2014-2019 Medic One/EMS levy planning process
Our Medic One/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system provides essential life saving services to the people in Seattle and King County. With an international reputation for innovation and excellence, the King County Medic One/EMS system offers uniform medical care regardless of location, incident circumstances, day of the week, or time of day. It has the highest reported survival rates in the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients across the nation.The Medic One/EMS system is funded with a 6-year EMS levy. The current levy rate of $.30 per $1,000 of Assessed Value (AV) was approved by voters of King County in November 2007 and began collection in January 2008. This 30-cent levy rate means that a family of a $400,000 home pays $120 a year for Medic One services. The current EMS levy expires on December 31, 2013. Therefore, a reauthorization of the EMS levy is necessary to provide a seamless transition into the new levy period. Under state law, the levy can be reauthorized for 6 years, 10 years, or for an indefinite amount of time, at a maximum rate of $.50 per $1,000 AV. Historically, King County has never exceeded $.30 per $1,000 AV, and the average length of each levy has been 6 years.
Prior to being placed on the ballot for voter approval, the Medic One/EMS 2014-2019 Strategic Plan and recommended EMS levy rate must be approved by the councils of all cities over 50,000 in population and the King County Council. There are nine cities over 50,000, including Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, Kirkland, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, and Shoreline. Representatives from each of the nine cities are serving on the EMS Advisory Task Force.
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