When was the last Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Special Levy?
In 2021, voters approved the last maintenance and operations levy for 2022-2024. This levy was a renewal of the previous levy.
Does SCFD #9 receive operational revenues from the state or county?
No. SCFD #9 is a Junior Taxing Fire District and funded by a Regular Fire Levy and the M&O Levy. We must go back to the voters in our service area every 3 years for the M&O Levy.
Why this levy is needed?
SCFD #9 is funded by TWO LEVIES. The first levy is our Regular Fire Levy which is currently at $0.65/$1,000 of assessed valuation and not part of the M&O levy. The Regular Fire Levy is capped by RCW 84.55 at 1% raise in the levy rate annually per state law. Funding received from the Regular Fire Levy accounts for 35% of our current funding and cannot support SCFD #9 by itself.
What is the regular property tax or Fire Levy?
The regular property tax levy (aka; Fire Levy) generates about 35% of our revenue, and a voter approved Maintenance & Operations (M&O) levy generates the remainder. Revenue from the regular levy supports some of the SCFD #9 basic fire services, while the M&O levy supports 24/7 career staffing, pre-hospital advanced life support (paramedics) and emergency medical services.
In addition to maintenance and operations, will these funds be utilized to purchase equipment?
Yes, 2.3 million dollars of the levy will be utilized to replace essential firefighting equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA, the respirators firefighters wear while suppressing fires to protect their lungs) and firefighter protective clothing (PPE). Both the SCBA’s and PPE are reaching end of service life per National Industry Standards, WAC 296-305, and parts to repair the current SCBA’s are no longer available.
Does SCFD #9 have a voter approved EMS levy?
No, SCFD #9 does not have an EMS levy.
Other Special Levy Information