Proposition 1 – Regular Fire Levy
About Proposition 1
On the April 23, 2024 ballot, Proposition 1 asks voters to restore the Regular Fire Levy to its original rate of $1 per $1,000 assessed value (AV). The Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (CPFR) Commissioners unanimously voted to place this measure before the voters.
The Regular Fire Levy is one of CPFR’s largest revenue sources. Restoring the levy will allow CPFR to maintain fast, effective fire and emergency medical responses for our residents now and into the future.
Safeguarding Our Growing Community
At CPFR, our mission is to serve with honor and commitment and work hard to accommodate the growing communities we serve. 356 firefighters and paramedics protect roughly 108 square miles of central Pierce County, covering the communities of Puyallup, Spanaway, Parkland, Midland, Elk Plain, and Orting from 15 stations staffed 24/7.
Keeping up with growth:
- Our district’s population has grown 17.42% over the last 10 years, which exceeded the national, state & county rate.
- The projected population growth for the next 10 years in Pierce County and the fire district are anticipated to be much higher than the national average.
- Call volume has increased by 17.62% over the last five years.
With call volumes increasing since 2020, fire and emergency medical services are as critical as ever. We responded to 36,122 emergency calls, averaging 98 daily responses in 2023 alone.
No New Taxes, Continued Fiscal Responsibility
The Regular Fire Levy is not a new tax. Proposition 1 seeks to restore the rate to its original $1 per $1,000 AV initially passed in 2019.
State law limits the yearly growth in CPFR’s total property tax revenue collection to a maximum of 1% over the amount collected in the prior year, plus the value of new construction. As property values have risen, the rate of the Regular Fire Levy has dropped.
CPFR is dedicated to being a good steward of taxpayer-funded resources. We strive to be efficient with public dollars by repurposing existing resources including:
- Renovating and reopening Station 62, located in the Brookdale community;
- Renovating Station 66 with an estimated in-service date at the end of 2024;
- Reacquiring the North Puyallup and Shaw Road stations from the City of Puyallup;
- Partnering with the Washington State Fair to open a new station 73, anticipated to be complete by 2028-2029; and
- Refurbishing seven fire engines and three ladder trucks, extending their service life and capabilities rather than purchase new vehicles.
Learn more about CPFR’s commitment to sustainability and financial responsibility by watching this short video from Fire Chief Dustin Morrow.
How To Vote
- Register to vote or track your ballot at VoteWA.gov
- For election information, visit www.piercecountywa.gov/328/Elections
- Pierce County Ballot Drop Box Locations
Ballots Due April 23, 2024
FAQs
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Why is CPFR proposing Proposition 1 on the April special election?
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Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (CPFR) is asking voters to restore its Regular Fire Levy rate to $1 per $1,000 assessed value (AV) on the April 2024 ballot to maintain high-quality service levels for its residents now and into the future. State law limitations, inflation and population growth mean operational expenses are outpacing revenues. Proposition 1 aims to restore needed funding to maintain fire and emergency medical response service levels in our growing and changing communities.
The Regular Fire Levy is a vital source of revenue to fund our operations (salaries, fuel, vehicle maintenance, etc.) and capital assets (new buildings and fire vehicles).
CPFR works hard to accommodate the growing communities we serve. 356 firefighters and paramedics protect roughly 108 square miles of central Pierce County, covering the communities of Puyallup, Spanaway, Parkland, Midland, Elk Plain, and Orting from 15 fully staffed stations. In 2023, we responded to 36,122 emergency calls, averaging 98 emergency responses per day.
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How are CPFR’s services funded?
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CPFR’s fire and emergency medical services are funded by a mix of voter-approved revenues as well as grants and fees. In 2024, 29.4% of our funding comes from the Regular Fire Levy.
CPFR’s two other primary funding sources are the Fire Benefit Charge (34.9% of CPFR funding) and EMS Levy (20.1% of CPFR funding). Our three-pronged funding strategy (Regular Fire Levy, FBC and EMS Levy) allows us to allocate costs considering what it costs to provide public safety services to a specific property, not just based on the value of that property. A mix of revenue sources also ensures a more stable and reliable revenue stream to provide reliable service to the community.
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What accountability measures are in place to ensure Regular Fire Levy funds are used appropriately?
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CPFR has several measures in place to ensure accountability for the use of Regular Fire Levy funds. These funds are a critical part of our budget and support fire suppression and emergency medical services. The funds are also applied to building maintenance and the replacement and repair of fire vehicles. To view our adopted budgets and annual reports, please visit https://www.centralpiercefire.org/about-us/finance/.
CPFR has been responsible with taxpayer funds by leveraging and repurposing existing resources:
- Renovating and reopening Station 62, located in the Brookdale community;
- Renovating Station 66 with an estimated in-service date at the end of 2024;
- Reacquiring the North Puyallup and Shaw Road stations from the City of Puyallup;
- Partnering with the Washington State Fair to open a new station 73 anticipated to be complete by 2028-2029; and
- Refurbishing seven fire engines and three ladder trucks, extending their service life and capabilities without the costs of purchasing new equipment.
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Is the Regular Fire Levy a new tax?
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No, voters have consistently renewed the Regular Fire Levy over time. Voters last approved the Regular Fire Levy in 2019.
State law limits the yearly growth in CPFR’s total property tax revenue collection to a maximum of 1% over the amount collected in the prior year, plus the value of new construction. As property values have risen, the rate of the Regular Fire Levy has dropped.
Currently, CPFR’s Regular Fire Levy is at $0.73 per $1,000 AV. Proposition 1 seeks to restore the rate to its original $1 per $1,000 AV.
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What is the Regular Fire Levy, and what does it pay for?
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In Washington state, fire districts and other local governments (such as cities, schools, etc.) regularly depend on voter-approved property taxes as a primary source of revenue.
Proposition 1 is a local voter-approved property tax. Revenue from the Regular Fire Levy funds CPFR fire and emergency medical response services. Finances go towards firefighting equipment, personnel salaries, training, as well as fire station construction, new fire vehicles and major maintenance.
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Why does the Regular Fire Levy rate decrease over time?
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State law caps annual increases in total property tax collection to just 1% more than the previous year, plus the value of new construction. As property values have risen in recent years, your fire levy rate has gone down to fit within this rule.
While voters last approved a rate of $1 per $1,000 AV in 2019, it’s now at $0.73 in 2024. The 1% per year growth in revenue collection from the Regular Fire Levy hasn’t kept pace with inflation and the costs to provide fire and emergency medical response services to our growing community.
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What happens if Proposition 1 is not approved?
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If rejected, CPFR will face a projected revenue shortfall of $12.5 million. This could potentially lead to a reassessment of service levels, facilities, and staffing.
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How is the Regular Fire Levy calculated and how Proposition 1 would impact me?
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Property taxes in Pierce County are determined by the Assessed Value (AV) of a property as established by the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer. A levy rate is then applied, which is expressed as a certain dollar amount per $1,000 of AV. It is collected as part of, and along with, your regular property tax payment through the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Office.
If approved by voters, the Regular Fire Levy will be restored to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. This would cost the average Pierce County homeowner an additional $11.74 per month (based on a home with an assessed value of $521,649). Below are additional examples of approximate costs based on a range of home values.
Home Assessed Value 2024 Fire Levy Rate ($0.73/$1,000 A.V.) Proposed 2025 Fire Levy Rate ($1.00/$1,000 A.V.) Annual Difference Monthly Difference $350,000 $255.50 $350.00 $94.50 $7.88 $450,000 $328.50 $450.00 $121.50 $10.13 $550,000 $401.50 $550.00 $148.50 $12.38 $650,000 $474.50 $650.00 $175.50 $14.63 $750,000 $547.50 $750.00 $202.50 $16.88 -
Will property tax discounts still be available for low-income seniors and disabled property owners?
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Yes. Those who qualify for property tax discounts (under RCW 84.36.381 through 84.36.389) will continue to be eligible for those discounts under this measure.
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How can I learn more?
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Thanks for reviewing this important information about Proposition 1. If you still have questions or would like to request a presentation from Chief Morrow, please email firelevy@centralpiercefire.org or call 253-538-6400