SAN JUAN ISLANDER EDITORIAL JULY 31, 2002

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Town Council could save residents $.25 million

posted 07/31/02
Friday Harbor Town Councilmembers have an opportunity. They can set aside personal agendas and historic grudges and give the residents and business owners in Friday Harbor a much needed financial break. Instead of imposing a $264,000 additional burden, the council could save residents $60,000 per year.

During their 5:30 p.m. August 1, 2002 meeting, the council will discuss raising the already record high sewer utility rates. An additional $264,000 is needed annually to pay for the upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

Instead of raising the rates, the council could cut back on town expenses. By getting out of the fire protection business, the council could save the $259,000 a year it is costing for the Friday Harbor Fire Department. Fire protection could be provided by San Juan County Fire District No. 3 at a cost of $.74 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The cost for the Town's Fire Department currently equals $.95 per thousand dollars of assessed value.

The total cost for fire protection would be $197,000. Property owners would pay the fire district levy through their property tax bill. It would not be necessary to raise sewer rates. The net savings for the 2,045 residents of the town would be $62,000 per year. Compare that savings to the additional $264,000 a year cost to residents and business owners under the rate increase proposal.

The idea of cutting costs by having District 3 take care of fire protection was proposed last week in a San Juan Islander editorial. Mayor Gary Boothman dismissed the idea as an "urban myth." He wrote, "About five years ago this issue was given a thorough investigation by a series of committees formed of Town and District firefighters. At that time, even with a full-time chief, the Town's fire department was funded at the level of $0.49 per thousand dollars of property evaluation, and District was at $0.51. It was abundantly obvious that there was no financial benefit to joining the two departments."

The actual figures for 1998 were:

• $.62 per thousand dollars of assessed value for the Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department
  
  
• $.49 per thousand dollars of assessed value for District No. 3 Fire Department
  
  

The mayor's opposition may be tied to his desire to have the town purchase the former Browne Lumber property on Spring Street. The commercial property is assessed at $790,000. The mayor wants the town to purchase the property and use it for parking, restrooms and office space.

If the fire department was dissolved, there would not be a need to purchase Browne's. The Town Fire Hall would be available for office space, a meeting hall and public restrooms. Some additional parking would become available on West Street.

It is surprising that the purchase of Browne's is even under consideration in light of the list of necessary utility capital expenses the town is facing. The wastewater treatment plant is only one. Raising the dam, replacing water distribution pipes and wastewater collection pipes are a few of the upcoming big ticket items. There aren't other ways to provide those services except through the town. There is another option for fire protection.

The time has come for the town leaders to realize there are limits to how much the town can support. No one is picking on the fire department. It is time for the Town Council and the mayor to stop picking on the residents.

--- written by Sharon Kivisto