Voters to Decide Futures of Two East Pierce County, WA, Fire Departments

Apr. 9—Ballots are arriving. East Pierce County voters will decide the future of two local fire and rescue groups.

Voters must drop off their ballots by 8 p.m. April 23.

The Pierce County Auditor's Office will release election results around 8:15 p.m. April 23, 4 p.m. April 24, 4 p.m. April 25 and noon May 3.

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue levy

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue is asking voters to restore its regular fire levy rate to $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Doing so would allow the fire district to maintain "fast, effective fire and emergency medical responses," according to the fire district's website.

If this measure passes, a homeowner of a $550,000 home would pay an additional $12 per month. A simple majority is required to pass the measure.

The current regular fire levy rate is 73 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The taxpayer money would help renovate Station 62 at 1410 Brookdale Road E. in Parkland and Station 66 at 9813 128th St. E. in South Hill. It would also help open a new station at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup that would be staffed year-round. It would also help refurbish seven fire engines and three ladder trucks, according to the website.

The regular fire levy helps fund fire district salaries, vehicle maintenance and new buildings, among other things. In 2024 about 29 percent of the district's revenue came from the levy, according to the website. The rest came from other voter-approved revenues, grants and fees.

If the measure fails, the fire district would have a revenue shortfall of $12.5 million in 2025. The district might have to reassess its service levels, facilities and staffing, according to the website.

The fire district has 356 firefighters and paramedics. They serive about 256,000 residents in Puyallup, Spanaway, Parkland, Midland, Elk Plain and Orting.

East Pierce Fire & Rescue levy

East Pierce Fire & Rescue is asking voters to restore its fire levy rate to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Doing so would "provide sustainable funding for District operations and emergency response," according to the voters' pamphlet.

If this measure passes, a homeowner of a $500,000 home would pay an additional $17 per month. A simple majority is required to pass the measure.

The current fire levy rate is $1.09 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Taxpayer money would help pay for two additional response units and staffing for two additional fire stations, according to the fire district's website. It would also help retain firefighters as 12 of them are supported by a federal grant that will expire in 2026.

In 2024 about 60 percent of the fire district's revenue came from the fire levy. The rest came from the emergency medical services levy, facilities and equipment bond, fees and a grant, among other sources.

The fire levy and emergency medical services levy help pay for salaries, equipment, fuel, utilities and administrative support, according to the website.

If the measure fails, the fire district will have a revenue shortfall. The district might try to propose the measure again, or it might reduce its services or staffing, according to the website.

East Pierce Fire Chief Jon Parkinson wrote in an email that the fire district could have a revenue shortfall of about $152,000 by 2025, $3,051,000 by 2026 and $4,742,000 by 2027.

The fire district serves over 100,000 residents. The district covers Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, South Prairie, Tehaleh, Edgewood, Milton and parts of unincorporated Pierce County.

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