Levies to pay for emergency services close to passing
Published 11:37 pm Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Levies to pay for staff and equipment for four Snohomish County fire departments were coasting to victory Tuesday.
Fire District 1
Voters in Fire District 1, which covers much of south Snohomish County, decided to continue a 2002 levy that collects 50 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value in the district.
The levy received 66 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s count and needs only a simple majority to continue the existing tax.
It will cost $150 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home. The levy will be permanent if the measure passes and will fund emergency medical services, including paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
Fire District 5
Voters living in and around Sultan were voting to continue a 2005 levy that enabled Fire District 5 to staff its fire station 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The levy was receiving 66 percent of the vote, easily exceeding the simple majority it needed to pass.
The levy will cost property owners $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $450 for the owner of a $300,000 home. The levy begins in 2008 and will continue for five years.
Fire District 15
Voters in Tulalip-based Fire District 15 were passing a levy that will cost property owners 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Voters approved a 25-cent levy a few years ago, but this vote would make the levy permanent.
The measure received 72 percent of the vote. Because this will be the district’s first permanent 25-cent emergency medical services levy, it needed a 60 percent supermajority to pass.
The levy will cost $75 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home and will pay for emergency medical services.
Fire District 28
Fire District 28 voters renewed a levy to buy medical equipment and provide medical services for people living in the 170-square-mile rural area in and around Index.
The levy pulled in 83 percent of votes received Tuesday.
The levy will cost property owners 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $75 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home. The assessment begins in 2008 and expires in 2013.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
