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Ballot question

City of Longview Proposition 1: levy lid lift for fire and emergency medical services (+$1.15 per $1,000)

On the ballot in
City of Longview
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

The City Council of the City of Longview adopted Resolution No. 2624 concerning funding response time improvements for fire and emergency medical services. This proposition would support emergency, fire, and medical response services, including funding for hiring paramedic/EMT firefighters, replacing aging equipment, building an additional fire station facility, purchasing a fire engine, and funding operational functions necessary for emergency services and improving response times. The proposition would increase the regular property tax rate by $1.15 per $1,000 of assessed valuation beginning in 2027, and the voter-approved 2027 levy would become the base for future levy-limit calculations under RCW 84.55. Should this proposition be approved?

A “Yes” vote means

Longview's regular property tax rate would rise by $1.15 per $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2027 for fire and emergency medical services.

A “No” vote means

Longview's regular property tax levy would stay under its current limit, without this increase for fire and emergency medical services.

Official plain English statement

The Longview City Council passed Resolution No. 2624 to allow voters to decide whether to increase the City of Longview's regular property tax levy to support fire and emergency medical response services. Emergency call volumes in the city have increased over time. The two existing fire stations were built in 1975 and 1979. The City has identified needs related to emergency response staffing, life safety equipment replacement, prevention and community risk reduction services, and additional fire stations to provide emergency services. If approved, the measure would increase the City's regular property tax rate by $1.15 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2027. The levy amount collected in 2027 would become the base for calculating future levy limits under state law. This is a levy lid lift under RCW 84.55. It does not create a new separate tax but changes the maximum amount the City may collect through its regular property tax levy. Revenue from the measure would be used for the purposes identified in the ballot title and resolution, including hiring additional firefighter paramedics/emergency medical technicians (EMTs), a prevention specialist, and an administrative officer; replacing aging emergency response and life safety equipment; purchasing another fire engine with additional staffing; building an additional fire station facility; and supporting operational functions needed to provide emergency medical, fire suppression, and prevention services. These purposes are intended to address response times, daily staffing, and community risk.

Sources

The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.