The Warrenton Fire Protection District is returning to voters next week on two ballot measures that will allow for additional staffing and upgrades to aging equipment.
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The Warrenton Fire Protection District is returning to voters next week on two ballot measures that will allow for additional staffing and upgrades to aging equipment.
The district is seeking voter approval for a $10-million bond measure, known as Proposition Life Saving Equipment, that will be earmarked for capital expenses, such as paying off debt related to Station 2, adding housing quarters at Station 1 and equipment upgrades.
A 25-cent property tax increase, referred to as Proposition Fire Safety, will be used to hire additional staff to man Station 1 around the clock.
Both measures are on the April 2 ballot. The bond measure needs a four-sevenths majority, or 57.14 percent, for passage, while the proposed tax increase requires only a simple majority for approval.
“The overall scope of this whole thing is to improve our equipment, help maintain our facilities and add additional staffing,” Fire Chief Anthony Hayeslip said.
The proposal will allow the district to proceed with hiring additional staff. Hayeslip said the initial plan calls for the hiring of nine firefighters to allow Station 1 to be housed 24/7. Housing quarters would be constructed on the upper level, while the administrative offices would be moved downstairs.
The additional funding would also allow the district to upgrade equipment and its fleet of vehicles.
“It’s something we definitely need,” Fire Chief Anthony Hayeslip said. “We don’t continue going at it in spite of people. There is a true need.”
The tax rate for the bond payment is estimated not to exceed 24 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, officials said. The bond would have a 20-year expiration, unless voters decide to renew it in the future.
The district’s last tax increase came in 2001.
During that time, the district’s population and call volume has increased significantly.
In 2023, the district’s call volume was 1,867 compared to 1,343 calls in 2020. Hayeslip noted the number of calls his crews are dispatched to increases about 10 percent annually, causing the district to rely heavily on neighboring fire districts and increase response times during overlapping incidents.
Hayeslip added both ballot measures need to be passed by voters to allow the district to accomplish all of its goals with the additional funding. For example, if the tax increase was the only measure approved, temporary housing quarters would have to be identified for the additional crews at Station 1. If the bond was the only measure passed, the district would have to delay hiring additional crews.
Despite numerous tax proposals rejected by voters over the past several years, district officials said the funding increase is 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 short of the four-seventh margin needed for passage.
“We will continue to go backwards in being able to afford things,” Hayeslip said. “Every year we cut more and more stuff.”
