BBR passes fire levy

Voters at Black Butte Ranch passed a five-year levy on September 15, providing additional funding for the Ranch's fire department.

The fire district is replacing the current 90-cents-per-$1,000 assessed valuation, which expires next year, with a new levy of $1.56 per $1,000. The new levy takes effect in July, 2010.

According to Fire Chief Dan Tucker, the larger levy is necessary to keep pace with staff, equipment and maintenance costs with an essentially static tax base.

"It means we can carry on and attack those things we've put on the back burner," said Chief Tucker. "It means we can get some valued training that we definitely need to have for our personnel."

Additionally, the levy will allow the district to re-fund its vehicle maintenance reserve and take care of deferred building maintenance.

Black Butte Ranch property owners have a strong history of supporting public safety services and that trend continued even in the face of economic hardship.

The vote drew a 75 percent turnout, with 65.75 voting in favor of the levy, with 34.25 opposed.

"It's not as high a percentage (yes) vote as we've seen in the past, but we did have a higher turnout, so I think the message got out to the voters," Chief Tucker said.

While the levy puts the district in a much stronger financial picture over the coming five years, Chief Tucker recognizes that challenges remain. Property tax collections are off across Deschutes County and BBR is no exception.

"If that drops, we'll have to tighten up more still," he said.

Regardless, Chief Tucker is pleased that the voters supported the district in continuing to "provide the level of service people have come to expect 24/7."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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