Editor's note: This story has been updated since initial publication, to reflect that North Mason's levy was approved when votes from both Kitsap and Mason counties were tallied.
Five fire and rescue agencies in Kitsap and North Mason proposed measures on Tuesday's primary ballot, each seeking approval for a property tax levy to fund fire and/or emergency medical services.
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue and Poulsbo Fire Department both asked voters to renew existing EMS levies, which were approved, while Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Bremerton Fire Department, and North Mason Regional Fire Authority all proposed levy increases.
Initial returns from the Kitsap County Auditor indicated that the Central Kitsap, North Kitsap, Poulsbo, and Bremerton measures all passed. North Mason's measure also appeared to pass, according to returns from the Mason County Auditor .
Below is a complete list of initial results for the five propositions, as of 8 p.m. on election night.
Prop. 1: Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue fire levy lift
Central Kitsap was one of two Kitsap agencies asking voters to approve a levy lift on the primary ballot. On Tuesday, voters appeared to approve a fire levy rate increase that will raise the existing levy from $1.34 to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, or up to 6 percent of assessed value, whichever is greater.
According to initial counts, 55.7% (5,196) of voters voted yes on the measure, while 44.1% (4,138) voted no.
Voters last approved the levy at a rate of $1.50 in 2019. Property values rose following the approval, and the total amount an agency may collect through a fire levy is capped at 1 percent growth per year.
Central Kitsap has been busy this year, and revenue from the levy will be used to fund up to six more firefighters, which will allow the agency to staff two new fire stations in Lake Symington and Seabeck, increasing its number of career stations from five to seven.
Prop. 1: North Kitsap Fire and Rescue EMS levy replacement
North Kitsap had proposed an EMS levy that would replace but not increase the agency's current levy, which will expire in 2025. The proposed levy appeared to pass Tuesday night, with 77.2% of voters (2,268) voting yes and 22.8% (670) voting no. The levy will continue to tax properties in the fire district at a rate of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
According to North Kitsap fire chief Rick LaGrandeur, revenue from the renewed levy will fund ambulances, medical supplies, and personnel costs.
Prop. 1: Poulsbo Fire Department EMS levy replacement
Poulsbo's ballot measure had also asked voters to replace an existing EMS levy at a rate of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Early returns showed that 74% (2,842) of voters voted yes on the measure, with 26% (996) voting no.
Poulsbo Fire has seen an 18 percent increase in call volume this year, according to Poulsbo fire chief Jim Gillard. Revenue from the levy will go toward EMS training and equipment.
Prop. 1: Bremerton Fire Department EMS levy lift
The Bremerton Fire Department had asked voters to raise the agency's existing EMS levy from $0.36 to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. State law allows for a maximum EMS levy rate of $0.50.
Voters appeared to pass the measure, with 64% (2,393) of voters voting yes and 36% (1,343) voting no according to 8 p.m. results Tuesday night.
Prop. 1: North Mason Regional Authority EMS levy lift
The regional fire authority in North Mason had asked voters to remove the district's limitation on regular property taxes and restore a levy at a rate of $1.11 per $1,000 of assessed value.
As of 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, the measure appeared to pass. North Mason is split between Kitsap and Mason Counties. In Kitsap, 43.1% (22) of voters voted yes according to the auditor's initial results, while 56.86% (29) voted no. In Mason County, 65.3% (1,492) of voters voted yes, while 34.7% (794) voted no.
The auditor's office will continue to tally results, and the votes will officially be certified at 9 a.m. on August 20.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: All 5 fire agencies' ballot measures appear to pass
Local News
