HomeMy WebLinkAbout 19-85 FFFPD Support for Ballot 6A Tax IncreaseRESOLUTION 19-85
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF FIRESTONE,
COLORADO, SUPPORTING PASSAGE OF BALLOT ISSUE 6A CALLING FOR A TAX
INCREASE FOR THE FREDERICK-FIRESTONE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
WHEREAS, since it was organized in 1976, the sole purpose of Frederick- Firestone Fire Protection
District ("Fire District") has been to protect the communities it serves by providing essential, live -saving
fire suppression, rescue, extrication, hazardous materials, ambulance, -emergency medical services, public
education, and community risk reduction (collectively, "Emergency Services"); and
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2019, the Fire District's Board of Directors adopted a Resolution directing the
attached Tax Increase Ballot Issue to be submitted to the Fire District's voters during the coordinated
election Weld County will conduct on November 5, 2019 ("Election"); and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act, C.R.S. § 1-45-117(1)(b), expressly authorizes the
Town of Firestone Board of Trustees ("Board") to adopt a Resolution advocating voter approval of the Fire
District's request for a tax increase and for authority to stabilize its tax revenue during the Election; and,
WHEREAS, the Board has determined it is important to the health, safety, and welfare of Firestone citizens
that the Board adopt this Resolution urging all eligible voters to approve the Fire District's Tax Increase
Ballot Issue at the Election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF
FIRESTONE, COLORADO:
1. THE FIRE DISTRICT HAS NOT ASKED ITS CITIZENS FOR A GENERAL OPERATING TAX
INCREASE IN 13 YEARS. The Fire District provides 244hour Emergency Services coverage to approximately
35 square miles that include the Towns of Frederick and Firestone, and a portion of unincorporated Weld
County. In 2000, the Fire District had 4,500 residents. Today, the Fire District serves over 34,000 residents,
ANINCREASE OFMORE THAN 660% SINCE 2000. Growth within the Fire District is projected to continue at
the rapid rate of 5-7% per year for both Towns. The Fire District's Emergency Services responsibilities
grow as the Towns grow.
2. IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE FIRE DISTRICT'S EMERGENCY CALL VOLUME HAS
INCREASED BYSO%. The Fire District responds to approximately 2,500 emergency calls each year and this
continues to increase. In 2018, Fire District personnel impacted over 19,000 lives. Nearly 73% of its
requests for service last year were related to emergency medical situations and 10% involved motor vehicle
accidents. The Fire District also responds to residential, commercial, wildland and vehicle fires, hazardous
materials emergencies, specialized rescues and emergency management for large scale incidents, such as
the 2013 Flood,
3. Despite conscientious and transparent spending of taxpayer money, the double -impact of
upward spiraling costs and emergency service demands, and the adverse impact of the Gallagher
Amendment, has put the Fire District in a position in which CONTINUING WITHOUTA TAXINCREASE COULD
SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISE THE LEVEL OF LIFE-SAVING EMER GENCY SER VICES THE FIRE DISTRICT IS
ABLE TO PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.
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4. Stabilizing the Fire District's tax revenues, and increasing its general operating tax by 2054
mills, will provide stable and predictable revenue for the Fire District to meet the community's increasing
demands for Emergency Services. It will enable the Fire District to:
® Hire twelve ( )firefighter/paramedics. (Top Priority)
Assist firefighters by increasing their pay in relation to the current markets.
Begin replacing its aging apparatus and costly fleet. Many trucks have reached their life -cycle
and need to be replaced.
Hire emergency service personnel and purchase fire tnicks and ambulances for new fire stations
in the future.
5. The Frederick -Firestone File Board would not consider asking its citizens for pei7nission
to assume an additional tax burden, no matter how modest, if it were not essential to maintaining proper
services; however, for the last 43 years the Fire District's sole focus has been the health, safety, and welfare
of its citizens and its firefighters, and this ballot initiative is critical to the Fire District's continued ability
to provide high quality, cost-effective Emergency Services to our communities and to ensure the safety of
our firefighters.
FOR ALL OF THE FOREGOING REASONS, THE BOARD URGES VOTERS TO APPROVE ELECTION BALLOT
ISSUE 6A CALLING FOR THE FIRE DISTRICT'S TAX INCREASE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED this llth day of September, 2019.
PAP �STOIV
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ATTEST: UNi' G
Leah Vanarsdall, Town Clerk
AS TO FORM:
Town Attorney
TOWN OF FIRESTONE, COLORADO
WWA
•i Sin 14 rayor
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