East Pierce Fire Asks Voters For Levy Lid Lift This Election

BONNEY LAKE, WA — East Pierce Fire & Rescue is asking the public to approve a proposition to increase the cost of their fire levy in order to help them keep up with the "substantial increase in 911 calls" they've seen this year.

As the agency explains, the East Pierce Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution to put Proposition 1, a regular fire levy, on the upcoming November ballot. If approved by the voters, it would increase the current levy to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and allow for an up to six percent increase for the next three years.

Right now, the levy rate is $1.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value. According to an example provided by the fire agency, the increase would mean a homeowner with a property worth $450,000 would see an increase of $63 per year, or $5.25 per month.

In total, that homeowner would pay $675 annually, up from $612.

Firefighters argue the increase is necessary to keep up with the rapid growth East Pierce County has seen over recent years. In 2021 alone, East Pierce Fire says it has responded to an additional 2,500 emergency calls — about 10 percent more than years prior.

"In Washington State, fire districts are limited to tax collection growth of 1% per year regardless of our residents' increase in their property values," the agency explains. "As our population and 911 emergencies grow at a rate far greater than 1% per year, we are challenged to meet the growing demand to provide service."

The department also points out that it is currently one of most cost-effective departments in Pierce County, charging about $1.81 in levies and fees per $1,000 in assessed value. For comparison, South Pierce Fire costs $1.91/$1000 AV and West Pierce Fire & Rescue Costs $2.99/$1,000 AV.

East Pierce Fire & Rescue serves 97,000 residents living around in 153 square miles of Pierce County, including residents of Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, the Ridge Communities, South Prairie, Tehaleh, Edgewood and Milton.

>> Learn more about Proposition 1 from East Pierce Fire & Rescue.