Ballot Issue 7A asks voters if the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District may maintain the same rate of property tax it has levied since 2013. Voters approved an increase of 5.95 mills (meaning an increased tax rate of $5.95 per $1,000 of assessed value), which is set to expire at the end of 2024. The district is seeking approval to maintain the current tax rate.
Yes, we are endorsing this measure. Let’s keep this revenue stream going so the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District remains robust and viable. Since 2013, it has provided much bang for the buck.
Upper Pine River staffs three stations at Bayfield, Forest Lakes and at the top of Lake Vallecito. The district has contained significantly large wildfires without the loss of a single structure. Now, that is something.
The district’s ambulance service is one of only two in Colorado accredited by the Committee on Ambulance Accreditation.The district continues to have cardiac arrest save rate routinely above the national average for a rural EMS system. And the district was awarded the Ambulance Service of the Year in 2021 by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It’s a drive to Centura Mercy Hospital and this district is literally saving lives. Hard to argue against that.
The district also makes living in the Upper Pine area a great choice. Let’s keep this property tax rate is. It’s keeping people safer. And we can’t put a price on that.
