EJFR Measures on February Ballot

East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) is primarily funded by local property taxes, comprising over 80 percent of revenues. Washington State law caps annual revenue growth at just one percent. However, the cost of providing emergency services is increasing faster due to

inflation. This difference creates an inflation gap that cannot be fixed by cutting services.

The 2026 budget committee reviewed over $1.8 million in requests for replacing aging

equipment, maintaining facilities, and training expenses. While EJFR’s strategic plan

prioritizes supporting the career and volunteer workforce with modern equipment, facilities, and training, the committee chose to postpone some needed expenditures.

The approved budget includes a $1.33 million structural operating deficit, reducing the

operating reserve fund to just a few months of operating expenses but keeping a $1 million emergency reserve intact.

EJFR will be financing two new fire engines and a new ambulance next year; however, the

debt service will remain at a healthy and manageable level of 3.6 percent.

As part of a responsible financial strategy, EJFR will ask voters in February to reset the levy rates for both Fire and EMS services to close this inflation gap and keep our service levels high. Levy lifts like this are necessary every three to five years to keep up with the rate of inflation while protecting capital accounts to fund urgent facility and equipment needs.

The proposed 2027 Fire Regular Levy rate is $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value,

and the proposed EMS Levy rate is $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This

represents a projected annual household increase of $150 per year for a property with an

assessed value of $600,000, and less for properties valued lower.

These measures will allow EJFR to maintain the high quality of emergency response our

community expects by funding the replacement of aging apparatus, supplying specialized

medical equipment, investing in quality training, maintaining facilities, and keeping qualified personnel.