4 minute read
Town of Eatonville
Special Election - Proposition No. 1 - Replacement Emergency Medical Services Levy
Complete resolution text at PierceCountyElections.org
Ballot Title
The Eatonville Town Council passed Resolution 2022-U concerning the replacement of an expiring levy for emergency medical services. It would authorize the Town of Eatonville to continue to impose an additional regular property tax levy of fifty cents or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of six consecutive years solely for the provision of emergency medical services. Should this proposition be approved?
Explanatory Statement
State law limits the amount of property tax the town can collect every year, but the limit may be exceeded on a short-term basis if sixty percent (60%) of the town’s voters approve. In 2016, the voters approved a proposition to fund EMS services with an additional property tax levy of fifty cents ($0.50) or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for six consecutive years. Proposition 1 would replace the EMS levy that expires at the end of 2022. If approved, Proposition 1 would continue funding needed to pay for EMS services.
Based on current trends, the town estimates it will have insufficient revenue to fully fund necessary EMS operations without the revenue generated by this levy. If approved, Proposition 1 would result in a property tax rate for EMS services of $0.50 or less per $1,000 assessed value and would be levied for six consecutive years. For example, property assessed at $100,000 would pay an additional $50 per year or less in taxes. The actual levy rates will be adjusted based upon the assessed value of property within the Town limits and the legal limits on the levy amount and levy rate at the time of each levy.
Statement For
The Town of Eatonville is presenting voters an opportunity to renew the expiring Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) Levy. If approved, the sixyear levy of $0.50 or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation helps cover some of the costs associated with EMS provided to town citizens. The town uses these funds to provide needed EMS, including personnel costs, training for personnel and related equipment and supplies needed for such services. This is not a new tax! If this EMS levy is not passed, the town will be forced to reduce or cut services. EMS Levies are valid for 6 years and must be re-approved by the voters or the funding goes away. This will renew the expiring levy for the same amount of tax money as before. Please vote to approve this levy to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Please help us to help you!
Statement Against
No statement was submitted against this issue.
Complete resolution text at PierceCountyElections.org
Ballot Title
Will Central Pierce Fire & Rescue be re-authorized to impose regular property tax levies of fifty cents ($0.50) or less per thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of assessed valuation for each of six consecutive years to continue providing basic and advanced (paramedic) emergency medical services?
Explanatory Statement
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy has been in place throughout the District since the 1980s. Reauthorization of the EMS Levy will continue funding paramedic emergency medical services throughout the District, which also includes the City of Puyallup. Approximately 72% of the District’s calls for service are EMS-related. Revenue raised by the EMS Levy would be used for personnel, training, equipment, and supplies, and provide sustainable funding for emergency medical purposes.
The EMS Levy also funds the EMS Transport Program which pays for citizens of the District to be transported to area hospitals by fire department ambulance, with no out of pocket expenses to District residents.
Passage of Proposition No. 1 will continue the current EMS Levy for an additional six years at the current rate of .50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. At this rate, the owner of a home assessed at $400,000 pays $200 per year to ensure timely paramedic emergency medical service and ambulance transportation to area hospitals, at no cost to District residents.
Statement For
Yes! Support our Paramedics and EMT’s.
Emergency Medical Services improves quality of life and adds value to our community. Our
Paramedics and EMT’s are always there for us, so vote yes to reauthorize and renew this vital funding.
Statement Against
Yes! Funding for the EMS Levy needs to be reauthorized and renewed.
The EMS Levy makes up 16% of the District’s operating budget. EMS Incident volume and critical incidents are increasing. Without this funding, our Paramedics and EMT’s do not have the resources they need to effectively service the wide variety of incidents they get requested for.
No statement was submitted against this issue.
Yes! Keep Emergency Medical Operations fully funded.
This is not a new tax, but simply a required vote to maintain current funding that has been in place for decades. Reauthorization and renewal of the EMS Levy will continue funding important ALS (Advanced Life Support) & BLS (Basic Life Support) level medical services throughout the District.
Committee Members: Mike Roley, Marysusan Lotte, 92 iaff2175@aol.com
