The current Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy expires at the end of 2016 and is the primary funding source for emergency medical services in the City of Mill Creek.
The City’s permanent EMS levy ballot measure fell short of the 60-percent supermajority required. The ballot measure is currently at 55.59% approved (which is 2,437 yes votes out of 4,384 total votes counted). Based on the voting to date, the City does not believe that the uncounted ballots will provide the required 60% voter approval. Under Washington state law, permanent EMS levies need to earn 60% or better of all ballots cast. The EMS levy is used for paramedics, emergency medical personnel and their life-saving equipment. By state law, the EMS levy can be used only for emergency medical services; meaning 100% of the City’s levy is used for local EMS service.
The City will put a new EMS levy ballot measure before voters in the November general election. It will be a 6 year levy beginning in 2017 through 2022. The City is seeking a levy rate of $.50 cents per every $1,000 of property valuation. That measure will also require a 60% supermajority vote since the proposed levy rate will be increasing from $.45 cents to $.50 cents per $1,000 property valuation.