King County Local Voters Pamphlet
September 19, 2000 Primary Election Fire Protection District No. 44 - Proposition No. 1
PROPOSITION NO. 1 Shall the board of commissioners of King County Fire Protection District No. 44 be increased from three members to five members? Yes __ No __
In 1996 Fire Districts 44 and 46 began working under a joint-operating agreement, while maintaining separate Boards of Commissioners. Each Board consisted of three members for a total of six Commissioners governing fire service operations. Last February, residents in District 46 voted to merge into District 44 bringing the entire service area under a single governing body. By operation of law the Commissioners of District 46 became Commissioners of District 44. The Commissioners elected to the Board of District 46 will continue to serve on the District 44 Board until such time as their terms expire. Thus, there are presently six Commissioners on the District 44 Board. However, this number will be reduced to three without voter approval to increase Board membership. As part of the agreement to merge District 46 into District 44, the Districts agreed that the newly organized Board would seek voter approval to increase representation from three to five Commissioners. The intent of this decision was to allow voters the opportunity to maintain a level of representation similar to what existed prior to the merger. If approved by the majority of voters, permanent Board positions will be increased from three to five. Present Board membership will therefore be decreased by one. The newly created positions on the Board will be filled pursuant to State Law with any person appointed being required to seek voter approval by election to retain the position.
A YES vote is a vote for better representation and better government. Your Fire District has worked hard to deliver better service and become more cost efficient. The merger of Districts 44 and 46 eliminated a number of duplicate positions while improving fire and emergency medical service. The new Board positions will preserve the amount of representation you currently have. Having five members on the Board, means that two Commissioners can serve together on special subcommittees to address the numerous issues affecting your fire and emergency service. When two members constitute a majority of the board (as on a three-person board), state law prohibits them from meeting together to discuss District issues. Subcommittees make it possible for your elected representatives to develop expertise in such areas as finance, training, fire prevention and planning. Subcommittees provide knowledge and background information to the entire Board of Commissioners. With better understanding and knowledge of the issues facing our community Commissioners will provide better representation to citizens. Finally, without an increase in the Board membership you will have substantially less elected representation than you did prior to the merger. Preserve your representation; get better government - Vote YES on Proposition One. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: NOLAN ATTWAY, RICHARD GARNEAU
NO STATEMENT SUBMITTED.
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NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.
Updated: August 31, 2000
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