East Pierce Fire & Rescue (District) is placing a one-year lid lift proposition on the April 23, 2024 special-election ballot. East Pierce Fire & Rescue serves a population of over 100,000 residents including Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, the Ridge Communities, South Prairie, Tehaleh, Edgewood, Milton, and a large portion of unincorporated Pierce County. The District responded to 12,558 emergency calls in 2023. This is a 47.4% increase in emergency calls since 2013. However, while firefighters are responding to more calls, the District’s $1.50 general levy has been reduced to $1.09 due to 1% limitations.
Passage of this measure would provide sustainable funding for District operations and emergency response. It will ensure the District can provide the high level of service voters expect, while keeping up with increased service demand and population growth.
If this proposition passes, a taxpayer with the average home value of $500,000 would anticipate an increased tax of $17 per month. If approved, this measure authorizes the District to restore the levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value as previously approved by voters. The dollar amount of the levy collected in 2025 would be used to calculate future levy increase limits.
