagers, turnout gear, and new radio equipment as mandated by FCC regulation changes. With this new option tax, the district will be able to continue to provide quality service in fire protection, emergency medical and rescue operations. By maintaining a high quality department, patrons will continue to receive a better insurance rating, reducing insurance costs to district businesses and households.