Regional fire authority well worth our support

I am a Kent resident of two years and a former resident of Covington for more than 30 years who has been actively involved in the community. I feel that I have a good knowledge and understanding of how the Kent Fire Department, now the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (PSRFA), operates.

It saddens me to hear comments and read articles of false statements and half-truths. The PSRFA has exhibited great integrity by serving the community and being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Yes, Prop 1 raises taxes beginning next year, but opponents fail to note that the fire benefit charge will be reduced by a similar amount that basically results in a financial “push.” The “cap’ on the fire benefit charge, by state law, can never be raised above the 60 percent of the capital budget.

Another false truth appears in the statement that the PSRFA taxes our land and driveways, when in reality they only charge a fee on our homes. The fee charged is solely based on the size of the home and the resources needed to extinguish the fire.

There are many examples of “vote no” citizen comments that are inaccurate, but one in particular has my attention: the $114 a day paid to RFA board members whether they work one minute or one hour. This is true, however, but what is failed to be noted is that seldom does a board member perform duties lasting less than an hour. There are many instances when a board member works many hours at a time, up to and including eight hours at one time, and this may include weekends. Some board members do not record small amounts of time worked while others donate a portion of their earnings to charity.

And, last but most important all, actions and expenditures are in strict accordance with state law.

Please, vote yes on Prop 1.

– Mike Denbo