The Mirror’s editorial board endorses the following measures in the 2015 general election:

Yes: South King Fire Prop. 1

South King Fire and Rescue is asking voters for a $39 million capital bond measure that will replace critical fire vehicles that are aging.

It’s one of several reasons that the bond merits a yes vote during the general election.

The $39 million capital bond measure asks taxpayers owning a $250,000 home to pay on average of $40 in property taxes per year or $3.33 per month.

Equipment and fire apparatus that were paid for with the 1992 capital bond, including fuel storage tanks, are coming to the end of their life and need to be replaced. The district also needs to upgrade equipment, including lifesaving and cardiac response equipment and firefighter safety and breathing equipment.

In addition, the fire district needs new aid cars, engines, earthquake upgrades to its fire stations, as well as renovations to eight fire stations.

Passage of the bond will help the fire district prepare for the future and serve residents with the best service and equipment possible. It will help the district maintain its fast response and the measure will invest in the safety of our community.

But this endorsement comes with conditions.

The fire district cannot ignore the vocal opposition to this bond measure we the community have heard during the campaign. The fact that the previous $53.7 million capital bond measure failed last April points to a leadership issue with the fire district.

We urge South King Fire and Rescue to use the funds from this bond measure to the best of their ability and take a deep look at their leadership if district officials hope to pass a subsequent bond measure in the near future to fund the remaining $14.7 million the district still needs.

Yes: Federal Way Advisory Prop. 1

The Federal Way City Council has passed three temporary marijuana business bans since voters approved statewide Initiative 502 in November 2012.

Now, the city is asking voters whether the council should allow marijuana-related businesses in Federal Way.

For many people with various medical conditions, having marijuana retail shops accessible right here at home is a quality of life issue. People advancing through painful treatments for cancer and other debilitating diseases should not have to travel further than the city limits to access marijuana that helps ease their pain.

Per state law, the city is allowed up to four marijuana retail shops — businesses that would contribute to much-needed tax revenue for the city.

We urge the City Council to consider appropriating a portion of those revenues toward law enforcement and policing in and around the marijuana businesses, and using some of the remaining funds for education to keep marijuana out of the hands of our youth for which I-502 was not intended.