Dear Editor,

We would like to thank voters for participating in the recent fire levy lid lift election for Snohomish County Fire District 7. The results were not what we had hoped for, but we understand why the outcome was as it was.

We had asked property owners to pass a lid lift for six years at the previously approved rate of $1.50/$1,000 of assessed property value. The purpose of the 6-year lid lift was to have a stable revenue source based on projected call volumes. Our community said no; they want a simple lid lift for one year.

We will be back on the November ballot asking for a simple one-year lid lift request. This would return the fire levy from $1.36 to $1.50/$1,000. The 14-cent increase would last for one year and be $63 for the owner of a $450,000 home.

Call volumes continue to increase, and the cost to respond to calls is based on this demand for service.
If there are other issues you would like to share, I am open to hearing them. Please contact me at gmeek@snofire7.org or (360) 794-7666. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Gary Meek, Fire Chief
Snohomish County Fire District 7