City of Kenmore- Proposition No. 1

BALLOT TITLE
PROPOSITION NO. 1

Shall the City of Kenmore be annexed to and be a part of King County Fire Protection District No. 16?

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT:
The Northshore Fire Department (King County Fire Protection District 16) serves virtually all of the area incorporated as the City of Kenmore, as well as all of the City of Lake Forest Park. Now that Kenmore has been incorporated, it has the option of providing fire protection and emergency medical services by annexing to the Northshore Fire Department, forming its own fire department, or contracting with a fire service provider.
If the City of Kenmore is annexed to the Northshore Fire Department, the delivery of fire protection and emergency medical services by the Northshore Fire Department will continue uninterrupted. Property within the City of Kenmore will continue to be assessed in the same manner and rate as all other property within the Northshore Fire Department’s service area. Citizens residing within the City will remain eligible to vote and run for the position of Fire Commissioner.
If the majority of the citizens voting on the proposition in the City of Kenmore and a majority of the citizens voting on the proposition in the Northshore Fire Department Service area vote in favor of annexation, the City of Kenmore shall be annexed and remain part of the Northshore Fire Department.

STATEMENT FOR
Keep our Fire Department
Vote yes to annex to Fire District 16
Annexation is the responsible decision for Kenmore citizens because:
• Annexation assures continuation of our professional, high quality fire and emergency medical services.
• The Fire District has its own funding sources that will not compete with Kenmore’s police, roads, parks and other services.
• Annexation will keep residential and business insurance rates lower.
• Removing Kenmore from the Fire District and splitting the service area would diminish the quality of service, increase cost of operations and potentially increase insurance rates.
• Kenmore has been well served by the Fire District for over 50 years. We have invested in personnel, stations, engines, equipment and training - let’s not lose our investment.
• Annexation to the Fire District is recommended by the Kenmore Incorporation Feasibility Study and King County Fire District 16 Service Study.
• A "Yes" vote is the strong recommendation of our City Council Members, Fire Commissioners, and professional Firefighters.
To keep our Fire Department, annexation is the only choice.
Vote yes to annex to Fire District 16

REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT AGAINST
Fire District 16 costs are less than those of Bothell, Bellevue, Woodinville and Shoreline. All have budgets in excess of the $1.50 per thousand average now levied by District 16. Kenmore cannot provide the same or better services residents currently receive if the budget is reduced by one third. A new city fire department would necessarily reduce funding for roads, police, parks and basic city services. Keep quality fire service.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: DAVID MAEHREN, MICHELLE STRAUSS, ROBERT BANNISTER

STATEMENT AGAINST
Your no vote guarantees a reduction in your property taxes. The vote to incorporate was an affirmation that all municipal services should be provided by the city. The city council has the obligation to provide the same or better levels of municipal services that residences received before incorporation. The city MUST provide fire protection for the regular tax levies of $1.00 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation without "special benefit charges." The Fire District charges Property owners the regular tax and as much as 80% more for a "special benefit charge." Cities can not collect special charges. If the cities of Bothell, Kirkland and Bellevue can provide fire and life protection services without "special benefit charges" then so can Kenmore. A yes vote is a license for the city to charge you maximum taxes. Vote no to reduce and limit your property taxes.

REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT FOR
Your NO vote creates the city of Kenmore Fire Department, which will receive its share of People and Property from King County District 16 or the Northshore Fire Department. Residents of the city will continue to receive high quality service from the same firemen as always. Your NO vote will consolidate urban service under one level of government and make the Kenmore City Council responsible for protecting your lives and property. This is one time when you can REDUCE your taxes and continue to receive the same high quality service that you have always enjoyed. VOTE NO on annexation to fire district 16.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: C. W. "CHIP" DAVIDSON

NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.