Fire Levy Lid Lift
On August 1, 2023, the citizens of South Kitsap Fire and Rescue (SKFR) will be asked to vote on restoring the District’s Fire Levy. Fire district levies are not new taxes. This is a renewal of the current fire levy that was approved in 2017. If approved by the majority of SKFR voters, the fire levy would restore to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The $0.41 increase to the current levy rate of $1.09 would be used to hire Firefighter EMTs and Firefighter Paramedics to add to the current daily staffing of 19.
The $0.41 over the six-year restored levy will provide:
- Additional Firefighter EMTs and Firefighter Paramedics on duty every day
- 24-hour staffing at Station 10 – Banner Road
- Faster response times to emergencies
- Improved community and firefighter safety
In 2013, SKFR began staffing 19 Firefighter EMTs and Firefighter Paramedics, when our call volume was less than 9,000 per year. Over the last 10 years, as the community has grown, so too has the need for our services represented by a 55% increase in call volume, while our daily staffing has remained the same. The results are slower response times, fewer available fire engines and ambulances to respond to simultaneous calls, delayed care to the community, and increased risk and injury for our personnel.
Without the $0.41 to restore the levy, SKFR and the community face:
- Fewer Firefighter EMTs and Firefighter Paramedics on duty every day beginning in 2024
- The potential of station closures
- Slower response times
- The potential loss of automatic and mutual aid from neighboring fire departments
SKFR conducted 10 town hall style meetings in March of 2023, with nine in-person opportunities at various locations throughout the fire district, and one virtual. The insight gained from these town halls was then shared with the Citizens Advisory Group over two additional meetings, resulting in recommending and supporting the levy restoration.
We take our mission of “doing the work our community needs with purpose, performing as a team of professionals, always evaluating, always improving” seriously. Regardless of their role within our organization, all the professionals and volunteers are proud to serve our community and are committed to providing the best service possible. As our community continues to grow, so too must SKFR. Let’s grow together!
Frequenty Asked Questions
Will the levy cost the taxpayers $180 Million over 6 years? NO!
The fire levy will not cost the taxpayers $180 million dollars over six years. If Proposition 1 is approved on August 1, the new revenue generated will be approximately $55 million over a six-year period, not $180 million! The current levy is a permanent fire levy; therefore, the fire levy will continue with a maximum of 1% increase. Regardless of the outcome of Proposition 1, the revenue for the fire levy will be approximately $100 million over a six-year period.
How much has SKFR paid for property in preparation for future growth?
The fire district has been preparing for future growth by making property purchases for future fire stations. The funds that have been used were from capital savings and some one-time state ambulance transport money, called Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) in 2018. The total costs paid by the district were:
|
Bethel Road (near Mullenix) |
$243,531 |
|
Woods Road |
$236,149 |
|
Woods Road |
$265,000 |
|
Woods Road |
$446,195 |
|
Mile Hill Drive |
$298,185 |
|
Old Clifton Road |
$530,447 |
|
|
$2,019,507 |
These properties are investments in our community and will, in the long run, save taxpayers money. By purchasing these properties early, the district was able to purchase them all before the real estate inflation that has occurred in the last three years. Additionally, the district will not need to include these funds in a future bond for actual construction of the fire stations, in essence saving interest on $2,000,0000 of taxpayer money.
Will Proposition 1 be used to build new fire stations?
The districts highest priority is increasing our twenty-four hour staffing levels to keep up with the growth in South Kitsap. At this time, we estimate the entire fire levy will be needed to hire twenty-one additional firefighters. Like any budget the district commissioners approve, we will look for ways to be efficient and stretch our taxpayers dollars as far as we can go. If the opporunity presents itself to set more money aside so that a facility bond can be reduced, we will do that.
It is in the strategic plan to consider a facility bond in 2025 to complete our facility master plan. However, no decision has been made by the board of commissioners at this time.
Is there information available on homeowner's property tax?
Yes! Click here for guide from the WA State Department of Revenue.
What is on my ballot?
South Kitsap Fire and Rescue and the Board of Commissioners are considering asking voters to return the fire levy from $1.09 to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This is called a “fire levy lid lift.”
Why is my fire district asking for this?
The fire levy accounts for almost 60% of our revenue and is critical to maintain emergency service levels.
Call volumes have increased 55% in the past 10 years – 6% in the past year alone. Response times are increasing, and our community requires more firefighters to maintain emergency service levels.
Have voters approved a fire levy of $1.50/$1,000 in the past?
Yes, voters returned the fire levy rate to $1.50 in 2017. Levy rates fall as property values rise to limit a fire district to roughly the same amount of revenue per year, any voter-approved increase, and new construction.
What is “new construction” revenue?
This is tax dollars that a fire district may receive from new homes or buildings. That revenue is used to serve those new homes and does not allow for any service level improvements.
How will the funding be used?
Funding will be used to increase daily staffing of firefighter/paramedics or firefighter/emergency medical technicians over the next six years. Additional personnel will reduce response times, improve reliability, and help us better manage multiple emergencies that happen at the same time.
How much will it cost?
This $0.41 fire levy lid lift would cost the average homeowner (defined as a home with an assessed value of $350,000) an additional $143.50 per year, or $11.96 per month (based on 2023 assessed valuations).
When is the election?
The fire levy lid lift will be on the Primary Election on August 1st, 2023. Your ballot must be returned or postmarked by August 1st to count.
Where can I find more information?
Chief Jeff Faucett is also available to answer questions at jfaucett@skfr.org or (360) 895-6502