King County Fire Protection District No. 47 provides emergency fire protection and medical services to its citizens. The maximum regular levy rate for Washington fire districts is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Due to the statutory 1% limitation on property tax increases, the Fire District’s current levy rate is approximately $.54.
If approved by the voters, this proposition will authorize the District to restore its regular property tax levy rate to $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2025 for collection in 2026. District voters in 2008 previously approved a tax levy rate of $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The proposition will also allow the District to keep pace with inflation by establishing an annual growth factor of the greater of the statutory limit factor (currently one percent) or the 12-month CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue reported for June of each levy year, subject to statutory limits.
The Board of Commissioners has determined that the tax levy and the revenue it will produce is necessary to maintain the current level of fire protection, fire suppression and emergency medical services while providing for the safety of our firefighters.
