Stakeholder Exploratory Meeting

Stakeholder Exploratory Committee

October 9, 2024

The Board of Directors for South Lane County Fire and Rescue has authorized the creation of the Stakeholder Exploratory Committee. This committee members will be appointed by the Board of Directors at a future Board meeting. The committee will be comprised of a cross section of interested parties within the fire district boundaries. Interested people must be eligible to vote in fire district elections.

The committee will be evaluating facts and data with the purpose of recommending future potential ballot measures to the Board of Directors on the following questions.

Should the fire district continue operating with one of the lowest permanent taxing rates in the state while continuing to rely on levies and bonds to supplement operations and fund capital improvements? The current permanent taxing rate is $1.0335/$1000 of assessed value and a five-year operations levy of $0.047/$1000 of assessed value.

Should the fire district be dissolved and reformed at a permanent taxing rate sufficient to provide expanded staffing to meet ongoing and future demand with the ability to plan for and fund future capital projects? The projected need is for a permanent taxing rate closer to $2.25/$1000 of assessed value.

If you are interested in serving on the Stakeholder Exploratory Committee, please send a letter of interest to Fire Chief John Wooten. Letters may be delivered in person to the Cottage Grove station, sent by mail to 233 E Harrison Avenue, Cottage Grove, OR 97424, or emailed to firechief@southlanefire.org.

Interest letters must be received by 5pm PST on Friday November 8, 2024. Letters post marked prior to the deadline will be accepted upon delivery. We look forward to engaging our stakeholders in this conversation.

Sincerely,

John R Wooten

Fire Chief