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Commissioners approve placing 50¢ levy proposals for local EMS districts on the ballot
Summary
The board approved resolutions to place additional property‑tax levies (50¢ per $1,000 assessed value) for local emergency medical service (EMS) districts on the ballot, with commissioners discussing a six‑year term and voter pamphlet language. Motions passed by voice vote.
The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners approved resolutions during the meeting to place property‑tax questions on the ballot for local emergency medical service (EMS) districts.
Staff presented draft ballot language and resolutions for Tonasket and Oroville EMS districts (the latter referenced in meeting materials as “Orville” but matching the county service area). The draft asked voters whether to authorize an additional regular property tax levy of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commissioners discussed changing the proposed duration from 10 years to six years; staff revised the documents to reflect a six‑year collection period and updated the sample ballot language and the voters' pamphlet explanatory text accordingly.
The board moved and seconded the motions to adopt the resolutions and to place the levy questions on the ballot. The motions passed by voice vote (“all in favor, aye”). Staff noted administrative steps to file committee contact names and advertising deadlines; they said if the contact information fields are left blank, the auditor’s office will advertise and seek committee volunteers.
The board also discussed the explanatory statement wording to make clear whether each measure was a renewal or an increase; staff confirmed the pamphlet language will state renew/renew and increase where appropriate. Commissioners asked staff and the auditor to finalize the documents for filing by the Friday deadline mentioned in the meeting.
