UPDATE: Fire District Public Hearing on Benefit Service Charge Oct. 17

Editor's Note: There was some confusion regarding the information Patch received regarding the Benefit Service Charge. Here is the press release from the district explaining the charge:

On October 17, at 5 p.m., the Woodinville Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive input on the District’s benefit service charge for 2012. The information received at this hearing will help the Board decide funding levels as part of the District’s 2012 budget process.

“The District relies on two different funding streams for its operating revenue,” explained Interim Fire Chief Mark Chubb. “Part of the money required to fund our operations comes from a property tax based on the assessed values of properties in the District.”  The benefit service charge provides a mechanism for raising the remaining funds required to support District operations. 

“The benefit service charge is assessed on improvements to property in the District and is based on the square footage of buildings, including outbuildings,” said Chubb. 

The value of any property reflects many factors, most of which have little to do with fire risk.  The benefit service charge, in contrast, recognizes that the amount of effort required to fight a fire is closely connected to the size of the property and how well it is protected.  As such, buildings protected by automatic fire sprinklers receive a significant discount on these rates. 

“In Washington, annual property tax rate increases are capped at the lesser of the inflation rate or one percent. Having a benefit service charge allows the District to maintain essential services when growth stalls and property values fall like we have seen here since 2008,” noted District Chief Administrative Officer Joan Montegary 

At present, the District anticipates property tax rates of $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. The benefit service charge will allow the District to raise additional revenues equivalent to $0.60 per $1,000 of assessed value. At the proposed benefit service charge rate, the average homeowner in the District will actually see their fire district levy payments fall in 2012 by about $18. 

“The proposed funding levels will allow the District to maintain staffing and service levels as we address the challenges facing the District, including the annexation proposed by the City of Bothell and rising demand for emergency medical services,” said Chubb. 

                       NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO: All owners of personal property and improvements to

real property located within the geographical boundaries of

Woodinville Fire & Rescue.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Commissioners of

Woodinville Fire & Rescue (“the District”) will hold a public hearing

at the date, time and place specified below to review and establish

the District’s benefit charge to be imposed in 2011 for the support

of its legally authorized activities which will maintain or improve

the services afforded in the District as provided in RCW 52.18.060.

DATE OF HEARING: Monday, October 17, 2011

TIME OF HEARING: 5:00 p.m.

PLACE OF HEARING: Headquarters, Station 31

                                       17718 Woodinville-Snohomish Road NE

                                       Woodinville, WA  98072

DATED:                         September 19, 2011

Tim Osgood, Chair

Board of Fire Commissioners