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Whatcom County Fire District 1 is putting a $13 million bond measure to voters on Aug. 6 to fund the construction of a new fire station.
The new station is needed as the existing station in Everson lacks space and sleeping quarters for firefighters, and sits on a flood plain. Assistant Fire Chief Greg Macy said the soil under the station is unstable, and in the event of an earthquake, would basically turn to liquid.
A new station, to be located on Everson Goshen Road, would provide space for community activities, meetings and educational programs, sleeping quarters for firefighters, and would also serve as an Emergency Operations Center in case of a disaster.
Macy said the proposed tax rate for the bond is 39 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value — about $195 a year for a home valued at $500,000. Bond funds will be used to design, construct and equip the new fire station.
The lack of sleeping space in the current station means firefighters currently sleep in the Nugent’s Corner station — increasing response time often when they get overnight calls, Macy said.
“Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our residents,” Fire Chief Rachel Carlson said in a Facebook post. “The proposed bond measure will allow us to move out of the floodplain, modernize our infrastructure, and ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality emergency services to our community for years to come.”
The fire district serves Everson, Nooksack, Deming and Nooksack Indian Tribe.
The Aug. 6 election will also include local ballot measures from Fire District 17 (rerunning a levy increase that failed by one vote in April), and the Lynden School District (rerunning its failed bond measure from February to rebuild Lynden High School).
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
