King County Fire Protection District 34 provides fire protection, prevention and emergency medical services to the residents of unincorporated King County in the greater Redmond community through an emergency services agreement with the City of Redmond. The District pays the City of Redmond for costs of the emergency medical and fire protection services provided by the City of Redmond Fire Department.
The legal maximum regular levy rate for Washington fire districts is $1.50 (per $1,000 of assessed value). However, due to rapid increases in property values and the statutory 1% limitation on annual property tax increases, the District’s current levy rate in 2022 has decreased to approximately $0.92.
Presently, due to the impacts of inflation and increases in the cost of services provided by the City of Redmond, the funds available under the current tax limit are insufficient to maintain the current level of service provided by the City of Redmond Fire Department.
If approved, Proposition No. 1 will increase the District’s regular property tax levy rate to $1.25 in 2023 and set the limit factor for calculating annual levies at up to 106% for the following five years (2024-2028). The estimated $0.33 increase in 2022 would equal approximately $34 per month for a $1,200,000 home. The 2028 levy amount will be used to calculate subsequent levy limits. This funding amount is anticipated to be sufficient to maintain the District’s current level of service provided by the City of Redmond Fire Department.
