King County logo

Ballot measures

v1.0.0.1

Ballot measures

PRIMARY 2024

Valley Regional Fire Authority

Proposition No. 1
Continuation of Fire Benefit Charge

Shall the Valley Regional Fire Authority, composed of the Cities of Algona, Auburn, and Pacific, be authorized to continue voter-authorized benefit charges each year for ten consecutive years, not to exceed an amount equal to sixty percent of its operating budget, and be prohibited from imposing an additional property tax under RCW 52.26.140 (1)(c)?

Yes

No


In 2006, a supermajority of voters from Algona, Auburn, and Pacific, approved the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC). It was subsequently renewed in 2012 and 2018 and is subject to renewal again this year.  Currently, the FBC supports about 37% of the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) operating budget. Support for a ten-year renewal will allow the VRFA to maintain response times and service levels for fire protection, emergency medical aid calls, training of personnel and the purchase of necessary equipment.

 

 The FBC is based on occupancy type and square footage of structures. It reflects a direct and proportional assessment of the cost of providing fire protection services to a particular building. The law allows discounts for senior citizens and for structures with approved fire sprinkler systems. Property owners may appeal their assessments.

 

Each year, the Board of Governance reviews the FBC in a public hearing to ensure fiscal responsibility of this funding for the coming year. Under State law, the FBC may not make up more than 60% of the VRFA operating budget. As long as the FBC is in effect, VRFA may not collect a portion ($0.50/$1,000) of the property tax that would otherwise be allowed.

The Fire Benefit Charge needs to be renewed to continue essential services.  This is not a new tax or a tax increase, but simply a vote to maintain the current funding model. Valley Regional Fire Authority has managed our tax dollars very well while delivering superior fire and emergency medical services to our communities.

The Fire Benefit Charge is about 37% of the department’s operating budget. Failure to renew this funding model will result in fewer firefighters available to respond, longer response times, less training, and elimination of important prevention programs.

Our VRFA firefighters respond to many different types of emergencies, from saving lives to helping older people up from a fall. These services protect our property and improve our quality of life, providing valuable services to our communities. Our firefighter/EMT’s are always there for us, so please join us in voting yes to support them and maintain vital funding.

Submitted by: Leanne Guier, Richard Stirgus, Debbie Christian, VoteYesVRFA@gmail.com

No statement submitted.

Statements in favor of and in opposition to a ballot measure are submitted by committees appointed by the jurisdiction. No persons came forward to serve on the committee and to write a statement in opposition. If you would like to be involved with a committee in the future please contact the jurisdiction.

Simple majority (RCW 52.18.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Mark Horaski, Chief Financial Officer, 253-288-5800, finance@vrfa.org

44 en-US Production

Contact Elections

Email: elections@kingcounty.gov

Phone: 206-296-VOTE (8683)

TTY: Relay 711

Sign up for email or text notifications

King County Elections building entrance
King County Elections

919 Southwest Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057

Get directions

Languages:
中文 (Chinese)
한국어 (Korean)
Русский (Russian)
Soomaali (Somali)
Español (Spanish)
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)