Page 33 - Kitsap County Voter Pamphlet 2019

Local Measures

The City of Bremerton

Proposition No. 1 Explanatory Statement (Prepared by the Attorney for
Emergency Medical Care and Services Tax the City of Bremerton as prescribed by law.)
Levy If approved by voters, passage of Proposition No. 1 would authorize
the City of Bremerton to impose regular property tax levies of $0.50
per $1,000 of assessed value annually for six years commencing
The City Council of the City of Bremerton adopted Resolution No. in 2019 through 2024 for collection beginning in 2020 through
3319 concerning a regular property tax levy under chapter 84.52 2025. The tax levy would be used for emergency medical care and
RCW. Will the City be authorized to impose regular property services, including related costs for personnel, training for such
tax levies of $0.50 or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for personnel, equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures. In 2014,
each of six consecutive years (2020-2025) to continue financing the voters approved a six year EMS levy of $0.50 per $1,000 of
emergency medical care and services? assessed value, which expires in 2020. If Proposition No. 1 passes,
the City will levy the tax to be collected in 2020 under this new
proposition and not under the proposition approved in 2014.
□ Yes

□ No Exemptions from taxes may be available to homeowners
who are 61 years or older or disabled, and who meet certain
income requirements. For information contact the Kitsap County
Department of Assessments.

Argument For the Measure Argument Against the Measure
The City of Bremerton and the Bremerton Fire Department is No argument submitted.
seeking a continuation/renewal of the existing Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) levy. This is not a new tax, but an established
source of funding which has received the support of the citizens of
Bremerton since its inception in 1980 and six subsequent renewals
every six years.
Revenue from the initial EMS levy was used by the Bremerton Fire
Department to create the “Medic One” program which included
the purchase of a medic van and equipment. It also provided
funding to send firefighters to paramedic training, providing the first
paramedics in Kitsap County. In 1981, the department responded to
1,995 aid calls. In 2013, the Medic One program expanded to three
paramedic units and in 2018 these units responded to 6,441 aid
calls and an additional 2,692 requests for a total of 9113 requests
for service.
This levy is the cornerstone of funding this essential system which
trains EMS personnel, purchases medical equipment, supplies
and vehicles necessary to provide advance life support medical
services for the City. The department is grateful for the support of
the citizens and has demonstrated good stewardship of these funds
and hope to continue this service to its residents uninterrupted for
the next six years.

Rebuttal to the Argument Against Rebuttal to the Argument For

No argument against the measure submitted for rebuttal. No rebuttal submitted

Argument prepared by Al Duke, former Fire Chief, Cary Bozeman, No committee against formed for appointment.
former City of Bremerton Mayor. Further questions may be
addressed by calling (360) 692-5831.

The Auditor’s Office is not responsible for the content of arguments or their factual and grammatical accuracy. 33