A recent Herald article led its readers to believe Fire District 4 is seeking its first levy increase since 2009 and that staffing has remained the same since 2009 as firefighters, EMT’s, and paramedics are all cross-trained (“Snohomish fire district seeks levy increase to expand staffing,” The Herald, March 12).
However, I’d like to dispute that with reliable data from the Snohomish County Assessor’s Office annual reports, 2009 to 2025.
Total distrct expense levy and EMS levy amounts:
In the 10 year period, 2009 to 2019, tax amounts increased from $4.7 million to $8.1 million or an average of about 7 percent per year.
In the five-year period, 2020 to 2025, tax amounts increased from $10 million to $15.6 million or an average of about 11 percent per year.
So clearly, district revenue hasn’t “eroded” over the years as reported. It has grown from $4.7 million in 2009 to $15.6 million in 2025.
If there currently is a staffing shortage, it surely isn’t a revenue problem; it’s a management problem.
Prior to passage of the 2023 District 4 levy increase, there were discussions about mergers or regionalization. Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue District surrounds the district with stations in Monroe, Lake Stevens and Clearview. Merging would produce economies of scale and provide better service at a lower cost by eliminating duplicative overhead and administrative costs.
The district’s request for a tax increase, after a previous one passed less than two years ago, is a bad idea.
Voters should send a message that enough is enough by rejecting District 4’s Prop. 1 on the Aug. 5 election ballot.
Morgan Davis
Snohomish
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