Primary Election Ballots Due Tuesday: Voters to Decide West Pierce Fire and Rescue Levy

Voters in the West Pierce Fire District have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6 to turn in their ballots that will determine significant funding for the local fire department. 

West Pierce Fire and Rescue, which covers the communities of University Place and Lakewood, has requested $22.3 million over two years to fund 38 percent of the fire district’s operating budget, to avoid staffing cuts or a reduction in service.

This levy would cost the average homeowner in the district about $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed home value in 2014 and 2015.

The fire district last approved a 2-year fire levy in 2011 for $17.9 million, which funded approximately 25 percent of the district's operating budget in 2012 and 2013.

Since 2011, the overall assessed valuation of Lakewood and University Place properties has dropped 15.8 percent, bringing fire department tax revenues to their lowest levels in 6 years.

"Our biggest struggle, like everyone, is facing the declining economy. While this is a larger levy request than last time, it is not just to drive up an increase in cost, but to offset decline," WPFR Chief Jim Sharp told Patch in a recent interview. "The assessed property value in the district has dropped a lot more than we projected during the last levy request."

While tightening belts, keeping up with the "highly urban" nature of Lakewood and UP is a constant challenge, said Sharp.

"We have a high call volume, compared to assessed value," said Sharp. "We respond to approximately 14,000 calls per year in the second- and fourth-largest cities in the county. That's what drives our service needs."

You can view more information on the levy in the Pierce County Elections online voters guide. 

Will you support the West Pierce Fire & Rescue maintenance and operations levy in tomorrow's election? Tell us in the comments.