King County Fire Protection District No. 2 (the District) is placing a property tax lid lift proposition on the August 3, 2021 ballot.
The District responded to the community’s requests for emergency medical care, fire suppression, rescue, and other emergencies, 10,746 times in 2020. This is a 21.4% increase in calls for service since 2012. However, while firefighters are responding to more calls, the statutorily approved $1.50 fire levy rate is projected to fall to $1.35 in 2022 due to 1% limitations set forth by statute. Passage of this measure would maintain the levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2022 and provide for a limit factor of up to 6% in the succeeding five years. The dollar amount of the levy in 2027 would be used to calculate future levy increase limits.
If approved, this measure authorizes the District to maintain the levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value as approved by voters. A taxpayer with the average home value of $400,000.00 would anticipate an increased tax of $5.00 per month if this measure passes. Revenue raised by this measure provides sustainable funding for the District.
