Two Camano Island Fire and Rescue meetings

Camano Island Fire and Rescue will hold two public meetings this week – one today and one tomorrow.
Tonight's meeting concerns the seismic upgrade of the Terry's Corner Fire Station. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Terry's Corner Fire Station, 525 E. North Camano Dr., on Camano Island.
Tomorrow, the department will host an open house at 6 p.m. at the Camano County Club clubhouse, 1243 Beach Dr., on Camano Island. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Fire Chief Mike Ganz will discuss construction projects, operations during construction and the upcoming levies.
Construction at the Country Club Fire Station started recently, as the station is remodeled to improve service and retrofitted to meet seismic standards.
The department is asking voters to renew two levies this year.
Emergency medical services (EMS) receives almost 50 percent of its funding from levies. The current EMS levy expires in December. Currently, residents pay 31 center per $1,000 of assessed value for the EMS levy. The department is requesting 50 cents per $1,000 in the renewal.
In addition, a motion to raise the permanent fire levy from 81 cents per $1,000 to $1.20 per $1,000 will be on the ballot. A state law caps revenue increase to 1 percent per year.
Should both levies pass, Ganz said Camano Island Fire and Rescue should be able to add up to 12 additional fire fighters.
For a Camano Island resident with a $300,000 home, both levies would mean a total of $510 annually for fire and EMS, which is $165 more than he or she currently pays.

For more information, call 629-3008 or visit www.camanofire.com.