EVERETT — One of Snohomish County’s largest fire districts is rethinking how it does business.
Fire District 1, serving much of southwest county, may add what’s called a “benefit charge” that would replace part of the fire levy.
The tax would be calculated based on the size and type of buildings instead of just their assessed value. Owners of commercial buildings, apartment complexes and other multi-family dwellings would pay more than single-family homeowners. That’s because bigger buildings have greater fire protection needs.
An online calculator for people to determine their projected bill is expected to go live this week.
The proposed change would affect people in the district’s unincorporated areas south of Everett, but not the contract cities of Brier, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace.
Nothing would happen without a public vote. The commissioners have until early May to decide on a ballot measure for the primary election in August, Fire Chief Ed Widdis said Monday. The measure would need a supermajority — 60 percent — of the votes cast to pass.
The chief said he sees it as a more stable and fair approach to paying for services.
The district currently is capped at collecting $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire tax and 50 cents for the EMS levy. The benefit charge would limit the district’s fire levy at $1 for $1,000. It would not affect the EMS tax.
No other agencies in Snohomish County collect a benefit charge. Widdis counts nine agencies elsewhere in the state that do, mostly along the I-5 corridor in King and Pierce counties.
Widdis was hesitant to share projections for how the benefit charges could impact people’s bills, because the formula still is being worked out. “We will have graphs,” he said. “We will have all of that.”
Public hearings are planned for 6 p.m. March 3 and March 17 at district headquarters, 12425 Meridian Ave. S., south of Everett near Mariner High School. A one-hour presentation will be followed by time for comment. Neighborhood meetings are planned in April.
The district’s budget is $40 million for 2015. Revenues primarily come from fire and EMS levies, contracts with cities, and ambulance fees.
The district has signed contracts with a technical consultant for $4,500 and a public relations firm for up to $50,000 connected to selling the new proposal.
A benefit charge lasts six years, with annual public hearings required for any rate changes. If approved by voters, the earliest it could go into effect is Jan. 1, 2016.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
Have your say
For more information or to share input about Fire District 1’s proposed benefit charge, contact Leslie Hynes at 425-551-1243, lhynes@firedistrict1.org. Input is encouraged and becomes public record.
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