March 11, 2025
Measure aims to maintain emergency services amid rising calls, costs
Camano Island Fire & Rescue’s Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution to place an emergency medical services (EMS) levy renewal on the August 5, 2025, primary election ballot. The levy renewal would fund additional EMS personnel, training, a new ambulance, and medical equipment.
The district’s current EMS levy has fallen to $0.37 per $1,000 of assessed property value and is no longer keeping pace with the increasing demand for emergency services and rising costs.
“EMS accounts for more than two-thirds of the calls we receive,” said Fire Chief Jason Allen. “As call volumes and costs rise, it’s important that we have enough EMS personnel to respond quickly and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.”
Voters last approved an EMS levy renewal in 2021. Since then, costs to provide emergency services have surged. Inflation has drastically increased what the district must pay for EMS equipment, fuel, and vehicle repairs – costs that have surged 45%, 46%, and 65% respectively.
The Board is asking voters to consider renewing the EMS levy to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value – the rate previously approved.
The proposed $0.13 levy renewal would cost the owner of a property with an assessed value of $650,000 an additional $7.04 per month, or $84.50 annually.
Learn more at camanofire.com/news/ems-levy or contact Fire Chief Jason Allen at jallen@camanofire.com or 360-387-1512.