The Warrenton Fire Protection District once again failed to pass funding measures.
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The Warrenton Fire Protection District was seeking to pass two ballot measures for additional funding through a $10-million bond measure and a 25-cent property tax increase to hire more firefighters and purchase new equipment.
The bond measure, Proposition Life Saving Equipment, did reach a majority although it did not surpass the four-seventh majority necessary to pass, garnering 1,062 votes against (43.26%) and 1,393 votes in support (56.74%). A 57.14% was needed for passage.
The proposed 25-cent tax increase, Proposition Fire Safety which only needed to reach a simple majority, was rejected by a vote of 1,282 against and 1,179 in support.
Fire Chief Anthony Hayeslip said that he had spoken with the board members and they were disheartened with the results.
“After a strong effort we’re all disappointed and I think tomorrow we’re gonna have to go back to work,” Hayeslip said.
As voters repeatedly rejected numerous tax proposals over the past several years, officials said the funding increase was needed as the district’s population climbs and equipment ages.
A year ago, the district had sought voter approval on a $10-million bond measure that was rejected as 52% of the voters were in support, but also fell short of the four-seventh margin needed for passage.
The measure once again narrowly missed the margin for passage, this time coming within four-tenths of a percent of passing the 57.14 percent threshold.
“We were really close,” Hayeslip said.
The bond measure would have been earmarked for capital expenses. Those included paying off debt from Station 2 and the addition of housing quarters at Station 1 as well as equipment upgrades.
Station 1, which currently does not have the housing capacity to be staffed 24/7, would have been improved to give the district two fully-staffed fire stations.
The results of Tuesday’s elections have left the fire district without their desired funding once again. For now the fire district will have to continue to make do with the resources they have, and search for other avenues to find the funding they need.
“We’re just gonna have to work real hard to maintain the service we provide right now,” Hayeslip said.
