PORT TOWNSEND — A ballot measure will go before voters Nov. 8 calling for the annexation of Port Townsend into Jefferson County Fire District No. 1.
The Port Townsend City Council unanimously approved the effort Tuesday and the fire district commissioners followed suit Wednesday.
Annexation would increase property taxes for municipal residents by $1 per $1,000 of valuation because they would be part of the junior taxing district.
The city currently contributes $831,138 per year from its general fund to the district for fire protection services. That works out to about $0.57 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Emergency medical services are paid through an EMS tax levy.
The City Council has explored the notion of rolling back its taxing authority by $0.57 per $1,000 of assessed valuation as a means to offset the fire district tax levy and encourage voters to approve the annexation.
It will hold a workshop regarding that issue at
6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 250 Madison St.
Port Townsend has been served by East Jefferson Fire and Rescue (Fire District No. 1) since Jan. 1, 2007, when the city contracted for the services, essentially merging the municipal and county fire departments in all but taxation.
But a disparity in taxes reared up last year when residents of the fire district approved a tax levy increase to $1 per $1,000 of assessed valuation but city residents later rejected a measure calling for a levy lid lift so that the city could pay the fire district at the same rate as district residents.
The fire district wants Port Townsend to pony up an estimated additional $718,463 for 2011 and 2012.
The City Council directed City Manager David Timmons to negotiate with the fire district to close that funding gap at the request of the district.
Tax rates resulting from a successful annexation vote would not be levied until 2013.
If annexation fails, the fire district would still expect the city to pay at a rate equal to district home owners.
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Philip L. Watness is a freelance writer and photographer living in Port Townsend. He can be reached at whatnews@olypen.com.
