February 2025 Proposition 1:
The Shoreline / Northshore RFA

The Benefits are Elusive

There are no significant benefits to the RFA.

The Shoreline Fire Department's RFA FAQ webpage makes vague and misleading claims regarding the potential benefits of the RFA. The content describes only aspirational service improvements, obscure cost savings, ‘administrative savings', ‘reduced redundancies’ and there is no mention of the 43% Levy authorization increase. If the RFA were truly a good deal the fire department would provide clarity.

Details

The RFA provides no advantage over the current consolidated department.

The Fire Department FAQ claims:

Enhanced Emergency Services

  • Faster, more effective responses through better coordination and resource sharing.
  • Improved technical rescue capabilities in Shoreline, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.
  • Flexible deployment of fire trucks and aid cars based on need.
  • Continued firefighter collaboration ensures seamless operations and improved service delivery.

However:

  • Response times will not improve. There are no added fire stations, fire engines, aid cars, or firefighters. Without additional resources, response times remain the same. That is reality.
  • Technical Rescue improvements have already been made.
  • A new NFD Rescue Truck is on order.
  • “Flexible deployment” simply means a resource is moved from one community to subsidize another. (Lake Forest Park likely loses its peak hour aid car.)
  • Firefighter collaboration should be today's standard. Why don’t we have it now?

The Claim of Taxpayer Savings is False

The Fire Department claims:

Significant Taxpayer Savings

  • $196,000 in annual administrative savings and over $3 million in reduced redundancies by 2026.
  • Savings for 100% of homeowners and 98% of property owners in the Fire District.
  • Preserves Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau Class 2 rating leading to insurance savings and lower levy rates.

However:

  • The $196,000 in ‘administrative savings’ refers to the elimination of the Northshore Fire Board of Commissioners. The reality is that there are at best only a few thousand dollars of savings. Most costs continue with the RFA.
  • The "redundancies" being reduced are General Fund and Reserve Fund balances. This will not result in ongoing tax reduction. Reducing reserves by $3,000,000 is a risky practice. (Besides, there is nothing under the current system that stops the boards from reducing the reserve fund goals, should they decide to do so.)
  • There is no risk of losing the WSRB fire insurance rating. The WSRB rating is a function of the fire departments’ resources, training, and preparedness, and the water districts' fire hydrant flow. The improved WSRB rating was achieved after the ILA consolidation — the RFA would not change that.

What Does Any of This Mean?

The FAQ Continues:

Sustainability and Growth

  • Shared resources provide sustainable services, protect property values, and diversify revenue.
  • Strengthened grant opportunities for enhancements like a fire/rescue boat for Lake Washington.

Community Representation and Streamlined Management

  • Balanced governance with five board members from both Northshore and Shoreline ensures local control.
  • Streamlined administration eliminates duplication, enabling more efficient resource management.

However:

  • We already have "shared resources". This was accomplished via the Shoreline/Northshore Contract for Fire Services (ILA) in 2022.
  • We already have diversified revenue streams (i.e. patient transport fees).
  • We have guaranteed local governance today. (See Local Control.) The RFA only puts that at risk.
  • There is no duplication, just accountability with the fire services contract (ILA).