Fire merger on ballot

Tuesday is the deadline to cast votes for two fire district measures in Mason County on the special election ballot.

Grapeview Fire District 3 is proposing to merge with Central Mason Fire District 5 to provide fire and emergency medical services to areas served by the two districts.

West Mason Fire District 16 is proposing a property tax levy of 50 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for six years, beginning this year, for emergency medical services.

Both need a simple majority to pass.

Ballot drop boxes for the special election are at Mason County offices Building 1 at 411 N. 5th St. in downtown Shelton; Shelton Family YMCA on Shelton Springs Road; the Port of Allyn at 18560 E. state Route 3; the Horton Community Center at 4360 Grapeview Loop Road in Grapeview; the Fire District 16 station at 4650 W. Dayton Airport Road; and the Twin Totems Store on the Skokomish reservation at 19390 U.S. Highway 101.

The commissioners of Fire District 3 in November unanimously approved and filed a petition with District 5 to be merged with it. District 5 commissioners unanimously passed a resolution approving District 3’s petition. Voter approval is the final step.

The District 3 Facebook page states the district is challenged by a lack of administrative staff, a retiring fire chief, the increased cost of wages and benefits for all staff, a substantial increase in the cost of supplies and services, an unsustainable budget, an increased number of calls and ambulance transports, and the increased complexity of administrative requirements.

In the Facebook post, District 3 states the benefits of a merger include improved staffing at the Grapeview fire station, a full-time trained administrative staff, cost reduction of the purchase of supplies and equipment in larger quantities, reduced overhead costs due to the consolidation of fire chief and administrative staff, improved training, lower costs for homeowner’s insurance, a staff fire mechanic, and the potential for paramedics to be stationed at the Grapeview station.

If the merger passes, the levy rate would increase 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, effective July 1. West Mason Fire District 16’s new levy would only be used for medical services. The Mason County voter pamphlet states that about 60% of calls for services to the district are emergency medical service calls.

The statement in support of the measure in the Mason County voter’s pamphlet states, in part, the levy money will help provide “Faster response. Better care. Paid staff means immediate help, day or night. Imagine facing an emergency — wouldn’t you want experienced responders rushing to your aid? … Our volunteer system is incredible but relying solely on it is risky. This levy creates a stable, dependable EMS force of volunteers supported by paid staff, ready when we need them most.”

No one submitted a statement against the proposal for the pamphlet.