This evening, TVF&R voters approved Measure 34-286 which allows the Fire District to continue levying 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation for another five years. The current levy expires in June 2020. For a residential property assessed at $300,000, about the average in TVF&R’s service area, the cost of the local option levy will be about $135 per year or about $11.25 a month.

The levy funds 92 of 432 firefighter and paramedic positions as well as several staff positions that support operations. Levy funding will also be used to purchase land for future fire stations, fire hose, firefighting tools, and medical equipment to ensure effective emergency response.

“We are so grateful for this show of support from our community. We know that our residents often have to make tough decisions about how their money is spent, so we don’t take their support for granted,” states Fire Chief Mike Duyck. “Our community has consistently told us that their top priority for TVF&R is fast and effective emergency response. We will continue to use their investment wisely to fulfill this commitment.”

Voters also chose representatives to serve on TVF&R’s board of directors. Incumbent Randy Lauer was selected for Position 4 and Justin Dillingham was selected for Position 5 to replace Brian Clopton who has served on TVF&R’s board since 1998. Board members set policy and serve on the budget committee. All TVF&R board positions are at large, which means that they are not assigned to represent a specific geographic area of the district. They are simply required to reside or own property in TVF&R’s service area.