May 2023 Election for Local Option Levy

The image features a hand dropping a ballot into a voting box, with "POLK" and "FIRE" in bold typography behind it.

The Polk County Fire District No.1 Board of Directors has voted unanimously to refer a local option levy, or operating levy, of $0.78 cents per $1,000 of taxable assessed value to the May 2023 ballot. 

Learn more by clicking on the FAQ's below:

 

FAQ's:

Why is the District pursuing an operating levy? 

The District is very limited on the number of ways it can receive money. Outside of taxes, the only significant revenue comes from ambulance transports. Due to Oregon constitutional limitations, the District's permanent tax rate cannot be increased.

An operating levy is being pursued after the District became unable to meet ambulance response standards due to insufficient staffing to meet the increased demand. In the past two years, call volume has increased by 40%.

This is a graph depicting the annual call volume from 2012 to 2022. The graph shows there has been an 85% increase in call volume over the last decade.
In the past decade, call volume has increased by 85%.

The increase in call volume has resulted in an increase in overlapping 911 calls.

The graph shows the increasing percentage of overlapping calls from 2012 to 2022, rising from about 15% to over 40%.
In the past decade, the percentage of overlapping calls (multiple 911 calls at the same time) has increased by 135%.

While our 1st and 2nd staffed ambulances are able to meet response standards when they are available, when they are already on other 911 calls ambulances from other jurisdictions including Dallas, Salem, Keizer, and Albany respond to calls in our jurisdiction. This happened 359 times in 2022.  

Graph showing the reliance on a second staffed ambulance to handle 911 calls in our jurisdiction from 2012 to 2022. The graph shows there has been a 188% increase in calls in our jurisdiction.
In the past decade, our reliance on a second staffed ambulance to handle 911 calls in our jurisdiction has increased by 188%. When the second staffed ambulance is used, typically any additional EMS needs are handled by ambulances responding from outside of our jurisdiction.

 

What would the operating levy be used for? 

The operating levy is specifically aimed to support 911 response and does not increase administrative personnel. If the levy passes, the District will:

  1. Hire additional Firefighter/EMT's
  2. Fund seasonal firefighters
  3. Replace two ambulances

More detailed information below...

1. Hire additional Firefighter/EMT’s to staff an additional ambulance or fire engine 24 hours a day in order to meet response standards. 

The image compares staffing levels for emergency services under current scheduling versus proposed changes from a levy.

2. Fund seasonal daytime firefighters during the summer wildland fire season when call volume and fire impacts increase.

The image discusses the use of seasonal firefighters to manage increased fire risks and staffing during fire season.

3. Fund the replacement of two ambulances that will reach the end of their service life during the 5-year levy.

The image discusses the need to replace ambulances, highlighting their cost and essential medical equipment.
Has the District had an operating levy in the past? 
Timeline of PCFD's operating levy changes from 2004 to 2029, detailing rates and expirations over the years.

The District has passed the following levies:

  • 2004: $0.77 cents (allowed to expire after 5 years)
  • 2014: $0.19 cents
  • 2019: $0.19 cents (renewal of previous 5 year levy at the same rate)

If passed, the current $0.19 cent levy would expire in June of 2024 and the new levy would take effect in July of 2024.

How much would the levy cost me? 
A 1,396 sq. ft. home in Polk County, built in 2004, valued at $349,250 with assessed value $176,330 and operating costs explained.

In Oregon, property taxes are based on the lower of a property's real market value, or maximum assessed value.

  • Real market value (RMV) is the the price your property would sell for in a transaction between a willing buyer and seller on January 1st of the assessment year.
  • Most property owners in our Fire District pay taxes based on the property's maximum assessed value (MAV). This is what the real market value of a property was in 1995, minus 10%, plus 3% per year. (For homes that were built after 1995, a calculation is used to compare RMV to MAV for similar homes in the area).

The total property taxes to all general government services cannot exceed $10.00 per $1,000 real market value and $5.00 per $1,000 for education. 

To find the real market value and maximum assessed value of your property visit PCMAPS 5 by clicking here..

For more information on the property tax system visit the Polk County Assessor's website by clicking here.

Where does the Fire District's revenue come from? 
The pie chart shows revenue sources: Permanent Tax Rate 60%, Ambulance Service Revenue 27%, and smaller percentages for others.
What happens if the operating levy fails? 

The Fire District is intentionally going out for this operating levy a year before the current levy expires. This way, should the levy fail, the Board has time to make difficult decisions regarding the level of service that the District can provide given the level of funding that the community is willing to support. 

There are, however, not only District response standards, but State and County Rules regarding response times for ambulances. If the District cannot fund its operations at a level that meet State and County requirements, the District may need to explore alternative ways to support emergency medical response within the District.

If you have any questions, please email info@polk1.org