Renton's Ballot Proposition 1: Here's What To Know For November

RENTON, WA — Ballots for the 2021 General Election will hit mailboxes across King County by mid-October, and voters in several cities will see a handful of measures alongside their local races.

Around Renton, voters will decide the fate of Proposition 1, which seeks to renew the Renton Regional Fire Authority's fire benefit charge, first approved in 2016. It's currently responsible for funding approximately 40 percent of the RFA's operating budget. The agency also serves the East Renton Highlands and Cascade-Fairwood.

According to the Renton RFA, that revenue helps maintain fire stations, staffing, engines and other equipment, along with special community and education programs. Over the past five years, it has been essential in providing Renton and Fire District 25 with adequate staffing, training and other infrastructure.

Unlike a traditional levy, which supports the other portion of the agency's budget, fire benefit charges are considered a more consistent source of funding and distributes costs based on the level of resources needed to protect each property. That means owners of larger commercial and industrial properties bear more of the financial burden than homeowners, and property taxes stay lower.

"If Proposition 1 is approved, we will be able to continue to fund these aspects of our organization and maintain the service levels our community expects and depends on," said Steve Heitman, Renton's fire chief. "If voters reject Proposition 1, we will have to consider ways to address the over 40% gap it will leave in our operating budget, which may include reducing our service levels, raising the property tax, or eliminating/altering public programs, an example of which would be our FDCARES program."

Renton RFA underlined that the fire benefit charge is not a new fee and merely maintains the voter-approved measure as state law requires. The fee also has built-in discounts and exemptions for low-income seniors and disabled residents, along with certain properties that have monitored fire alarm or sprinkler systems installed.

Read more about Renton's Proposition 1 or send in questions about the fire benefit charge on the Renton RFA website.