To the Editor:
The March 12 front page Herald article led its readers to believe FD4 is seeking its first levy increase since 2009 and that staffing has remained the same since 2009 as firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are all cross-trained.
However, I’d like to dispute that with reliable data straight from the Snohomish County Assessor’s Office’s Annual Reports, 2009 to 2025.
Total FD4 EXPENSE Levy and EMS Levy tax amounts:
In the 10 year period, 2009 to 2019, tax amounts increased from $4.713 million to $8.112 million or an average of about 7% per year.
In the 5-year period, 2020 to 2025, tax amounts increased from $10.030 million to $15.625 million or an average of about 11% per year.
So clearly, FD4 revenue hasn’t “eroded” over the years as reported in the Herald. It has grown from $4.713 million in 2009 to $15.625 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 FD4 levy increase, there were discussions about mergers or regionalization. Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue District surrounds FD4 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.
FD4’s request for another tax increase, after a previous one just passed less than two years ago, is a bad idea.
Voters should send a message “enough is enough” by rejecting FD4’s Prop 1 on the August 5th election ballot.
Morgan Davis
Snohomish
