CKFR schedules informational lid lift meetings

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue officials are moving forward with information about their fall lid lift request.

A series of meetings have been planned for August in an effort to inform voters of the details regarding the measure they will find on the Sept. 19 primary ballot.

“We’re trying to get out and give citizens an opportunity to hear about the levy,” said CKFR Chief Ken Burdette. “We’re in the process of scheduling numerous other meetings with organizations (such as) VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and Rotary and anyone we can talk to about the levy.”

CKFR is requesting a lid lift of an estimated 2007 levy rate of $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value. If approved, this will provide CKFR with an additional $16.8 million during the course of the next five years and will aid the department in meeting the growth of the community.

The current 2006 fire levy rate is at $1.04 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The measure would reset the levy rate for the next five years to a level comparable to the rate voters last approved in 1999, according to CKFR.

Citizens will have a chance to gather more information at the following public meetings:

• 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, Aug. 5; CKFR Administration, 5300 Northwest Newberry Hill Road

Silverdale

• 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 7; Station 51, 10955 Silverdale Way Northwest

• 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 12; CKFR Administration

• 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 15; Station 41, 7600 Old Military Road Northwest

• 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 17; CKFR Administration

• 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 22; Station 56, 6470 Seabeck Highway Northwest

“The more meetings we have the better, even if it’s two people,” said CKFR Commissioner Mick McKinley.

In other CKFR news, commissioner John Wilkins Sr. recently submitted his resignation.

“With regret I make a motion to accept (his resignation),” said fellow commissioner Ralph Rogers at Monday’s board meeting.

Wilkins resigned due to personal reasons, according to Burdette.

“He’s been doing this a long time,” Burdette said.

He adds that the resignation comes as no surprise as Wilkins had talked about it recently. Wilkins served as commissioner for 10 years and has been involved with the fire service since 1962.

“He’s been an invaluable contribution,” McKinley said.

CKFR has 90 days to fulfill the vacancy. The person appointed will serve the remainder of Wilkins’ term which extends through 2007. Voters will select another commissioner in the November 2007 election.

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