**EMS Saves Lives**
Continue to Fund Emergency Medical Services
The North Mason Regional Fire Authority (NMRFA) has always prided itself on delivering excellent emergency medical services (EMS). NMRFA Paramedics and EMTs are on call 24-hours a day, responding to medical and trauma emergencies that threaten the lives of our citizens.
The Authority’s EMS services are financially supported by an EMS property tax levy of 41 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This EMS levy generates $840,000 in annual revenue to provide these EMS services. The state of Washington mandates that continuation of an EMS levy be voter-approved every six years, in order to ensure that local citizens continue to receive valued and quality EMS service. An EMS levy has been in place for over 35 years and has been continually renewed by North Mason voters. The Authority’s existing EMS levy, last approved in 2014, is currently collected at a rate of 41 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for the year 2020. This levy is set to expire at the end of this year.
On August 4th the NMRFA is asking voters to approve a six-year continuation of the current EMS levy at the exact same collection rate of 41 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, with NO increase and NO built in levy escalators that exceed state law limitations on property tax levies. The 2020 EMS levy costs the owner of a $250,000 home $102.50 per year ($8.54 per month). Continuation of the EMS levy will cost $102.50 per year for the same $250,000 home, with NO increase. EMS levy funding will continue to be used for the sole purpose of supporting your local paramedic and EMT services. If passed, this will allow the Authority to continue to provide the services essential to saving lives.
The North Mason Community’s medical needs are much different than those in an urban city, because of the large geographic area and distance to the nearest hospital emergency room. Additionally, when combined with a growing and aging population, increased traffic and elevated use of the EMS system as the sole means to accessing even basic medical care, our EMS plays a much larger role in providing medical care of all types. We are proud to report that these changing medical needs are being met by your emergency medical professionals and volunteers at the NMRFA. With your support, we will continue to meet these and other new challenges well into the future.
PLEASE VOTE ON AUGUST 4TH!
If you have any questions about the EMS levy continuation request or any matters pertaining to the North Mason Regional Fire Authority, please contact Fire Chief Beau Bakken at 360-275-6711 ext. 200 or by email.
For additional information, click on the link below:
A message from North Mason Regional Fire Authority Captain Jordan Reese explaining the importance of our EMS levy continuation request and why we need your support.