Like many of your friends and neighbors in South Kitsap, we support a “Yes” vote on the Renewal of Emergency Medical Services Levy. We appreciate the opportunity to share some facts pertaining to why this renewal is necessary to continue the current level of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in South Kitsap.

First off, this levy is a renewal of the current EMS property tax, which we have renewed on a consistent basis since 1976. The EMS tax is based on a property’s assessed valuation at 50 cents per $1,000. So to put that in perspective, the estimated yearly cost for a $200,000 home would be $100 per year and a $300,000 home would pay $150 per year. To clarify, this is not a new tax nor is there an increase in tax rate so it will have an insignificant, net-zero effect on what we currently pay in property taxes.

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue (SKFR) serves over 72,000 residents in an area of roughly 117 square miles, which includes communities of Port Orchard, Gorst, Manchester, Olalla, Burley, Southworth and Sunnyslope. Servicing this substantial area, which represents the southern third of Kitsap County, are 5 elected officials, 17 staff personnel, 77 response personnel and 76 volunteers. Last year, SKFR responded to 9,068 calls, of which 6,157 (68 percent) of those calls were medical. Those medical response needs included 2,195 advance life support calls, 5,052 basic life support calls and 3,953 patient transports to local medical facilities. SKFR receives no ongoing county, state or federal funding so the vast majority of the district’s budget comes from two separate tax levies from local property taxes.

We both would like to thank all SKFR personnel and volunteers for their commitment to public service and improving safety in our community. In the nine years we have owned and operated our restaurant, we have always had quick responses and the utmost professional dealings with the EMTs and firefighters when an emergency arose. SKFR is a well-respected, trusted agency with a history of being one of the most financially prudent fire department. They have our vote and support as they watch over us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Please join us in voting “Yes” on the SKFR District Levy Renewal. For more information, call Chief Steve Wright at 360-535-2002 or email info@skfr.org.

Amy and Jeremy Creed | Port Orchard