Beginning this week, islanders’ votes will determine the financial fate of the fire district, marking a milestone in the process that began months ago, when Fire Chief Charlie Krimmert embarked on a study of the fire district’s health and found it ailing.

About 35 people attended an election forum last week, where the focus was partially on the three candidates running for two seats on the fire board, but even more so on the proposed levy increase. Last Wednesday’s conversation revealed a divide that has been evident in the community in recent weeks. Many agree that the fire district needs more money and improved emergency response capabilities, but some are questioning if the district needs the amount it is asking for. The measure on the ballot would increase the district’s tax rate from almost 94 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value to $1.50. It also includes a provision that for the next five years would allow commissioners to raise taxes up to 6 percent each year as long as the $1.50 limit is not exceeded. If passed, Proposition 1 is expected to bring in about $4.4 million next year, an amount district leaders say would exceed projected expenses of $3.7 million, allowing for the hiring of staff and the means to fund facility, fleet and equipment needs.

Indeed, the first question at the forum was whether the commissioner candidates supported the levy. All three said that they do, with Jan Milligan, who is running against incumbent Candy McCullough, stressing the need for commissioners to help manage the district’s money well, regardless of whether or not the levy passes. McCullough noted obstacles in the path to raising taxes previously, including a long strategic planning process that was halted before it was completed, the paramedic transition and the departure of two chiefs. Now, she said, all the commissioners strongly believe putting off raising taxes is no way to run the district. Andy Johnson, a former paramedic and firefighter with Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) who now works for King County Medic One and is running unopposed, stressed the high costs of fire departments, but focused on the district’s need for more people — a subject he returned to in his closing remarks. He said that often when he worked on Vashon, all the other responders would be out on calls, volunteer resources would all be tapped, and he and former Chief Hank Lipe would be the only people left at the station to respond to whatever calls came in.

“That’s not adequate,” he said. “We can’t have everything we need for the big disaster, but we should have enough for what can happen on a regular basis.”

Following the candidates’ portion of the evening, Rick Wallace and Alice Larson fielded a variety of questions about the district and the proposed tax increase. Wallace is a longtime leader of VashonBePrepared and is heading the group Citizens to Rebuild Vashon Fire & Rescue Service. Larson, who most recently was involved with the fire district when she worked on the strategic plan process, wrote the “no” statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet for Prop. 1.

Wallace painted a grim picture of the district’s needs. In his opening remarks, he noted that in the nearly three decades VIFR has gone without raising the tax rate, the district has undergone considerable change. It went from an all-volunteer department with 60 on-island volunteers to hiring career firefighters; its call volume increased by 260 percent; inflation outstripped the 1 percent limit on increasing tax revenue from year to year, and revenue was cut substantially when the district paramedics joined the ranks of King County Medic One earlier this year.

“It is time to face reality,” he said. “It’s time to fix today’s problems and plan for tomorrow.”

In her opening remarks, Larson noted that since 2010, the population of the island and call volume have not changed dramatically. Taking issue with the size of the proposed rate increase, she questioned district leaders’ desire to hire several additional firefighters/emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Krimmert has said he would like to hire up to 24 firefighters at a nominal wage to supplement the district’s career staff and dwindling volunteer ranks. With those numbers, he has said, there could be seven staff on shift, plus volunteers. That number would allow the district to respond to simultaneous emergencies, which frequently occur on the island. Larson indicated she feels that many new staff would be excessive for the district’s demand and that VIFR could do more to recruit volunteers.

“Do we really need a lot more paid responders?” she asked.

The fire district is currently in the midst of a its budget process for next year, and Larson criticized the leaders, saying she believes they have sought the proposed increase without providing details regarding where the district is deficient financially and where the proposed increase in revenue would go.

“Do they really need this money,” she asked. “I don’t think they have justified this increase.”

For his part, Wallace noted that Krimmert delivered a series of presentations on the state of the district earlier this year and laid out then what the $1.50 would do. He said the staff Krimmert is planning for would include enough part-time firefighters for the district to meet the National Fire Protection Agency standards for rural areas: six firefighters who could respond to a fire within eight minutes 80 percent of the time.

“We cannot do that now,” he said.

Islander Joe Ulatoski asked Krimmert if he believes lives are at stake if islanders do not pass the levy.

Krimmert responded that it was a tremendous question with no simple answer.

“You do not want us there just for the aid calls,” he said. “You need us there for your house, your fire, your car accident. Those are labor intensive tasks.”

He noted that it has become a common occurrence for the district to field more calls than it has staff on duty to respond to — a trend that he hopes passes.

“I am fearful about our ability to fully protect the island at this time,” he said.

In response to a question about his priorities, he stressed, as he has before, that his priority is hiring people. He also noted that island EMTs respond to all calls, including those where the two paramedics respond. He added that the industry standard for responding to a CPR call, for example, is seven people.

“Staffing is critical,” he stressed.

Beyond personnel, Krimmert said he would fund vehicle replacement, equipment and facilities funds — none of which existed when he took on the chief job last January. Since last week’s meeting, Krimmert has continued to work on the budget — which is a work in progress and requires commissioner input in the weeks ahead. Currently, in addition to increasing staffing, his projections include putting nearly $50,000 in the general reserve account, $46,000 in a volunteer incentive fund and $250,000 each in fleet, facilities and equipment reserve funds.

He also addressed a misconception about the provision that allows the commissioners to raise taxes each year up to 6 percent. While an annual 6 percent increase may be possible — and if implemented would bring in some $6 million by 2023 — it is not mandatory, and annual increases could range anywhere between zero and 6 percent.

In her closing remarks, Larson credited the responders themselves, but encouraged voters to say “no” to this levy and have the district come back with something lower. She said she favors a rate of $1.38 without the extra provision that allows for annual increases.

“What I think we need to do is say ‘no’ and ask that the fire district come back with a middle ground that is reasonable and will not stress us,” she said.

Wallace, however, reminded those gathered that it has been 27 years since islanders were asked to raise taxes for the fire district and therefore have been underpaying for years.

“It’s a catch up. We are catching up for 27 years of bad decision-making, at least in my view. Now we need to make up for it. We need to plan for tomorrow if we want to have a tomorrow,” he said.

During the forum, Krimmert said he heard people’s concerns about increased taxes and just how that money will be spent. Both he and Wallace encouraged islanders to get involved in the budget process now and in the future. Krimmert noted that commissioners regularly meet and make decisions in empty rooms, and he would like for it to be otherwise.

“Engage. I am happy for your input,” he said. “I am happy for your engagement. That will be best way for us to advance our financial situation and improve it.”

Ballots are slated to be mailed today, Wednesday, and must be returned by Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The next fire commissioners’ meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Station 55. The public is welcome.