Proposition No. 1: Property Tax Levy for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services
Restores the regular fire property tax rate
How it appears on your ballot
"The Board of King County Fire Protection District No. 40 adopted Resolution No. 577 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations.
This proposition authorizes the District to restore its regular property tax levy to $1.00 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation to be levied in 2023 and authorizes annual adjustments by the greater of 1% or the annual CPI-W for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue as reported in June of the levy year for each of the five succeeding years. The dollar amount of the levy in 2029 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by Chapter 84.55 RCW.
Should this proposition be: Approved or Rejected"
The Branch Breakdown
What it means
The Fairwood Fire Department is funded by an additional tax on property, which is called a levy. The levy rate used to be $1 for every $1,000 in property value, but the rate fell to 68 cents because it is capped by law. This proposition would get rid of the cap on the levy rate, returning the levy rate to $1 for every $1,000 in property value in 2024. In the years after 2024, the rate would increase by 1% or by inflation in the area, whichever is greater. If the levy rate is raised, the cost to property owners would be offset by the fire benefit charge being lowered. The proposition passing would result in an increase in property taxes of $194.46 per year for a $600,000 home. Supporters say that raising the levy rate is necessary to maintain fire department service. No opponents filed a statement opposing the rate increase.
A "yes" vote means
- The fire levy property tax rates goes back up to its previous rate of $1 per $1,000 of property value.
- The fire benefit charge decreases.
- The fire district is fully funded.
A "no" vote means
- The fire levy property tax rate stays at its current rate of 68 cents per $1,000 of property value.
- The fire benefit charge stays at its current rate.
- The fire district is not fully funded.