Gary Perman says ‘Camas can fix its mismanagement in other ways besides creating a new taxing authority’

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

Over the past few weeks, my inbox has been overflowing with messages from Camas and Washougal residents:

“Didn’t we already vote this down?”

“Yes we did. No still means no.”

“So why is it back on the ballot? Do they think we’re stupid?” 

The Money Trail 

The firefighters’ union is pouring serious cash and manpower into promoting this measure  and that alone should make taxpayers pause. When a special-interest group spends heavily to “educate” voters, it’s rarely about safety. It’s about securing bigger budgets and long-term control. 

You’ve probably heard the sales pitch: “It’s only the cost of a weekly cup of coffee.”

Here’s what they don’t tell you:

• Only 2% of all fire calls are actual structure fires.
• A single 2017 safety fine cost $4,800 for not having a second fire truck at a house fire – not “millions.”
• The RFA doesn’t expand coverage, add services, or hire more staff on $1.05/$1,000
• Creating the RFA adds another taxing authority, one that can (and will) raise your taxes. 

In fact, a taxpayer-funded survey found that 87% of residents are satisfied with fire services, and 90% are satisfied with EMS. Clearly, the fire system isn’t broken. 

What’s Actually Changing? 

Not the service.

Not the management.

Not the leadership.

Just the tax burden. 

Here’s what that looks like for Camas taxpayers: 

Average Camas home value: $731,000
→ $2.90 × 731 = $2,119.90 per year

The actual cost of fire services, according to the City’s Director of Finance, is $0.88 per $1,000. Yet the Council, advised by both the Director and the City Administrator, voted to return only $0.71 per $1,000  effectively creating double taxation for residents. 

Same staff. Same leadership. Same service. Higher taxes.

No increase in emergency coverage.

No expansion of services.

Same management running the show.

The only thing expanding is the government’s ability to tax you more, automatically by 1% per year, plus a likely new levy within two years of the RFA’s creation to ask you for MORE money. 

Camas can fix its mismanagement in other ways besides creating a new taxing authority.  

Gary Perman
concerned taxpayer
Camas/Washougal 

---

Also read:

• 
  49th Legislative District Democrats share their reasons for backing state income tax at Town Hall
  Three Democrat legislators defended the new income tax affecting only those earning over $1 million annually.
• 
  Letter: Freeze the scope and build the bridge
  Vancouver resident calls for project discipline after 22 years of planning and nearly half a billion in costs.
• 
  Opinion: Public workers’ First Amendment rights are getting attention – in Idaho, not Washington
  Idaho moves to stop public schools from collecting union dues through government payroll while Washington continues favoring unions over worker choice.
• 
  Opinion: Lawsuit filed against the unconstitutional income tax in Washington state
  Former Attorney General Rob McKenna and Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge challenge the 9.9% income tax in Klickitat Superior Court.
• 
  Letter: ‘Oregon and Washington aren’t refusing to clean their rolls — they’re contesting federal jurisdiction and timing’
  Camas resident challenges Lars Larson’s fraud claims, explaining legal disputes over federal jurisdiction.