King County Fire Protection District No. 47 provides emergency fire protection and medical services to its residents. The maximum regular levy rate for Washington fire districts is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Due to the statutory 1% limitation on property tax increases, the District’s current levy rate has decreased over time to approximately $0.54 per $1,000 of assessed value.
If approved, this proposition would authorize the District to restore its regular property tax levy rate to $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026 for collection in 2027, representing an increase of $0.46 per $1,000 of assessed value. District voters previously approved a levy rate of $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2008.
This proposition would also allow the District to maintain funding levels over the following five years by establishing an annual growth factor equal to the greater of the statutory limit (currently 1%) or the 12-month Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, subject to statutory limits.
The Board of Commissioners has determined that restoring the levy rate is necessary to maintain current levels of fire protection, fire suppression, and emergency medical services, and to support the safety of firefighters serving the community.
