Editor,

I do not plan to vote for North Whidbey Fire and Rescue’s levy increase.

If you look at the proposed increase from 76 cents to $1.11 per $ 1,000 assessed valuation, it is an astounding 46 percent increase the new chief is asking us to swallow.

In a time of rising property values, such an increase will pour funds into a district that may have fiscal management issues.

After reading the mailer sent out to ask for our vote on this, I have serious concerns about the current fiscal operations of this district.

Under the previous chief, the district finances were conservatively run. Reserves and funds for future needs were carefully set aside.

Replacement equipment was often used equipment that was in good shape and useful for many years. Now we are being told the new chief wants to buy high priced new equipment and buy it soon.

Folks, it wasn’t long ago we went through a financial crisis at Island Transit due to financial mismanagement.

Let’s be sure we aren’t facing a similar situation in the fire district. Before we vote for such a huge tax increase, let’s have the state auditor take a look at what is going on.

If reserves have been drained down and the district is about to go on a spending spree, we need to know before we have a crisis.

With my background in local government finance and as the performance auditor of a large city, I know that when I smell smoke, there is probably fire. Vote NO.

Gary Nienhuis

Oak Harbor