EVERETT — Fire District 1 is pumping the brakes on a ballot measure that would change the way it draws taxes.
The earlier plan was to ask voters in August to approve a new “benefit charge” that would replace part of the fire levy. It would collect more property taxes for apartment buildings and businesses than for single-family homes, based on fire protection needs.
The district needs more time to gather input, Fire Chief Ed Widdis said.
In Washington, nine agencies have adopted a benefit charge but so far none have in Snohomish County. District 1 is the county’s largest, serving much of the area south of Everett.
The decision to wait was made after hearing from people at public meetings, Widdis said.
“We want to spend more time on the issue with our community before moving forward,” he said.
There are technical issues to work out, too, board chairman Jim Kenny said Friday.
It’s not clear yet how the charge would be collected — compared to a fire levy — and what the formula would be to determine the exact bill for every property, he said.
“There are still some things to be worked out regarding the finer points of that,” he said.
That’s why an online calculator tool hasn’t gone live yet, as had been previously promised.
The proposed change would not affect people in Brier, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, because those cities contract with the fire district for service.
The earliest the matter could go to a vote now would be November. To pass, it would require a supermajority — 60 percent of the ballots cast.
“We’re just going to make sure we take our time and get it right,” Kenny said. “We’re looking at later, and I’m not sure what later looks like right now.”
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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