Bothell Sound

City Hall · Nov 12, 2024

EMS District Board was scheduled to hold public hearing on 1% EMS levy increase for Snohomish County Bothell

In materials published ahead of the Nov. 12, 2024 meeting, the Bothell Urban EMS District Board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance raising the EMS levy 1% for the Snohomish County portion of Bothell in 2025 1.

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the Nov. 12, 2024 meeting, the record said the board was scheduled to act as the Bothell Urban Emergency Medical Services (EMS) District Board and hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to implement a 1% increase in the EMS levy covering the Snohomish County portion of Bothell for 2025 1. The item was listed as Agenda Bill #24-175, with a proposed ordinance attached 1. The proposed 2025 levy rate was estimated at $0.255515 per $1,000 of assessed value, under the voter-approved six-year levy cap of $0.265 per $1,000; a homeowner with a $1 million home would pay just over $255 in 2025 1. The proposed ordinance would levy a discretionary increase of $20,872.34, a 1% increase over the prior year, exclusive of new-construction revenue 1.

  • The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance for a 1% EMS levy increase for 2025 1.
  • The increase would apply only to the Snohomish County portion of Bothell; King County residents pay for EMS through King County EMS levies 1.
  • The proposed 2025 levy rate was estimated at $0.255515 per $1,000 of assessed value, below the voter-approved cap of $0.265 per $1,000 1.
  • The item was Agenda Bill #24-175, with a proposed ordinance attached 1.

Why it matters

The EMS levy funds emergency medical services in the Snohomish County portion of Bothell — ambulance services, emergency medical technicians, equipment and supplies — so the increase affects the tax bills of property owners there 1. The total projected year-over-year levy increase for 2025 was $33,781 (1.6%), including the 1% increase (about $2.53 on a $1 million home) and $12,909 from new construction 1. Levy ordinances were due to Snohomish County by November 27, 2024, and the staff budget schedule listed adoption of the 1% EMS levy rate for the Nov. 19, 2024 meeting 1.

What changed / what's next

  • A proposed ordinance would implement a 1% increase in the EMS levy for the Snohomish County portion of Bothell for 2025, a discretionary increase of $20,872.34 over the prior year 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome, including whether the hearing was held or the ordinance was adopted. The staff budget schedule listed adoption of the 1% EMS levy rate for the Nov. 19, 2024 meeting 1.