Swinomish contributions

This year the Swinomish Tribe is contributing $150,000 to Fire District 13. That is $100,000 for fire and EMS/ambulance service to the Village, and $50,000 for providing the same service to Shelter Bay and Pull & Be Damned.

Prior to the Great Wolf decision, the $100,000 for servicing the Village came from the Tribe’s general fund under a separate contract.

For the past three years it has come from taxes collected from Shelter Bay and Pull & Be Damned. The Native Americans living in the Village do not pay taxes, so the taxpayers are funding fire and EMS/ambulance service to the Village.

The County Assessor sets a levy rate of $.9658 per thousand for Fire District 13. This, times the Swinomish Tax Authority’s value of $148,525,143 for Shelter Bay and Pull & Be Damned, equals $143,446. There are 3,345 tax parcels left in the district, so the average taxpayer in Fire District 13 sees an extra $42.88 added to his/her tax bill.

The Commissioners of Fire District 13 have put up with this charade for three years. But, they are guilty, as well. They enjoy the inadequate $50,000 contribution from the Tribe for service to Shelter Bay and Pull & Be Damned, as well as the $143,446 from the County that is paid by the taxpayers.

The Commissioners should seek arbitration as provided in paragraph 18.2.1 of their contract with the Tribe and they should deduct whatever contribution they receive from their levy request to the County Assessor.

Dan O’Donnell

La Conner