Officials with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue are asking voters in the district to increase property taxes in order to replace aging equipment, fix up crumbling fire houses and keep up with an increasing call load.
Not everyone, however, is convinced that a tax hike is necessary.
Fire commissioners voted last month to place a 35-cent levy lid lift on the Aug. 1 primary ballot. If it passes, it will amount to an extra $70 a year for the owner of a home worth $200,000.
The total levy would be $1.11 annually for every $1,000 of assessed value.