WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Whatcom County Fire District 1 Board of Commissioners recently approved placing a levy lid lift measure on the August 4, 2026, primary election ballot.
The district covers 106 square miles and serves Deming, Everson, Nooksack, and the Nooksack Indian Tribe. District personnel respond to 1,200 emergency calls annually, which represents a 60% increase over the past 10 years according to a recent press release.
Washington State law limits levy revenue growth to 1% annually. Voters approved the last district levy lid lift in 2021 at a rate of $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The rate has decreased to $1.12 per $1,000.
The ballot measure authorizes a property tax levy rate of $1.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value for collection in 2027. The measure allows annual adjustments of up to 6% for 9 additional years under RCW 84.55.050.
District officials stated that levy funding applies to the following.
- emergency medical response
- fire suppression and rescue services
- firefighter and EMT staffing
- training and certifications
- apparatus and emergency equipment
- station operations and maintenance
- fuel, utilities, and insurance
- community safety and preparedness programs
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