Showing posts sorted by date for query northshore fire ballot. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query northshore fire ballot. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Kenmore City Council adopts resolution in support of Northshore Fire levy rate ballot measure (Proposition No. 1)

Sunday, July 28, 2024

KENMORE, Wash. – At the July 22, 2024 meeting, the Kenmore City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in support of the Northshore Fire levy rate ballot measure, also known as Proposition No. 1.

If approved, this levy would provide a major funding source for emergency services provided by the Northshore Fire Department. (See previous article)

The Northshore Fire Department is seeking voter approval to restore its fire levy to $0.70 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2024 (to be collected in 2025), which is an increase of approximately $0.18 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

State limitations on funding increases have not allowed the Northshore Fire Department to keep up with increasing labor and operational costs and planned capital improvement projects. 

Voter approval of Proposition No. 1 would provide funding for the Northshore Fire Department to continue providing fire and emergency medical services at existing levels in Kenmore. The last time that the Northshore Fire Department asked for a fire levy rate increase was 20 years ago.

Proposition No. 1 will be included on the ballot for the primary election on August 6, 2024.

The City Council's adopted resolution can be viewed here.


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Fire Chief Cowan sounds the alarm on Northshore’s “critical” budget imbalance

Saturday, July 20, 2024


For the first time in over 20 years, the Northshore fire department will ask voters to approve a levy lid lift on the August 6th ballot. Rising labor and operational costs plus upcoming capital improvement projects are burning up Northshore’s budget but state laws limit how fast the department can raise rates to pump in more revenue.

This week, Fire Chief Matt Cowan warned the city councils of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore the department’s revenue has reached a “critical” imbalance.

“The reason we need to do a lid lift, is this slide,” Fire Chief Matt Cowan told the Lake Forest Park city council about a graph that shows revenues from the fire benefit charge increasing above 60% 

Most of Northshore’s revenue comes from two sources: the fire levy and the fire benefit charge. Under state law, the revenue collected from the fire benefit charge may not exceed 60% of the operating budget but state law allows fire departments to increase levy revenue by no more than 1% per year.

Expenses have been increasing at a much faster rate than 1% in recent years which means the share of revenue coming from the fire benefit charge now exceeds 60%.

“This has been known for at least over the last seven or eight years… previous administrations prior to Shoreline taking on the contract have known about this. Staff has made the recommendations to do a lid lift in previous years and it has not been done,” Cowan told the Kenmore council
“I’m not going to guess as to the different reasons but it has been deferred and deferred… to the point now where it's critical,” he said.

Screenshot from LFP City Council meeting
showing Chief Cowan addressing the council
Cowan told the Lake Forest Park council the lid lift should not result in major tax increases because any increases in the levy rate will be offset by decreases in the fire benefit charge.

“We may not need to increase the revenues much at all or very minimally. So this is not about getting more money… We're just trying to make it proportionate and diversified again,” said Cowan.

The fire levy is based on the assessed value of a property while the fire benefit charge is based on square footage of buildings - which means some property owners with relatively small homes and homes with relatively high assessed values might see increases in their property taxes.

Northshore voters first approved the fire benefit charge in 1989 and voters re-authorize the fee every six years - meaning it will need to be re-authorized for the sixth time next year.

In 2022, Northshore signed a contract to pay the Shoreline Fire Department to provide administrative, operational, and support services; all employees work for the Shoreline Fire Department but the two fire departments have separate levies and fire benefit charges.

The Shoreline and Northshore Fire Departments plan to place a measure on next February’s ballot to seek approval to merge the departments together into a Regional Fire Authority (RFA). If approved, the levy rate would be adjusted again to be the same across the RFA service area.

Information on how to attend future fire commissioner meetings and provide comments is available on the department’s website.


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Shoreline and Northshore fire departments ask voters for levy increase and regional fire authority

Thursday, June 20, 2024


By Oliver Moffat

The Shoreline and Northshore Fire Department commissioners met on Monday, June 17, 2024 to discuss merging the departments together into a Regional Fire Authority (RFA).

A simple majority of voters in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and Woodway would need to approve the RFA in a ballot measure planned for February of 2025.

The levy rate across the RFA would need to be the same but currently Shoreline’s levy rate is higher than Northshore’s.

“It’s been twenty years since the fire levy has been reset,” said Fire Chief Matt Cowan about Northshore’s tax rate. And since then, the expenses of running a fire department and the assessed values of properties in Kenmore and Lake Forest Park have increased significantly.

As a result, Northshore has been increasing the Fire Benefit Charge to keep up with costs.

Which is why, said Chief Cowan, the department will be asking Lake Forest Park and Kenmore voters to approve a levy increase with a ballot measure in August.

“We’re going to decrease the Fire Benefit Charge and increase the fire levy. But roughly to the same equivalent levy rate. So tax payers may not see an increase at all,” said Chief Cowan.

According to data shared by Chief Cowan at the meeting, an RFA could reduce costs, potentially lowering levy rates for all taxpayers.

Since 2022, Northshore has paid Shoreline about $13.6 million per year to provide services under a contract but the two fire departments have separate elected commissioners. All employees work for the Shoreline Fire Department, are in a single chain of command, and belong to the same union.

In May, Bothell signed an agreement with the Shoreline Fire Department to provide administration services, essentially hiring Cowan to serve as the Fire Chief for the Bothell Fire Department. Bothell called the agreement, “part of an ongoing exploration into the possibility of further regionalization in the future.”

Information on how to attend future fire commissioner meetings and provide comments is available on the department’s website.


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Election results: first count November 7, 2023

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

By Diane Hettrick

King county elections released the first results at 8:15pm on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. 20% of the ballots have been counted.

Many of the races are over - many positions with incumbents had no challengers. So let's run down the list:

√ Assessor: John Wilson - incumbent, no challenger 
√ Director of Elections: Julie Wise - incumbent, challenger's platform was that elections were tampered with
√ Judges: incumbents, no challengers
√ Port of Seattle Pos 2: Sam Cho - incumbent, no challenger
√ Port of Seattle Pos 5: Fred Fellerman, incumbent with 71% of the vote

√ Shoreline Council Pos 2: Keith Scully, incumbent, no challenger
√ Shoreline Council Pos 6: Betsy Robertson, incumbent, no challenger
- Shoreline Council Pos 4: 
  • Doris McConnell, incumbent 3,410 votes
  • Annette Ademasu, challenger 3,740 votes
Lake Forest Park has some interesting results for a first count. We'll see how it plays out over the next few days. With 24% of the ballots counted:
  • Mayor: Recently retired Deputy Mayor Tom French has a commanding lead over incumbent Jeff Johnson with 67% of the vote.
  • √  Council Pos 2: Incumbent Lorri Bodi did voters the courtesy of running a full campaign, even though she had no challengers.
  • √  Council Pos 4: This open seat has Ellyn Saunders with 2,034 votes to Nigel Keiffer's 371.
  • Council Pos 6: Paula Goode leads Stephanie Angelis by 191 votes.
Town of Woodway (Snohomish County): Three incumbent town councilmembers ran unopposed:
  • √  John Brock, James Willett, Elizabeth Mitchell
Kenmore has four city council seats on the ballot. Only one seat is open and all incumbents have challengers.
  • Pos 1: Incumbent Melanie O'Cain has 59% of the vote against challenger Kara Macias
  • Pos 3: In the only open seat, Valerie Sasson leads Josh Kurchinka by 288 votes
  • Pos 5: Long-time incumbent David Baker leads challenger Jon Culver by 115 votes
  • Pos 7: Challenger Nathan Loutsis leads incumbent Corina Phfeil by 168 votes
Special district elections

Northshore Fire Board of Commissioners (King County Fire Protection District 16)
  • √  Eric Adman, incumbent, no challengers
Shoreline Fire Department
  • Commissioner Pos 1: Barb Sullivan, incumbent, leads challenger Larry Hadland
  • √  Commissioner Position No. 4, David M. Harris, incumbent, no challengers
Lake Forest Park Water District 
  • √  Commissioner Pos No. 1: David A. Hammond, incumbent, no challengers
North City Water District
  • √  Commissioner Pos 1: Ronald F. (Ron) Ricker, incumbent, no challengers
Highlands Sewer District 
  • √  Commissioner Pos 1: L. David Hanower, incumbent, no challengers
Northshore Utility District
  • √ Commissioner Pos 1: Trudy C. Rolla, incumbent, no challengers
  • √  Commissioner Pos 5: Suzanne Greathouse, incumbent, no challengers
  • Commissioner Pos 3:
    • Bruce Gardiner, incumbent 64% of the vote
    • Steve Hamilton, challenger 34%

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Election results Nov 2, 2021 - Special Purpose Districts - Shoreline and Lake Forest Park

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

King County Fire Protection District No. 16 aka Northshore Fire
Ballots Counted: 5,595 21.40 % of Registered Voters: 26,146

Commissioner Position No. 3
Tyler Byers     3,562 78.75 % - winner*
Don Ellis        935    20.67 %
Write-in          26       0.57 %
Don Ellis passed away. It was beyond the date to remove his name from the ballot

Commissioner Position No. 5
Nate Herzog       2,185    44.48 %
Lisa Wollum       2,706    55.09 %
Write-in               21          0.43 %

Shoreline Fire Department

Commissioner Position 1
Barb Sullivan - winner*

Commissioner Position 3
Rod Heivilin - winner*

North City Water District
Ballots Counted: 3,408 19.16 % of  Registered Voters: 17,784

Commissioner Position No. 3
Charlotte I. Haines   2,167  73.51 %
Nigel Keiffer               761 25.81 %
Write-in                       20    0.68 %

Northshore Utility District
Ballots Counted: 10,669  19.35 % of Registered Voters: 55,138

Commissioner Position No. 3
David Arthur    3,487 38.03 %
Matt Breysse    5,643 61.54 %
Write-in                 39   0.43 %

*Running unopposed



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Lake Forest Park council candidates answer questions at Third Place Commons candidate forum October 7

Monday, October 25, 2021

Both the candidate forum and the Prop 1 forum
are available online
By Pam Cross

On Thursday, October 7, 2021 Third Place Commons presented the Lake Forest Park City Council Candidate Forum, in partnership with the League of Women Voters - Seattle/King County. 

All seven candidates for the four city council positions participated, and shared their thoughts on a wide variety of topics including Prop 1, increasing affordable housing options, and the future of Town Center.

The forum was moderated by Chelsea Jordan from the League of Women Voters - Seattle / King County.

The candidates did not receive the questions beforehand and were given from 1 to 2 minutes to respond. The candidates were randomly called on so that no one had an advantage.

What three things would you do to improve or deepen a safe and strong community?

The most frequently mentioned was improving accessibility through a comprehensive sidewalk plan starting with the areas around schools. The cut-through traffic has to be addressed using traffic calming methods. The City needs to be more walkable and bikeable and needs more street lights.

Candidates expressed a need for expanded services to complement the RADAR program for those who need mental health assistance or suffer from domestic violence. There is potential funding for a North End crisis center that would provide the immediate help that RADAR cannot provide.

It was pointed out that local control of the Police and Fire Departments requires proper funding; we should pay attention to what the Northshore FD is planning; and gathering places are important and needed in LFP.

Other items that were raised included the need for cooling/warming stations because of the more extreme weather caused by Climate Change, increasing neighborhood involvement through a Neighborhood Watch program, and a locking mailboxes program partly subsidized by City.

The LFP Council has placed a property tax levy on the Nov Ballot to fund improvements for sidewalks, pedestrians and bicycles, parks increasing taxes $.59/1,000.

What is your position on Prop 1 and what would you do to support it if passes, and what are your thoughts on supporting parks if it does not pass?


The candidates were generally in support of Prop 1 with one dissenting view.

Maddy Larson (Position 5) put it this way: this is a complicated issue. Everybody wants it, but the mechanism is frustrating to voters that there’s not more specificity in what it would fund. And it does not have a time limit to end this tax. We need to start somewhere - we need to start making progress on these infrastructure issues. I will work with Council to make sure the funds are spent with a community voice present, projects are clearly planned and budgeted, and that we make meaningful progress. If it doesn’t pass, we will have to find another funding source.

All of the candidates commented that funding was the area of most concern. They recognized that we need to make the investments and until we have some money to invest, no bank is going to bond us. Right now interest rates are low.

No one likes to raise taxes for the sake of raising taxes without compelling justification. These are the things voters support. There are very good safeguards built into Prop 1 so that funds will go into designated account and will be used only for pedestrian safety and parks. It can’t be raided for general purpose expenditures.

Semra Riddle (Position 1), who is currently on the Council and running unopposed, supports Prop 1. Resolution 1810 spells out how the funds will be spent. The money can’t be spent until there’s an implementation plan. Council is working on the implementation plan right now which requires work by staff, public outreach, and a public hearing as part of the normal process. We have tried other funding sources in the past for safe routes to schools and we have missed the mark every time. And these projects we’ve asked for are basically shovel ready. They’re just not big enough to rise to the top. If it doesn’t pass, we’re really going to have to think about how we’re coming back with a smaller levy because going out for grants and State money hasn’t been successful for these types of projects.

The dissenting opinion came from candidate Jon Lebo (Position 3).

I’m a strong supporter of parks, sidewalks and safety but I think we’re a bit premature. I have years of experience managing construction projects in the public sector. We’ve always put together a very detailed list of priorities and we’ve gone through a funding cycle and we have looked at sources, costs, and budget. I will vote no because I don’t think they’ve outlined enough detail in the priorities, the costs, and what they really want to achieve. There are many ways to provide safe access. The implementation plan should have been developed before going to the voters. You need to go to the voters with a strong program of what you’re going to do, and how you’re going to do it.

The next question: What is your vision for the future of Town Center Third Place Commons, and how would you achieve that?

Larry Goldman (Position 7) stated that the zoning regulations are a reasonable compromise by bringing in some residential with some affordable housing, but not so much that it overwhelms the infrastructure. We still need space for our Farmers Market, and community gathering spaces like we have now. There will be more opportunities for public input so we can balance affordable housing with a community focused center.

Other candidates mentioned that it’s a sensitive area because of the watershed. Some would like to see Town Center as a model for sustainable building, with lots of social services placed there, housing, and retail, and room for community gatherings. Use of solar, wind, and zero net carbon emissions are some ideas to model what we want to see in the rest of the community. The visibility to people outside the community lets them see what LFP is about. Our community wants a vibrant retail space with the character and feel of LFP. We need what is appropriate for LFP meaning low scale buildings, methods that improve the environment, more walkability - a place where people want to go. We need to find a developer that will do that.

A member of the audience asked: What concrete steps would you take about all of the noisy and racing cars?

All candidates agree that this is a big issue and needs to be a priority. It is critical to address this because it is in every neighborhood. We need to provide education in high schools and consider lobbying the state legislature for support in things like allowed signage.

Paul Sanford (Position 7) This is a big one. I think you have to start with police enforcement. We have a strong police force today but they are limited in where they can get and how quickly they can get there. I think we need to put together a special hotline or special conduit forum so people can directly contact a response at all hours of the day. A lot of concerns to address. We can look at cameras, and temporary calming traffic measures to disrupt these activities.

Tracy Furutani (Position 5). Agrees that data gathering is important and neighbors are the best way to get the information. We need one central repository to identify the area and emphasize those areas. We also have to decide whether this is local problem or a regional problem. If it’s regional, let’s partner with our neighbor cities to work on roads that lead into LFP.

Others pointed out that there are a couple of areas that are all known for racing. They are ripe for speed bumps - even temporary ones that are less expensive. Maybe the neighborhood would be willing to contribute to city funds. Let’s consider using inexpensive deterrents such as speed bumps, reducing the speed limits citywide, signage

In response to an audience question about affordable housing, the candidates supported ADUs because they provide a gentle increase in density. They also reduce the likelihood of loss of tree canopy. Another suggestion was cluster housing.

There were other questions from the audience as well as closing statements from the candidates. 

View the entire candidate forum HERE



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King county election results as of Friday, August 6, 2021

Sunday, August 8, 2021


King county will continue to count any ballots postmarked on or before August 3, 2021, which was the official election day. The election will be officially certified on August 17.

Local voter turnout ranged from 33.83% for the North City Water District (Shoreline / LFP) to 37.65% for the Northshore Fire Commissioners (LFP / Kenmore)

Results as of Friday, August 6, 2021

All King County voters:

King County Prop 1 "Best Starts for Kids" 
  • Approved 252,237 passing with 61.87% of votes cast (required 50% +1)
  • Rejected 155,432
The only candidate races on the ballot were those with three or more candidates. This election is to select the top two candidates for the November general election. Other races go directly to the November election.

King County Executive - top two go to November election
  • Dow Constantine 211,283
  • Joe Nguyen 127,650
Kenmore voters only:

City Council Position 4
  • Nigel Herbig 3,207
  • Bob Black 926
City Council Position 6
  • Debra Srebnik 3,542
  • Jon Culver 805
Seattle voters only (south of 145th)

Mayor
  • Bruce Harrell 60,474
  • Lorena González 54,310
City of Seattle City Attorney
  • Nicole Thomas-Kennedy 58,776
  • Ann Davison 54,839
City of Seattle Council Position 8
  • Teresa Mosqueda 94,494
  • Kenneth Wilson 26,616
City of Seattle Council Position 9
  • Sara Nelson 67,326
  • Nikkita Oliver 65,907
Seattle School Board Director District 4
  • Vivian Song Maritz 14,180
  • Laura Marie Rivera  5,309
Seattle School Board Director District 5
  • Michelle Sarju 19,624
  • Dan Harder 2,570
Kenmore and Lake Forest Park voters only

Northshore Fire (aka Fire District 16) Commissioner Position 3
  • Tyler Byers 5,711
  • Don Ellis  925
Northshore Fire (aka Fire District 16) Commissioner Position 5
  • Nate Herzog 3,236
  • Lisa Wollum 2,980
East Shoreline / West Lake Forest Park voters who live in the water district

North City Water District Commissioner Position 3
  • Charlotte Haines 2,991
  • Nigel Keiffer 904


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Election results for local voters

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

By Diane Hettrick

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 was election day. So few people voted in this election - 17% of registered voters - that it appears King county elections has counted all the ballots turned in. 

Ballots that were mailed in before the deadline will be counted as they come in but should hardly be enough to sway the outcomes.

The Best Starts for Kids levy was a renewal, so not plagued with the validation requirement that saw the Shoreline parks bond fail by 118 votes in the April election. With a simple majority (50% + 1) required, Best Starts passed with 58.56% of the vote.

King County Executive: Incumbent Dow Constantine and challenger Joe Nguyen will face off in November. Candidate Bill Hirt made a respectable showing at third but will not be on the November ballot and Goodspaceguy is still waiting for the spaceships to land.

In the special purpose districts, only voters who live in that district were able to vote.

North City Water District Commissioner: Incumbent Charlotte Haines will meet challenger Nigel Keiffer in November. Denise Fulford-Foster was 186 votes behind Keiffer and theoretically could catch up for a spot on the ballot - but probably not.

Kenmore City Council:
Position 6: Debra Srebnik and Jon Culver in November
Position 4: Nigel Herbig and Bob Black, although Abby London is only 150 votes behind Black.

Northshore Fire Commissioners aka King County Fire Protection District #16:
Position 5: Nate Herzog will face Lisa Wollum in November
Position 3: Here are the primary numbers and % of the vote so far:





Tyler Byers and Don Ellis will be on the November ballot.

The Northshore Fire Commissioners had a traumatic year. 

Their plans to merge with Woodinville Fire and Rescue were scuttled in the contentious April election. Then, shockingly, two of their members died: Don Ellis and Rick Verlinda. Verlinda was not up for election, but Ellis was and came in second to Tyler Byers.

The remaining commissioners are taking applications for candidates to be appointed to fill out the terms of Verlinda and Ellis. The appointees would need to stand for election at the end of their interim appointments.

If Ellis were to win in November, his interim would serve the full term. If not, his interim would serve to the end of his current term in December.



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One week left to turn in your ballot

Thursday, July 29, 2021

vote before August 3 deadlines
There is just one week left to get your ballot in and make your voice heard!

Return your ballot by drop box - find the one nearest you here: drop boxes in King county 

Local drop boxes:
  • Rain garden at 192nd park n ride on Aurora
  • Shoreline Library drop box NE 175th and 5th NE
  • Lake Forest Park City Hall drop box Town Center Ballinger / Bothell Way NE

Or return your ballot by mail - no stamp needed! Ballots returned by mail must have a postmark by Election Day, August 3. 

As part of the continued effort to stop the spread of CoVID-19 in our community, King County Elections strongly recommends registering to vote , updating your registration , and accessing your ballot online when needed for the rest of the year.

King county will have Vote Centers open for those who need assistance or have missed the deadlines but ask that those who are able to utilize the online tools do so. Those who do come to a Vote Center in person will be required to wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth. Locally, Kenmore City Hall is a vote center.

Please email elections@kingcounty.gov or call 206-296-VOTE (8683) if you need additional assistance.

What are you voting for this election?
  • Choosing the top two candidates for King County Executive
  • Voting whether to renew the Best Starts for Kids (King prop 1)
  • Choosing the top two candidates for commissioners if you live in one of these special purpose districts:
    • North City Water
    • Northshore Fire (District #16)


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Tonight, Thursday,July 29, 2021, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm - virtual candidates forum for Northshore Fire Commissioners

Tonight, July 29, 2021, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm


The Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission will hold a Virtual Event with the Primary Candidates and the General Election Candidates for the Northshore Fire District, seen on the ballot as King County Fire Protection District No. 16:

King County Fire Protection District No. 16, Commissioner Position No. 3

King County Fire Protection District No. 16, Commissioner Position No. 5

We have included Lake Forest Park Water District, Commissioner Position No. 3 to participate in this event also.
This will be an opportunity for the Candidates to introduce themselves, their platforms, and campaigns.

The ballots are already out for the Primary, but if you have not voted yet, this event may help you decide how to vote.

We will have an chance for the Public to ask questions, for the Candidates to respond, and we will also be introducing any General Election candidates that show up.

Google Meet joining info

We are also having a second Virtual Event on Monday night (August 2nd), for the General Election Candidates to present their campaigns, platforms, request support, also take questions, and give answers.




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VOTE - Tuesday is the deadline

Monday, April 26, 2021

   VOTE!   

Dig your ballot out from under that pile of papers, mark your choice(s), and turn it in.

This is a very consequential election. Lake Forest Park / Kenmore will decide if they want to maintain their Northshore fire department or merge it with Woodinville.

Shoreline voters need to reauthorize a measure to keep funding their Shoreline Fire department and decide whether they want to finish developing their parks over the next 20 years.

Tuesday is the deadline. If you mail it, the postmark has to be no later than Tuesday, April 27, 2021. That means you need to get it in before the last mail pick up of the day and every location has a different time.

If you take it to a dropbox (please do!) you have to get your ballot in the drop box by 8pm, Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

Drop box locations:
  • Shoreline Aurora Park n Ride, 192nd and Aurora
  • Shoreline Library, NE 175th and 5th NE
  • Lake Forest Park City Hall, Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way
  • Other locations here
--Diane Hettrick


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Do you have questions about Shoreline Fire's Prop 1?

Thursday, April 22, 2021

By Diane Hettrick

Shoreline Fire Chief Matt Cowan


Shoreline Fire Department has a measure on the special election ballot to reauthorize the charges that Shoreline property owners pay to maintain the fire department.

It would be a routine election if Northshore Fire were not also running a measure to merge with Woodinville.

It's a very contentious measure and Yes No and Hell No signs are all over LFP and Kenmore.

But it's nothing to do with the Shoreline Fire reauthorization.

Shoreline Fire Chief Matt Cowan would be happy to answer your questions. You can contact him by email mcowan@shorelinefire.com or call the main station number 206-533-6500.

And don't forget to turn your ballots in by April 27.



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UPDATE: The differences among Prop 1 and Prop 1 and Prop 1

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Shoreline Fire Chief Matt Cowan issued a short statement to let voters know the Shoreline Fire Prop 1 has nothing to do with the other Prop 1 measures

By Diane Hettrick

Considering that both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have Prop 1 on their ballots, it's understandable that there is some confusion. To add to the confusion, Shoreline Fire has a measure on the Shoreline ballot to renew their benefit charge.

AND Shoreline Fire Chief Matt Cowan has reminded me that their renewal measure is ALSO CALLED PROP 1

Shoreline Fire benefit charge

This is a reauthorization of charges that Shoreline residents pay for fire protection and emergency services. 

There is no organized opposition.

Only Shoreline residents vote on this measure.

Northshore Fire measure
Photo by Diane Hettrick
Red signs

Lake Forest Park / Kenmore Prop 1 is about the proposed merger of two fire departments - Northshore, which serves LFP and Kenmore and Woodinville Fire and Rescue, which serves Woodinville.

The Northshore firefighters' union is strongly opposed and is placing red No signs all over both cities.

The city councils of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore voted unanimously to oppose the measure.

Only Lake Forest Park and Kenmore residents vote on this measure.

20 years of park improvements in Shoreline

Green signs

Shoreline Prop 1 is about a 20 year plan for major improvements on five existing parks and acquisition of new land for green spaces as the city fills up with multifamily buildings.

It is a renewal of an existing, expiring charge and will add a monthly amount of around $5 a month, depending on the value of your property. (see article on how to find out what you would pay)

There are Yes yard signs and people on corners waving Yes signs to support the parks proposition.

There is no organized opposition.

Only Shoreline residents vote on the Parks measure.


Turn in ALL ballots by Tuesday, April 27, 2021

You can take your ballot to any King county drop box. They all get sent to the same place.
  • 192nd and Aurora Park n Ride in the corner with the rain garden
  • Shoreline Library parking lot on the corner of NE 175th and 5th NE (remember you can't turn across 175th when you are headed west)
  • Lake Forest Park City Hall in the northeast corner of Town Center at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way
  • You can also mail your ballot with no postage required.

There is a high validation requirement because of the turnout for the Presidential election, so voting - whether Yes or No - is important if you want your opinion heard.



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Kenmore City Council approves resolution in opposition of merger of Northshore Fire Department with Woodinville Fire and Rescue

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

On March 22, 2021, Kenmore City Council unanimously passed a motion approving a resolution in opposition of the merger of Northshore Fire Department into Woodinville Fire and Rescue (King County Fire Protection District No. 16 , Proposition No.1). 

The ballot measure is up for vote as part of the King County April Special Election on April 27, 2021.

This proposition would merge King County Fire Protection District No.16 (Northshore Fire Department) into Woodinville Fire and Rescue, creating one fire protection district to provide fire and emergency medical services for the areas currently served by the two districts, which includes Kenmore. 

The City Council’s action occurred approximately one week after the Northshore Board of Fire Commissioners passed a motion on March 16, 2021, to “cease any and all efforts in moving forward with the merger consolidation with Woodinville Fire and Rescue until such time that we are working with the support and cooperation of Northshore Firefighters Local 2459.”

On March 23, 2021, the Northshore Board of Fire Commissioners later reversed their decision at a Special Meeting, clarifying that the motion the Board passed on March 16th was meant to be temporary.

RCW 42.17A.555 authorizes the City Council to take action to collectively express a decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as the agenda includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and members of the public and councilmembers are afforded an approximately equal opportunity to express an opposing view.

Kenmore City Council March 22 meeting (Discussion on this merger begins at 49:00)

King County Fire Protection District No. 16 , Proposition No. 1 ballot measure



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Prop 1 and Prop 1 and where to turn in your ballots

Monday, April 12, 2021

Considering that both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have Prop 1 on their ballots, it's understandable that there is some confusion. To add to the confusion, Shoreline Fire has a measure on the Shoreline ballot to renew their benefit charge.



Green signs

Shoreline Prop 1 is about a 20 year plan for refurbishing existing parks and acquiring new land for green spaces as the city fills up with multifamily buildings.

It is a renewal of an existing, expiring charge and will add a monthly amount of around $5 a month, depending on the value of your property.

There are Yes yard signs and people on corners waving Yes signs to support the parks proposition.

Only Shoreline residents vote on the Parks measure.

Red signs

Lake Forest Park / Kenmore Prop 1 is about the proposed merger of two fire departments - Northshore, which serves LFP and Kenmore and Woodinville Fire and Rescue, which serves Woodinville.

The Northshore firefighters' union is strongly opposed and is placing red No signs around both cities.

Only Lake Forest Park and Kenmore residents vote on this measure.

Shoreline Fire benefit charge

This is a renewal of charges that Shoreline residents pay for fire protection and emergency services.

Only Shoreline residents vote on this measure.

Drop boxes

You can take your ballot to any King county drop box. They all get sent to the same place.
  • 192nd and Aurora Park n Ride in the corner with the rain garden
  • Shoreline Library parking lot on the corner of NE 175th and 5th NE (remember you can't turn across 175th when you are headed west)
  • Lake Forest Park City Hall in the northeast corner of Town Center at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way
You can also mail your ballot with no postage required.

There is a high validation requirement because of the turnout for the Presidential election, so voting - whether Yes or No - is important if you want your opinion heard.

--Diane Hettrick


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Lake Forest Park City Council unanimously rejects Fires District merger

LFP City Council opposes Ballot Proposition 1
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

At its regular business meeting on Thursday April 8th, the Lake Forest Park City Council voted unanimously to take a position opposing Ballot Proposition 1, which proposes a merger of Northshore Fire Department into Woodinville Fire and Rescue.

Prior to the Business Meeting, the Council held a Public Hearing featuring presentations from Acting Fire Chief Greg Ahern speaking in favor of the ballot proposition, and Northshore Fire Department Lt. Jeremy Jamerson speaking against the proposition. 

Following the presentations, several members of the public gave comments, including residents of Kenmore, Woodinville and LFP as well as Northshore firefighters who serve the community of Lake Forest Park.

Council members then posed several questions to both Chief Ahern and Lt. Jamerson to understand more about the Ballot Proposition and the explore topics raised by the public comments.

During later discussion prior to their unanimous vote to reject Ballot Proposition 1, council members expressed common concerns including:
  • the wisdom of moving ahead with the ballot measure when the firefighters are opposed,
  • the lack of clear and convincing financial data supporting the merger,
  • the uncertainty of future LFP representation on a combined district Board of Commissioners,
  • the potential of future growth in Woodinville leaving LFP behind, and
  • that the merger proposal as presented is not in line with the values nor in the best interests of the citizens of Lake Forest Park.
Mayor Jeff Johnson concluded the meeting by expressing the city’s appreciation of the service provided by all the firefighters and the Acting Chief and encouraging them to recommit to working together to serve the citizens of Lake Forest Park.

The Public Hearing and Council Meeting are available on video here: AV Capture ALL

Phillippa Kassover, Deputy Mayor
Lake Forest Park



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Updates/Corrections: LFP residents to vote on proposed Fire District Merger in April 27 ballot

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

The Northshore fire district has two stations. This one is in Kenmore.
Photo by Jerry Pickard

By Tracy Furutani and Diane Hettrick

“The Northshore Fire Department is asking voters to approve a merger with Woodinville Fire and Rescue during the April 27, 2021 Special Election,” said Woodinville Fire and Rescue Chief Greg Ahearn in a letter to Shoreline Area News. 

“The goal of this merger is to save money for taxpayers and improve emergency services. The Boards of Fire Commissioners representing both districts support the merger because it is in the best interest of the communities we serve.”

The ballot, which should be arriving in the mail this week from King County Elections to voters in Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, will contain a single item labeled Proposition No. 1: Should the proposal to merge the Northshore Fire Department (also known as Fire Protection District No. 16) into Woodinville Fire and Rescue be approved?

The Northshore Fire Department serves the cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore. The reason why the Northshore FD would be merged into Woodinville F/R even though the two districts are not contiguous is a bureaucratic issue: Woodinville F/R has one more fire station and about a dozen more personnel than the Northshore FD. Woodinville residents will not be voting on this proposal. 

The fact that the two districts are not adjacent will have no effect on fire department call service, because interagency agreements allow the nearest fire department to respond to calls, said Roger Collins, the chair of Woodinville F/R Board of Commissioners, “boundaries have nothing to do with service.”

There is organized opposition to the merger. “No on Prop. 1” yards signs have appeared throughout both Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, sponsored by the group Citizens For A Safer Northshore, which lists an affiliation with the Northshore FD’s firefighters’ union, IAFF Local 2459, according the Public Disclosures Commission.

“We’ve been very supportive of merger, but once they stopped working with our labor group that raised some red flags,” said Lieutenant Jeremiah Ingersoll of the Northshore Firefighters, and IAFF Local 2459 President. “We still tried to work with them on [the merger], but we saw a lot of misleading information like [the proposed] cost savings.”

There will be no Voters’ Pamphlet sent out. The fire districts would have had to pay for it, and “it was an expense that didn’t seem like it needed to be spent,” said Collins.

The Boards of each district were not unanimous in their approval of putting the merger on the April ballot.

The Northshore Board split 3-2 in favor of the proposal. The Woodinville board voted 4-0 in favor, with one abstention. 

Some of the Northshore Board members in the minority have been giving public comment in opposition. “I have voted against this merger from the beginning,” said Rick Verlinda, a Board member of the Northshore FD, at the March 25 Lake Forest Park City Council meeting, though he made clear he was not speaking as a Board member.

The Lake Forest Park station is the second station in the Northshore Fire District
Photo by Jerry Pickard

The administration and the Boards of Fire Commissioners in each district argue that the residential and property owners in the Northshore FD will save money. According to Collins, the combined rate for fire services (which includes both the Fire Benefit Charge and the portion of the King County property tax that is earmarked for fire protection) will be reduced from $1.30 per $1000 of assessed property value to $1.19.

The firefighters’ unions and the No on Prop. 1 campaign argue that that rate is not sustainable, and that the rate would have to increase over time. Ingersoll said “they [the Boards of the fire districts] are putting out these tax rates… no one can justify them.” He also mentioned that the new merged district would be assuming debt from a refinanced 2009 Northshore bond, and it was not clear if Woodinville residents would be helping to pay off that bond through their property tax levy.

“The city is with the union, and the union is against the merger,” said Kenmore Mayor David Baker, commenting on the Kenmore City Council unanimously opposing Prop. 1 at a meeting last Monday. The Bothell-Kenmore Reporter quoted a Kenmore City Council member’s reason for opposing the measure as the fire district not being transparent about their financial and service information.

The next chance for public comment is this Thursday at 7pm when the Lake Forest Park City Council includes a public hearing on the merger as part of its regular business meeting.

If the proposal passes “we would merge into Woodinville,” said Ingersoll. “Our labor group would assume [Woodinville’s] contract, policies and procedures and Northshore fire would cease to exist.”

If the proposal does not pass “the two districts will remain separate entities and the two Boards of Commissioners will have to decide the next step,” said Collins. “A ‘no’ vote does not mean that a merger can not be put forth again, but it would be some time before that could happen.”

Correction: Correction to the commission vote at Woodinville whose board voted 4-0 in favor with one abstention.

Update: Since the article was published the Lake Forest Park City Council voted unanimously to oppose the merger.



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LFP Citizens Commission to hold session on proposed fire department merger Wednesday

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The Citizens Commission is a volunteer group not affiliated with the City of Lake Forest Park

At Wednesday night's Lake Forest Park Citizens Commission Meeting, we will have a Presentation from the Northshore Fire District on Proposition #1- the Proposed Ballot Measure to Merge Northshore Fire (King County Fire Protection District #16), into the Woodinville Fire & Rescue District.

We will also allow for Questions, Clarifications, and Answers, in addition to Pro and Con Statements, comments, and opinions.

This event is open to everyone.

According to those involved, it can make a difference to the future of Shoreline Fire, Northshore Fire, Bothell Fire, and Woodinville Fire and Rescue.

The event will start at 5:00pm and continue to 8:00pm, Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
People are welcome to attend at any time, and leave at any time.

The Google Meet Link is:
https://meet.google.com/dxv-pwqd-imm



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LFP Citizen's Commission to hold discussion of fire merger issue

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The next meeting of the Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission will be March 31, 2021, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

It will be a discussion of the proposed merger of the Northshore Fire District, into the Woodinville Fire and Rescue District.

This will be on the April 27, 2021 Special Election Ballot, for the Cities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.

While we did originally try to schedule a Voter's Forum on this ballot measure issue, the parties we wanted involved to help keep it neutral, fair, informational, and helpful, were either not available, or we let them go, and decided to go with this much simpler format.

People will be welcome to log on to the Google Meet, and stay or go as they please.

We have generally invited four local labor groups, the four Fire Boards of Commissioners, the Administration, the employees, and former Fire Board of Commissioner members.

This is an open meeting, and we hope to have some factual, neutral, and helpful information, in addition to Pro and Con information available to help the Public decide how to vote on this issue.

The Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission as a group, will once again not take a position, to help facilitate this exchange of information.

The Google Meet Link is: https://meet.google.com/dxv-pwqd-imm

The Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission is a volunteer group, not part of the City of Lake Forest Park.



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Bothell-Kenmore Reporter: Now both firefighters union and fire commissioners oppose the proposed district merger

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Northshore fire station in Lake Forest Park
Photo by Jerry Pickard

By Diane Hettrick

After a year of discussion, shared fire chief, some shared operations and cheerful press releases about how much money it would save ratepayers to combine Northshore Fire and Woodinville Fire, the whole deal has flipped.

The unions and the fire commissioners now say that they will not support the merger, which will be on the April 27th ballot anyway.

I don't know the backstory but Cameron Sheppard in the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter did a nice job of reporting the forward-facing story.

"The union claims the proposed merger has been a contentious one, with IAFF local unions representing Northshore Firefighters Local 2459, as well as Woodinville, Bothell and Shoreline opposing the merger."

Shoreline was originally in the talks to merge the three fire departments, but dropped out months ago.

"According to the union, first responders who serve the community believe the merger offers no increase to emergency services, proposes a budget and structure that is unsustainable, merges two jurisdictions that do not have contiguous borders, and reduces the wages of our Northshore Firefighters."

Read the story HERE 



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