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Ballot question

Skagit County Fire District 5 Proposition No. 1: levy lid lift (to $0.78 per $1,000)

On the ballot in
Skagit County Fire Protection District No. 5
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

The Board of Fire Commissioners of Skagit County Fire Protection District No. 5 (the "District"), adopted Resolution No. 2026-1 concerning a proposition to authorize the District's regular property tax levy. This measure would authorize a regular property tax levy of $0.78 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation in 2026 (for collection in 2027) and would authorize a limit factor of up to 103% (but not to exceed the $1.50 rate) for each of the five succeeding years. The maximum allowable levy in 2031, collected in 2032, shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by Chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be approved?

A “Yes” vote means

Fire District 5 could restore its levy to $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026 (for 2027) and raise its levy revenue up to 3% a year for the next five years.

A “No” vote means

Fire District 5's levy would not be restored to $0.78 per $1,000, and its revenue growth would stay under the usual 1% annual limit.

Official plain English statement

Skagit County Fire Protection District No. 5 (the "District") seeks voter approval to restore its fire levy to $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2026 and to increase its annual revenue by an amount up to 3% in each of the five subsequent years. In the absence of voter approval, fire districts may only increase their annual revenue by 1% over the prior year. State law allows voters to expressly authorize a larger increase. This proposition would allow the District to exceed the limitation imposed by state law and to restore its levy in 2026 to $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This levy is the primary source of funding for emergency services provided by the District. Voter approval of Proposition No. 1 will provide funding for the District to continue providing fire and emergency medical services at existing levels.

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.