North Whatcom Fire and Rescue schedules meetings on levy proposal

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) is holding three meetings on its levy lid lift proposal that will appear on August 6 primary election ballots.

NWFR chief Jason Van Der Veen will lead the meetings:

• 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 at Station 61, 9408 Odell Road in Blaine

• 9 a.m. Saturday, July 27 at Laurel Grange, 6172 Guide Meridian Road in Lynden

The lid lift would increase the levy rate $0.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value, from $0.76 to $1.10 per $1,000. The lid lift would cost the owner of a $500,000 home an additional $14.16 per month, or $170 per year.

The levy lid lift would fund up to eight emergency personnel, add another response unit for medical emergencies, replace a ladder truck and replace three engines.

State law limits the fire district to only collect a one percent revenue increase annually.

The district’s call volumes have doubled over the past 10 years, with EMS calls increasing 50 percent. Costs have also increased 4 to 5 percent annually, according to the district.