No one likes taxes when they do not know exactly where their money is going. That is one reason why we support the proposed Mukilteo EMS levy. With an EMS levy, the state statute guarantees that every dime of your tax dollar is going toward Emergency Medical Services.

The current EMS levy expires at the end of this year. This levy has supported a long overdue increase in service, including hiring paramedics and staffing the downtown station. We can finally provide the emergent care that people need when they really need it.

The proposed EMS levy will overwhelmingly be used to maintain our current service. One reason it is being proposed at a higher rate is due to the fact that the current levy was never designed to fully fund EMS. It was only partial funding at a time when the economy was doing well and the general fund could fund the rest.

Obviously, times have changed. There are major budget shortfalls. Consequently, elected officials have to be looking at ways to save money, including; consolidating, merging and even cutting services. We would hope that public safety remains the top priority and emerges unscathed from any cuts. However, if there is one service that you can specifically voice your support for, and be assured that every dime goes where you say it should go, shouldn’t that service be EMS? We believe so. We ask that you mark your Aug. 17 ballot yes on EMS.

Kirk Galatas

President, IAFF Local 3482

Mukilteo Firefighters

Everett