Grand Mound fire district levy passing

The Olympian • Published August 20, 2008

Grand Mound-Rochester Fire District 1 voters are narrowly approving a levy to increase their taxes.

Taxes would go up from 98 cents to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Fire Chief Robert Scott has said the levy would help fund staffing and renovations to a fire station on Albany Street so the station could be staffed during 24-hour shifts and improve fire service for the entire district.

A simple majority is needed to pass the levy.

"We're very optimistic," Scott said Tuesday night. "We're still looking at the results coming in. We understand that people are voting with their pocketbooks."

The levy also would allow the district to upgrade communications, provide safety upgrades for firefighters' breathing apparatuses, and replace its aging "Jaws of Life" emergency equipment, Scott said.

Staffing upgrades would help reduce response times and also help offset fuel-cost increases, he added.

The levy increase would cost about $130 per year more for a homeowner with property assessed at $250,000.