South King Fire & Rescue continues to offer higher quality fire and emergency services at a lower cost to taxpayers than surrounding communities.  However, those services are threatened. In order to maintain our service, please VOTE YES for SKF&R’s maintenance and operations levy. 

Our fire district has lost over 22% of our annual revenue since 2009 as property values have declined. This reduction has necessitated major cutbacks in service levels and personnel, longer emergency response times, and 23 departmental vacancies including front line firefighters. Those who remain have taken voluntary cuts in pay and benefits.

This levy maintains current fire department services and personnel, only costs the average homeowner of a $200,000 home less than $5 per month, and restores an emergency aid unit to improve response times. Failure will ultimately lead to more cuts in vital services.  

Our department runs a lean operation without sacrificing public safety. With the passing of this levy, our department’s tax rate will remain lower than most neighboring jurisdictions.

This levy requires a 60% super-majority to pass. Please join the 59% of our community who already voted in favor of this levy.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! Vote YES in SUPPORT of our community’s safety!

Does the district need additional funding provided by this Excess Levy? Yes.

For the third time is as many years, the district is asking for more money, hoping that increases in voter approval will surpass voter fatigue of repeated ballot measures.

This Excess Levy covers the bare minimum, increasing firefighter numbers while training and district buildings continue to suffer.

Elections cost almost $150,000 tax dollars. Has the administration shown enough leadership and financial responsibility? Remember, the district likely will be back again in each of the next three years asking for more money.

They had no public vote for the $4.7 million training center property, costing $230,000 per year (interest only) with nothing paying the principal and no funds for construction. And even though the bond was refinanced, the general public hears no district discussion since 2009 of the proposed $65 million training/administration/maintenance facility. 

Have you seen enough positive changes to pass an Excess Levy?

Possibly, yet our firefighters have repeatedly suffered wage freezes while some commissioners continue demanding pay for non-essential mileage and meals. 

Have they sacrificed enough for you to vote increasing your taxes?

Does the district warrant passage of an Excess Levy?

The Con Committee questions whether additional funding for the district is necessary.

The funding from this levy helps ensure that your fire department has the resources necessary to protect the public. Like everyone else in this recession the department has made sacrifices; they have reduced positions, given back raises, delayed equipment purchases and eliminated programs.

The district can sacrifice no further without seriously jeopardizing public safety.

Vote YES for our community safety! YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

Statement submitted by: Wayne Corey, Jon McIntosh, and Danny Peterson
206-824-1066

Vote for Accountable governance.

Sacrifices by our firefighters are to be lauded. 

Will the actions of two elected officials jeopardize levy passage?

Failing Walk-the-Talk restraint during budget crisis, taking no pay cuts for nonessential meals-and-wheels expenses, some on your governing body say one thing but do another.

We agree. Services are threatened. By me-first attitudes of a few.

If this levy fails, look to these two “lean operation” commissioners for accountability.

Statement submitted by: Jerry Galland and Chuck Brezina
cuttinglight@comcast.net

60% yes vote and a minimum turnout of 13,073 (Washington Constitution, article VII, section 2 (b))