MONROE — Snohomish County Fire District 7 is hosting a public meeting to answer questions about its fire levy lid lift, presented to the voters in the Aug. 6 primary election ballot. The public is encouraged to attend and ask questions.
The meeting will be on Wednesday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at Station 71, 8010 180th St SE, Snohomish. Fire Chief Gary Meek and members of the Board of Fire Commissioners will be there.
Fire District 7’s fire levy has fallen from the voter-approved rate of $1.50 to $1.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
If approved by voters, the fire levy rate would return to $1.50 per $1,000 This is called a fire levy “lid lift.” The lid lift would cost the owner of a $450,000 home $ 5.25 per month, or $63 per year. It would last for six years and can never exceed the voter-approved rate of $1.50 per $1,000.
The fire district will use the money to maintain current emergency service levels, such as for personnel, training, facilities and maintaining ambulances and medical supplies.
Levy rates fall as property values rise, to limit a fire district to roughly the same amount of revenue per year, plus a one percent increase allowed by law. The one percent hike is not keeping up with rising call volumes or even inflation, fire district officials say. Inflation is 2.3 percent for the area.
The fire levy provides most of the funding to provide emergency services for residents and businesses in Fire District 7. The fire district also provides emergency services to the City of Mill Creek, on a contract basis.
Snohomish County Fire District 7 provides fire and life safety services to the communities of Clearview, Maltby, Mill Creek and Monroe. In 2018, emergency personnel responded to more than 11,000 emergency calls.
More information about the fire levy lid lift can be found on Fire District 7’s web site at www.snofire7.org. Chief Gary Meek also is available to answer questions at gmeek@snofire7.org or 360-794-7666.
