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King County Fire Protection District No. 43

Proposition No. 1
Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services

The Board of King County Fire Protection District No. 43 adopted Resolution R-2023-004 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations.

For the purpose of maintaining current levels of fire and emergency medical services, Proposition No. 1 will restore the District's regular property tax levy to the previous voter-approved rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2024, and set the limit factor at 6% for each of the succeeding five years. The maximum allowable levy in 2029 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by Chapter 84.55 RCW.

Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected


Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety (MVFLS) is placing a multi-year lid lift proposition on the August 1, 2023, primary ballot.  On behalf of MVFLS, firefighters responded to requests for emergency aid 3,194 times in 2022. This is a 17% increase in calls for service since 2017, when voters last approved a lid lift. However, while firefighters are responding to more calls, the $1.50 regular levy rate previously approved by voters is projected to fall below $1.15 due to statutory limitations.

 

This lid-lift proposition is presented to allow voters to override the 1% growth limitation imposed by Initiative 747. If this proposition fails to pass, MVFLS's regular property tax revenue will be capped at 101% of the amount of regular property taxes MVFLS collected in the previous year. If this proposition passes, a taxpayer with the average home value of $400,000 would anticipate an increased tax of $11.70 per month. 

 

Passage of this proposition will reauthorize the property tax levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2024, coupled with annual increases of up to 6% in each of the five subsequent years. This will maintain an effective level of service. The dollar amount of the levy in 2029 would be used to calculate future levy increase limits.

By voting Yes on Ballot Proposition #1, you actively contribute to sustaining the vital funding for Maple Valley King County Fire District #43. This proposition proposes a necessary reset of the property tax rate to $1.50 per thousand.

 

With your support, Fire District #43 can enhance its services in Maple Valley Heights, and Hobart addressing the long-standing issue of inadequate fire stations in these areas. Currently, residents of Maple Valley Heights and Hobart face extended travel times for essential fire and emergency services, as the nearest stations are located in the city. This proposition will not only reopen the previous volunteer station in Maple Valley Heights, staffed around the clock, but also facilitate the construction of a new fire station in Hobart, and replace the aging stations within the growing city. It aims to improve services in these underserved neighborhoods while still maintaining financial stability as well .

 

Safeguarding lives, homes, and businesses should never be taken for granted. We place our trust in the fire department to respond swiftly when every second counts. Now, we have an opportunity to reciprocate that trust by voting Yes. Let us continue to provide the necessary funding and unwavering support to the very service that may one day save Your life or protect Your home.

 

We personally know and trust the five local commissioners and support their plans to improve local Fire District #43. We urge a Yes vote so our fire department can be there to serve your family and ours. Please vote Yes on ballot Propositions #1 for all of Us!

 

Statement submitted by: Warren Iverson, Ashley Reilly, proKCFDproposition1@gmail.com

No statement submitted.

Statements in favor of and in opposition to a ballot measure are submitted by committees appointed by the jurisdiction. No persons came forward to serve on the committee and to write a statement in opposition. If you would like to be involved with a committee in the future please contact the jurisdiction.

Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Mark Jones, Deputy Chief, KCFD43Vote@PugetSoundFire.org

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