Clark County Fire & Rescue proposes tax levy hike of 9 cents

After some deliberating, Clark County Fire & Rescue commissioners voted recently to propose a 9-cent property tax levy increase, for voters to decide on in the August primary election.

Should the levy pass, the money raised would go to hiring nine firefighters to reduce response times, as well as to staff Station 22 in the Charter Oak area, west of Lewisville Park.

“It’s go time,” Fire Chief John Nohr said in a news release from the district. “We are struggling to maintain emergency service levels, and hope our community sees the value in what we are proposing.”

According to the district, response times have increased at all of its stations since 2016, or 10.6 percent districtwide. District staff pointed to lingering effects of the recession and the loss of the fire services contract for Battle Ground, worth about $2.4 million of lost revenue, to Clark County Fire District 3.

The district has cut staff, ended fire prevention and education programs and delayed vehicle replacement and facilities maintenance to compensate.

Currently, the property tax levy for the district is $1.41 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The 9-cent increase would cost the owner of a $300,000 home an additional $27 per year, or $450 total.

The voters approved a $1.50 rate in 2006, but that rate has declined as district property values increased over the years.

Should voters turn down the levy increase, Nohr said, the district may have to take out loans to replace aging vehicles and equipment, propose a bond to replace a fire station or, as a last resort, lay off staff.

“It’s not ideal,” Nohr said in the release. “But, we must be prepared for any emergency — even if it means our own.”