Hit the pause button! Let's explore all of our options as a community.
We will NOT lose Fire & EMS service.
Keep Local Control
Why relinquish local control of our services to another set of elected officials whose majority will reside outside of Edmonds?
Keep our tax dollars local to directly benefit our community.
One size does not fit all. Our community has different service needs than our neighbors. Local control protects those needs.
Without local control we end up subsidizing other cities because of our higher tax base, particularly as the RFA expands outside of Edmonds.
Direct accountability and cost control is eroded without local control.
We have elected our city officials to represent us. Why do we need other outsiders?
Costs
Joining the RFA will nearly double the property taxes we pay to support city and Fire & EMS services.
There have been no defined service benefits by joining the RFA at nearly double the cost.
Where are the economies of scale in joining the RFA? Shouldn't we expect a cost reduction rather than a substantial tax increase?
The RFA can unilaterally increase the benefit charge fee over time without a vote of the people.
Renters, homeowners and businesses will all feel the pain of a higher than needed tax increase.
In joining the RFA we give them two of our fire stations cost-free. Is this a fair deal?
The RFA owes us millions of dollars in unreimbursed medical transport fees per our current contract. Let's collect before we talk about joining.
We have Options
A NO vote buys us time to fully explore less costly solutions, equal to or better than current services.
We will not lose fire or EMS services with a NO vote. A contract extension has been negotiated.
Let's explore options as a community. Bring new voices and ideas into the conversation.
A NO vote will pause any property tax increase and allow the city time to minimize the impact through further cost reductions or increasing other non-property tax revenue streams.
A NO vote provides time to fully evaluate alternative models for fire and EMS service stylized to our needs.
A NO vote will send our negotiating team back for a better annexation agreement with the RFA.
As in any negotiation, never accept the first offer.
Contributions appreciated!
Please mail checks to: PO Box 6054, Edmonds, WA 98026
