Explanatory Statement

Proposition No. 1

Kittitas County Fire Protection District No. 7 provides emergency fire protection and medical services to its citizens. If approved by the voters, this proposition authorizes the Fire District to restore its regular real property tax levy rate to $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2025 for collection in 2026. The voters previously approved the $1.25 rate in 2022, and the current levy is approximately $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. 

Your Fire District Board of Commissioners has determined that approval of this proposition is necessary to maintain an effective level of fire protection and emergency medical services, fire fighter staffing, equipment and facilities in light of the increasing demands for such services.

The dollar amount levied in 2025 shall serve as the fire department’s tax levy base and absent further voter approval, the tax levy will then be subject to the statutory limit.

GENERAL INFORMATION: 

On the August 5, 2025 primary ballot, the Board of Fire Commissioners is requesting taxpayers consider renewing the District 7 fire levy to the rate of $1.25 per $1000 of assessed property evaluation.  This same levy rate was approved by the voters on prior ballot measures; if approved, this change would take effect in 2026.

The additional funding would support the Fire Chief’s plan to hire three additional full-time firefighter/EMTs, order a new type-1 fire engine, and then open Station 76 on Firehouse Road off Bullfrog Road as a full-time station staffed with career firefighters.

 A third full-time station is expected to improve staffed response by 33%.

Station 76 is centrally located to the other two full-time fire stations serving the 126 square mile District: (Station 72 at Airport Road to the east and Station 73 at Golf Course Road to the west).  Station 76 has existing crew quarters and is also the location of the fire training tower.

Station 76 currently also has the second busiest call volume, houses the only ladder truck in Upper County, and serves the Cle Elum-Roslyn Schools complex. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Q: Why does the District keep going out for a levy?

A: Under state law, District tax revenues are capped at 1% growth per year, therefore each year as assessed values grow, the levy rate typically drops over time.  Keeping up with inflation or expanding service requires District 7 to ask for the support of taxpayers on a levy ballot measure.

Q: What is the current levy rate?

A: The 2025 District 7 levy rate is $1.12.

Q: If the levy is re-set or lifted back to $1.25, how much would this cost me?

A: On a $500,000 home the increase would be about $65 for 2026.

Q: If approved, when would this levy rate take effect?

A: The $1.25 levy rate would take effect for taxes collected in 2026.

Q: How much can a fire district request in a fire levy?

A: The maximum amount under state law is $1.50 per $1000 in assessed property value; voters have previously approved $1.25. 

Q: What does the fire levy need to pass or fail?

A: The levy must be approved by a simple majority vote to pass.

Q: Why was Station 76 selected to be opened 24/7 with full-time firefighter/EMTs?

A: This station already has existing crew quarters on site and serves the second busiest call volume in District 7.  It also houses the only ladder truck in Upper County which currently responds only when a volunteer or full-time firefighter goes to the station to retrieve it. 

Being centrally located on Firehouse Road, firefighter/EMTs from Station 76 can respond east or west to assist in a response from Station 72 or Station 73, as well as north to the service area along Lake Cle Elum or south toward the Peoh Point area. 

Station 76 on Firehouse Road at Bullfrog Road offers direct access to Interstate 90 as well as State Route 903, including the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District complex nearby which is served by District 7.

Q: With the fire training tower being built at Station 76 (with the generous donations of the non-profit Life Support) how will opening this station impact it?

A: The intent of the training tower is to provide ongoing “live-fire” experience and training to all firefighters in Upper County.  Not only would Station 76 be staffed 24/7 to respond to emergencies, but it would also become a training center for firefighters and agencies in our area.

While not on calls or details, the District 7 firefighter/EMTs at Station 76 can assist with providing training and support at the fire tower; the facility would have the opportunity to be available more often with full-time personnel on site.

Q: How will opening this station full-time impact the WSRB rating used by insurance companies?

A: According to WSRB rating criteria, a staffed station is expected to positively impact the overall fire rating used by insurance companies, particularly in the station’s response area. 

Q: How would a third staffed fire station change the service from District 7?

A: A third full-time station is expected to increase staffed response by 33%.