As I write this, the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau is evaluating and determining San Juan Island’s fire insurance five-year appraisal and rating (the lower rating the better). Many home and business insurance companies rely on this appraisal and rating when setting their premiums. Please note, WSRB is not a government agency. It is a nonprofit company working for insurance companies. It has no regulations and no governing bodies. The State’s Insurance Commission has no say unless WSRB is breaking the law, which it isn’t.

One reason for putting the Fire District # Levy Lift on the Nov. 5 ballot is to maintain the lowest fire insurance rating from the WSRB as possible. Staffing, age of equipment, training, volunteer support and location of fire station are line items takin into account by the WSRB. By voting yes on the levy lift, your fire district would be assured to have the funds needed to maintain as low a WSRB rating as possible, a return on your investment. Keep in mind that according to the Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner, insurance for a single-family home spiked an average of 16 % in 2023 and nearly 12% this year.

Passage of Fire District 3 Levy Lift will not only ensure San Juan Island’s ability to continue the quality professional fire and rescue services it expects, but also go a long way towards making living here less expensive. Keeping insurance rates as low as possible is a win-win for everyone.

Vote yes on the Fire District Levy Lift Nov. 5

Dwight Colley

Chair, Board of Commissioners

San Juan Island Fire District 3