DISCOVERY BAY — With the Jefferson County Fire District No. 5 permanent levy failing in last week’s primary election, district commissioners have decided to try again in the next election.
Several times last week before many of the ballots were counted — but success was dim for the permanent levy proposal — Fire District No. 5 Chief Ben Cooper said a five-year levy would be sought on the general election ballot if the permanent levy did not pass in the primary.
The all-mail general election will be held Oct. 19-Nov. 7.
“Chief Cooper spoke for what he understood and knew at the time,” said George Eims, fire district commissioners chairman.
“In some ways it really doesn’t make any functional difference whether it’s a five-year [levy] or a permanent levy.”
The levy, which would have had residents paying no more than 50 cents annually for every $1,000 of assessed property valuation, had to win by a 60 percent supermajority.
It has received only 57.25 percent, or 158 votes, to 42.75 percent, or 118 votes in opposition in tallying that becomes finished and certified on Friday.
The levy was earmarked for emergency medical services.
Separate budgets
Fire and medical services have two separate budgets, with emergency medical services totaling about 66 percent of the fire district’s overall expenses.
County Assessor Jack Westerman said residents of Fire District No. 5 this year paid 47.2 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, although six years ago voters passed the expiring levy and allowed for 50 cents for every $1,000 of valuation.
Westerman said the emergency medical services levy garnered $46,735.80 for the district this year.
Eims said because of the 1 percent maximum increase per year cap on property taxes, taxpayers would not end up paying 50 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property valuation.
For a $200,000 home, the owner would pay $100 every year if the levy was 50 cents.
Voters still have say
Eims said a permanent levy as opposed to a five or six year levy doesn’t make much difference because with the 1 percent cap, the fire district would need voters to approve more money to the district anyway.
“The reality is, even if we had a permanent levy, we’d have to ask for a lid lift to ask for more than the 1 percent increase,” said Eims.
“It’s pretty much immaterial.”
Eims said if the levy doesn’t pass in the general election, the fire district will lose nearly all of its emergency medical funding and can expect that service to be curtailed.
“If you want to sum it up, we’ll still come,” Eims said.
“But over time we won’t bring much stuff with us.” Eims said.
