All six fire ballot measures on track to pass in Tuesday’s primary
All fire district ballot measures were on track to pass as of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally in the primary election.
Five out of six measures aim to reinstate regular property tax levies and lift the levy lid within the specific district or agency. McLane Black Lake Fire Department aims to collect an excess levy for maintenance and operations, and is the only district that requires a supermajority of 60% to pass its ballot measure.
Lacey Fire District No. 3
As of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally, the ballot measure for Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 3 in Lacey is on track to pass with 68.8% of voters supporting it.
The ballot measure restores the fire district’s regular property tax levy to an amount not to exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value for collection in 2024. It also lifts the current levy lid, setting a new limit factor for annual levy rate collection between 2025 and 2029 up to 106%.
The last time District 3 voters approved a restoration of the tax levy was in 2020. Since then, the rate has fallen to $1.16 per $1,000. Passage of the levy will allow Lacey Fire to fund growing needs among the population, adding 12 new firefighters/EMTs to staff an additional aid unit and funding public education.
Thurston County Fire District No. 6 (East Olympia)
As of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally, the ballot measure for Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 6 in East Olympia is on track to pass with 62.8% of voters supporting it.
The ballot measure restores the fire district’s regular property tax levy to an amount not to exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2024. It also lifts the current levy lid, setting a new limit factor for annual levy rate collection between 2025 and 2029 up to 106%.
The district’s current levy rate is $1.22 per $1,000 of assessed value. Last year, the fire district responded to 28% more emergencies, subsequently allocating more funds toward diesel and staffing. The levy restoration will provide additional funding for fire protection and EMS.
Thurston County Fire District No. 8 (South Bay)
As of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally, the ballot measure for Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 8 in South Bay is on track to pass with 63.1% of voters supporting it.
The ballot measure restores the fire district’s regular property tax levy to an amount not to exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2024. It also lifts the current levy lid, setting a new limit factor for annual levy rate collection in upcoming years to 106%.
The district’s current levy rate is $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. In light of rising costs and increased service call rates, the department will put new funds toward staffing, training, materials and other operational costs.
Thurston County Fire District No. 9 (McLane Black Lake)
As of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally, the ballot measure for Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 9 in McLane Black Lake is on track to pass with 68.8% of voters supporting it. This ballot measure requires a supermajority of 60% to pass.
The proposition will renew the maintenance and operations levy, collecting an excess levy ranging from about $0.79 to $0.84 per $1,000 of assessed value over the next four years, starting in 2024.
Voters previously approved the levy in 2015 and 2019. The levy will help maintain current levels of service, funding response reliability and equipment and facility management.
Southeast Thurston Fire Authority
As of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally, the ballot measure for Southeast Thurston Fire Authority is on track to pass with 59.4% of voters supporting it.
The ballot measure restores the fire authority’s regular property tax levy to an amount not to exceed the rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2024. It also lifts the current levy lid, setting a new limit factor for annual levy rate collection between 2025 and 2029 up to 106%.
A rise in costs for basic expenses, alongside an increased number of aid calls, means the levy, if passed, will help the authority maintain staffing for fire protection and EMS, and upkeep maintenance and operations.
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority
As of Tuesday night’s initial vote tally, the ballot measure for West Thurston Regional Fire Authority is on track to pass with 61.6% of voters supporting it.
The ballot measure restores the fire authority’s regular property tax levy to an amount not to exceed the rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2024. It also lifts the current levy lid, setting a new limit factor for annual levy rate collection in upcoming years to 106%.
The levy was last restored in 2008. In 2024, statutory limitations would have lowered the levy to $0.87 per $1,000. So far, this vote means the authority will continue to support staffing numbers and response times.
