The Gist
Home

Ballot question

West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Proposition 1: one-year fire and EMS levy ($1.55 million, 2027)

On the ballot in
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority (Rochester & Littlerock)
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

West Thurston Regional Fire Authority (Rochester & Littlerock) Proposition No. 1 Property Tax for Fire Maintenance and Operations The Board of Commissioners of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority adopted Resolution No. 2026-005 concerning a proposition to finance maintenance and operation expenses. This proposition, if approved, will authorize the Authority to levy, without regard to the dollar rate and percentage limitations imposed by Chapter 84.52 RCW, a property tax upon all taxable property within the Authority's boundaries of: Collection Year: 2027 Approximate Levy Rate/$1,000 of Assessed Value: $0.36 Levy Amount: $1,547,228 to be used for maintenance and operations and to maintain the current level of fire services and emergency medical services as provided in Resolution No. 2026-005. Should this proposition be approved?

A “Yes” vote means

Authorizes a one-year property tax of $1,547,228 (about $0.36 per $1,000 of assessed value) collected in 2027 for the authority's fire and emergency medical services.

A “No” vote means

Rejects the extra levy; the authority would not collect the $1,547,228 in 2027.

Official plain English statement

The board of fire commissioners of the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority (Authority) is placing an excess levy on November 3, 2026, general-election ballot. If this proposal is approved by the voters, the Authority will be authorized to levy the sum of $1,547,228.00 in excess of the Authority's regular property taxes. This excess levy is authorized by the Washington Constitution and RCW 84.52.052. The excess levy would be collected in 2027. The Authority is experiencing apparatus failures, facility water system replacement, and an aging fleet, in addition to continued increases in the daily cost of providing services to the community. The excess levy will enable the Authority to address facility, fleet and equipment failures, and maintain current service levels to the community. If the levy is approved, the maximum cost increase to a home with an assessed value of $500,000 would be $15.00 monthly, for fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS). Explanatory Statement Prepared By: Eric Quinn Attorney for the Authority

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.