South County Fire’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 18 to adopt a balanced budget that funds emergency services operations for 2026. This budget keeps South County Fire among the lowest-cost fire emergency service providers in all of Snohomish County.

View 2026 Budget

The budget of just over $130 million includes additional support to meet the community’s growing needs while continuing to keep taxpayer costs as low as possible. Commissioners supported shifting a slightly higher portion of funding onto the benefit charge instead of property taxes. The benefit charge provides a more fair way to fund emergency services because it’s based on a building’s size and risk instead of property value.

Included in the budget are 30 additional firefighters plus six administrative staff to preserve emergency services. In order to maintain fiscal responsibility in the midst of economic uncertainties, the board will require additional approval before most positions are filled.

Here’s what the average homeowner can expect:

• Overall, the 2026 budget adds a total of just over $7 per month to the average homeowner’s costs.

• That includes an estimated property tax levy rate slightly less than the prior year: $1.15 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
• The benefit charge for the owner of a 2,000-square-foot-home will increase from approximately $70.39 annually to $106.92, a difference of less than $37 for the entire year.

“This is about more than balancing numbers,” said Fire Chief Bob Eastman. “It’s about honoring your trust and making sure every dollar supports our commitment to safety, transparency and responsible use of the resources you give us.”

South County Fire’s long-term planning and conservative approach to funding has allowed property tax increases to remain below the rate of inflation since the RFA formed. The average yearly property tax increase since 2018 is below one percent.

Washington State law establishes property taxes as one of the primary ways public fire services can be funded. As a Regional Fire Authority, South County Fire is only allowed to levy property taxes based on assessed property value: an EMS Levy up to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value and a Fire Levy up to $1.50 per $1,000 or assessed property value.

The maximum fire levy is reduced by a third – down to $1.00 per $1,000 or assessed property value – with the addition of a voter-approved benefit charge. State law limits yearly property tax increases to 1% per year plus new construction collections. In years where the 1% increase is not used, that taxing capacity can be “banked” for possible use in the future.

Property values can be appealed and homeowners can also request a property tax exemption through the Snohomish County Assessor’s Office.

The benefit charge, renewed by voters in 2024, provides a more fair and balanced way to distribute emergency service costs. Unlike traditional levies based on a property’s value, this fee is based on building size, use and hazards.

That means residential homeowners typically pay less than higher risk industrial or commercial buildings. With the benefit charge, the maximum fire levy is reduced by a third. Learn more about the benefit charge.

South County Fire has kept property tax rate increases below the rate of inflation since the RFA was formed. The proposed 2026 budget would keep South County Fire among the lowest cost emergency service providers in all of Snohomish County.

The levy rates and benefit charge apply to properties within the RFA.

In 2025 and years prior, that includes the cities of Brier, Lynnwood, Mill Creek and Mountlake Terrace along with communities in unincorporated southwest Snohomish County.

The City of Edmonds joined the RFA June 1, 2025. Starting in 2026, Edmonds property owners will pay South County Fire directly for fire and EMS, instead of paying taxes to the city for these services.