Fire District 27 based in Fall City is asking voters to consider the renewal of a maintenance and operations (M&O) levy which expires at the end of this year. Slow growth, combined with recent annexations and the 1 percent tax levy limitation have suppressed available revenue, necessitating the levy request.

The M&O levy provides about 20 percent of annual district revenue and will be used to maintain the current staffing levels and service to the community. The district, when compared to neighboring agencies, has been operating with significantly fewer dollars for a number of years.

The levy request is $475,000 in each of the next four years, which is $50,000 higher per year than authorized by the expiring levy. The additional amount is needed to offset the rising cost of labor, goods and services.

The M&O levy renewal is estimated to increase the annual cost to taxpayers by about $5.60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation compared to the current 2016 levy rate. Please join me in support of this levy request by voting yes on King County Fire District No. 27 Proposition No. 1

Chris J Connor,

District resident since 1968,

Fire Chief since 1991