A maintenance and operation levy for East Pierce Fire & Rescue appeared to be passing based on first-night election returns, topping the 60 percent favorable vote the fire district needs to win.
The proposed levy would raise $6.2 million total over 2013 and 2014.
East Pierce leaders say it would prevent cuts to staff and training in the 130-employee fire district. They say it would help make up for some of the revenue that’s been lost in the past several years as local property values have plunged.
The fire district serves about 85,000 people over 152 square miles and includes Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, Edgewood, Milton, South Prairie and Wilkeson.
District taxpayers now pay a total of $2 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire protection and emergency medical services. The levy would add an estimated 38 cents per $1,000 in 2013 and 43 cents per $1,000 in 2014.
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