East Pierce Fire & Rescue is placing a four year emergency medical services (EMS) levy lid lift proposition on the August 1, 2017 ballot. This proposition will re-authorize the property tax levy rate for EMS of $.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, coupled with annual increases of up to 6% in each of the three subsequent years. It would provide funds necessary to operate and maintain emergency medical aid vehicles staffed by emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The dollar amount of the levy in the fourth year would be used to establish the base amount for calculating 1% increases in the future.

This proposition meets the requirement of certain tax laws, requiring any annual increase in revenue of more than 1% to be approved by voters. In 2005, 2011, and 2016 voters approved the EMS tax levy rate of $.50 per thousand dollars of valuation, resetting the lid.

Approval of this proposition would maintain the EMS tax levy rate of $.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and would allow the Fire District to maintain the high level of services it provides to the community. Rejection of this proposition would lead to the loss of approximately $158,000 in projected tax revenue.

This is not a new tax! This is a request to reauthorize your previously approved Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy rate of .50 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation for the next 4 years.

Your support of the EMS Levy has allowed the District to hire paramedics and support a fully staffed Advanced Life Support (ALS) program. In addition, the citizens of East Pierce Fire/Rescue enjoy the benefits of Medic Unit transport to the hospital with no out of pocket expenses.

Continue the highest level of emergency services that you authorized with the previous EMS Levy. Please join us in voting yes to maintain this quality of service to you and your loved ones.

Submitted by: Dave Mataftin, Bill Sandlian, dmviamail@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 84.55.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Bud Backer, Fire Chief, 253-863-1800, bbacker@eastpiercefire.org