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Renton Regional Fire Authority

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

The Board of Renton Regional Fire Authority adopted Resolution No. 2023-03 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund Renton Regional Fire Authority’s operations.

This proposition authorizes the Renton Regional Fire Authority to restore its regular property tax levy to $1.00 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation in 2023 and authorizes annual adjustments by the greater of 1% or the annual CPI-W for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue as reported in June of the levy year for each of the five succeeding years. The maximum allowable levy in 2028 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by Chapter 84.55 RCW.

Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected


Renton Regional Fire Authority (Renton RFA) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to its citizens. This proposition will authorize the Renton RFA to restore its regular real property tax levy rate (currently approximately $.61 per thousand of assessed valuation) to its 2018 levy rate of $1.00 and will authorize an annual growth rate greater of 1% or the annual CPI-W for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue as reported in June for each of the five succeeding years to allow the RFA to keep pace with inflation.

 

Renton RFA has a two-part funding system including this property tax in combination with a benefit charge. The benefit charge is a service fee based on the square footage of your structure and the amount of resources needed to extinguish a fire.  Due to voter approved limits, property tax collections cannot exceed a 1% increase per year.  As a result of this limitation, the benefit charge portion of our funding has gradually increased.  If this measure is approved with the restoration of the property tax to $1.00 per thousand and the use of a CPI annual adjustment, the department will be able to reduce the benefit charge applied to all parcels in the RFA based on size and use.

 

This rebalancing of the two-part funding system will allow the Renton RFA to maintain and improve fire protection, prevention, emergency medical services and the protection of life and property in the Renton RFA response area.

Proposition 1 is a crucial measure that will significantly impact the safety and well-being of our community. By voting "yes" to restore our fire levy to its original, voter-approved rate, we can secure the necessary resources to ensure effective emergency response, enhance our fire department's capabilities, and fortify their indispensable services.

 

This measure addresses financial challenges set by WA State’s 1% revenue growth cap and rising inflation, ensuring Renton RFA secures the funds necessary to maintain operations effectively. 

 

Our community's rapid growth amplifies the demand for reliable emergency services. Proposition 1 provides Renton RFA the means to meet this increasing demand, sustaining our community's high safety standards and supporting the replacement of Renton’s oldest fire station with a new, 50-year station in one of Renton’s fastest growing areas.

 

Proposition 1 signifies our pledge to protect our community, businesses, homes, and families.  In emergencies, every second is crucial. This measure will allow Renton to maintain our high-quality response times, state-of-the art resources, and expert personnel while saving taxpayer dollars long term.

 

We implore you to vote “yes” on Proposition 1.  It’s not just a ballot measure – it’s a crucial investment in our shared safety, peace of mind, and prosperous future.

 

Statement submitted by: Diane Dobson, Jason Parker, dmd821@aol.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: Steven C. Heitman, Fire Chief, (425) 276-9500, levy@rentonrfa.org

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