Washougal voters will be asked to continue supporting the city’s emergency medical services program this August.
The city will put a six-year replacement property tax levy measure on the Aug. 17 ballot.
If passed, the levy would assess 50 cents per $1,000 of value — the same rate as the expiring six-year levy — to residents’ property taxes. Owners of a home with an assessed value of $200,000 would pay $100 per year.
It needs 60 percent voter approval to pass.
The current levy will generate $611,871 for 2010 and the replacement is expected to bring in similar amounts each year during its life, said RJ Stevenson, Washougal’s interim finance director. The total collected could increase by 1 percent each year if assessed home values increase, plus any future construction, he said.
The money generated by the levy is used in three ways. First, the money helps maintain 24/7 paramedic service with the Camas Fire Department. The city of Washougal contracts with Camas for the ambulance service, which includes a station in Washougal, Fire Chief Ron Schumacher said.
Levy revenue also provides funding for two Washougal firefighters to ensure the department meets the minimum staffing guideline of two firefighters on duty at all times, Schumacher said.
And finally, revenue is used to provide emergency medical services training for all paid and volunteer firefighters and to help cover the costs of EMS equipment, he said.
“We believe it’s money well spent,” Schumacher said.
The levy was first passed by voters in 1978, and voters have never rejected the measure, he said. Should the measure fail this August, city officials are prepared to ask voters for approval again in November.
Without levy funding, Schumacher said, the Camas Fire Department might increase its ambulance rates for Washougal citizens or end its agreement with the city. The Washougal department would struggle to maintain the two firefighter positions the levy funds and would cut spending on training and equipment, he said.
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.
