South King Fire and Rescue (SKFR), serving the citizens of Greater Federal Way, Des Moines, and North/South Lakeland Unincorporated areas is placing a multi-year lid lift proposition on the August 1, 2023, primary ballot. SKFR responded to the community’s requests for emergency medical care, fire suppression, rescue, and other emergencies, 24,429 times in 2022. This is a 20% increase in calls for service since 2018 when voters last approved a lid lift. However, while firefighters are responding to more calls, the $1.50 regular levy rate previously approved is projected to fall below $1.25 due to statutory limitations.
This lid-lift proposition is presented to allow voters to override the 1% growth limitation imposed by Initiative 747. If the lid lift does not pass, the total property tax revenue of SKFR would be limited to 101% of SKFR’s previous year’s revenue after 2024.
If this proposition passes, a taxpayer with the average home value of $500,000 would anticipate an increased tax of $10.00 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.
