TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Fire |
Adrian Sheppard, Fire Chief |
425-556-2201 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Fire |
Jim Whitney |
Deputy Fire Chief |
|
Fire |
Amy Moorhead |
Medical Services Administrator |
TITLE:
title
City Resolution to Renew King County Medic One/EMS Levy (2026-2031)
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The City Council is requested to approve a resolution supporting the renewal of the Medic One/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy on the November 4, 2025, King County election ballot. This six-year property tax levy would set a countywide rate of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for the 2026-2031 period.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
o Redmond's Fire Department Strategic Plan for 2022-2027
o Redmond Fire Department’s Community Risk Assessment & Standards of Cover for 2022-2027
• Required:
RCW 84.52.069
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
The City Council previously approved a resolution supporting the 2020-2025 King County Medic One/Emergency Medical Services levy on June 4, 2019. The levy was later approved by voters in the November 2019 election at a rate of 26.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
OUTCOMES:
To place a countywide EMS levy on the ballot, state law requires that the County Council and at least 75% of all cities exceeding a population of 50,000 approve placing a countywide EMS proposal on the ballot. The City of Redmond is one of 11 cities in King County with a population over 50,000.
The proposed resolution provides the cities’ support for submitting to the voters in 2025 a countywide ballot proposition for a six-year Medic One/EMS Levy at a rate of 25 cents per one thousand dollars of assessed value to provide stable and long-term funding for the countywide Medic One/EMS program for 2026-2031.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
A resolution supporting an EMS levy for 2026-2031 must be approved by King County and 75% of cities with a population exceeding 50,000 for the levy to be placed on the ballot. King County EMS requested cities to adopt Resolutions in support of placing the EMS Levy on the November 2025 ballot by the end of June. The King County Council must approve placing the levy on the November 2025 ballot by July 8th or they must abide by exceptional processing requirements (such as emergency clauses and a super-majority vote).
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
A rate of 25-cents per $1,000 of assessed value for 2026-2031.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
277
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
2026-2031 Medic One/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
6/4/2019 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
4/1/2025 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
The current EMS levy expires at the end of 2025.
A resolution supporting an EMS levy for 2026-2031 must be approved by King County and 75% of cities with a population exceeding 50,000 for the levy to be placed on the ballot. King County EMS requested cities to adopt Resolutions in support of placing the EMS Levy on the November 2025 ballot by the end of June. The King County Council must approve placing the levy on the November 2025 ballot by July 8th or they must abide by exceptional processing requirements (such as emergency clauses and a super- majority vote).
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Limited or discontinued funding for several essential services that the City of Redmond provides to its community and the broader region.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 2026-2031 EMS Levy Resolution (draft)
Attachment B: Redmond City Council Presentation
Attachment C: Background Information | 2026-31 Levy