Fire Levy Lid Lift Information
How fire district services are funded
Our daily operations are funded through two voter-approved property tax levies. The fire levy is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy is $0.50 per $1,000. We appreciate your personal and financial support. Your investment makes it possible for us to respond quickly, protect lives and property, and serve our community every day.
Why levy rates decrease over time
Levy rates fall as property values rise in order to limit the fire district to roughly the same amount of revenue each year (plus any additional voter-approved amounts). This is called “levy erosion.” That’s why a fire district occasionally asks voters to consider a lid lift to restore levy rates to the amounts originally approved.
Growth increases demand for service
New homes and businesses increase property values, which drives the levy rate down further. This means BCFD4 must cover new development with less revenue than it costs to provide service.
Here is a general example: Voters approve a levy of $1.50 per $1,000 for fire service. A new housing development is added, and the combined assessed value of those homes lowers the rate to $1.25 per $1,000. This means the fire district must protect more homes while receiving less than the $1.50 per $1,000 originally approved to provide that service.
Costs to provide service continue to rise
BCFD4 voters returned the fire levy to $1.50 four years ago, and it has since fallen to $1.31 per $1,000. Growth has increased, as have the basic costs of providing service. In just one year, cyber security upgrades increased by 251%. Parts and maintenance for our emergency apparatus increased by 220%. Personal protective equipment for firefighters increased by 129%. Training costs have also risen substantially due to the increasing cost of equipment and materials used for hands-on firefighter training.
Maintaining emergency services for our community
The fire district is discussing whether to place a levy lid lift before voters during the August 4, 2026 primary election. If approved, funding could be used to cover higher costs outside the district’s control, hire six firefighters, replace an aging fire engine, and improve water rescue and fire/life safety prevention programs.
The $0.19 lid lift would cost the owner of a $350,000 property approximately $5.54 per month (or $66.50 per year).
Fire Chief Paul Carlyle welcomes your questions at 509-967-2945 ext. 4203 or [email protected].