Voters who receive emergency fire protection, rescue and medical services from Lewis County Fire Protection District No. 3 in Mossyrock will see a ballot measure asking whether or not they support a property tax levy for the fire district in the Nov. 7 general election.
The maximum regular levy rate for Washington fire districts is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Currently, Mossyrock Fire’s rate is less than $0.38.
If passed, this would be the district's first lid lift since incorporation in 1948. It would bring the property tax rate to an estimated $.90 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2023, for collection in 2024.
According to the voters’ pamphlet, the measure would allow the district to “keep pace with inflation by establishing an annual growth factor based on the greater of 4% or the annual consumer price index” not exceeding 8%.
The 18-day voting period began on Oct. 20. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 in dropboxes, or they must be postmarked by that time. Registered voters who haven’t received their ballots should call the Lewis County Elections Office at 360-740-1278.
U.S. Post Office outdoor mailboxes often pick up afternoon mail on the following day, therefore, ballots delivered after noon on Nov. 7 are more likely to be valid when delivered to an official county elections box.
Learn about other candidates and ballot measures, ballot dropboxes and past elections online at https://elections.lewiscountywa.gov.
Check your ballot’s status at voter.votewa.gov.
