CKFR details lid lift plans
June 11, 2008 · Updated 1:54 PM
As the values of local homes increase, the funding that Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue (CKFR) relies on is on the decline .
It was one of the main topics of discussion at Wednesday nights Central Kitsap Community Council (CKCC) meeting. CKFR chief Ken Burdette presented funding and response information to explain what the district will be facing in the coming years.
When Initiative 747 was passed in 2001, it restricted the department to a 1 percent increase in tax revenue per year plus new construction. Because of the restriction, the department has decided to go to the voters in May 2006 for a lid lift, but has plans to explore the different options with the community at future meetings.
We can only increase 1 percent plus new construction, we cant keep up, Burdette said.
This year the levy rate is at $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value, but next year the rate decreases to $1.02. CKFR receives about 90 percent of its funding from property taxes.
Even though property values go up, the rate drops, Burdette said. A lid lift is the easiest way to increase revenue.
If voters agree to the lid lift, the assessed taxes would be $1.40 (per $1,000 in assessed property value) in
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