Emergency Medical Services

EMS Levy Renewal Information | News

I want to thank our community for their support of the EMS Levy renewal in the April special election. We’re grateful our community sees the value of emergency medical services and this funding ensures we can continue to provide 24/7 EMS response and be there when you need us.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our community safe.

Josh Pelonio, Director
Skagit County EMS

Skagit County funds a coordinated countywide emergency medical service (EMS) system that consists of Basic and Advanced Life Support first-response and ambulance transport for residents and visitors. We contract with cities, towns, fire districts, and other agency providers covering 1,731 miles and 132,000 people across the county. EMS call volumes in Skagit County have increased by 25 percent in just four years.

How do we fund emergency services?

Services are funded through a voter-approved EMS levy limited to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The EMS levy must be renewed by voters every six years to continue service. Voters last renewed the EMS levy at $0.44 in 2018 and it’s set to expire at the end of 2024.

Why does the EMS levy rate decrease?

Since 2018, the levy rate has dropped from $0.44 per $1,000 to $0.30 per $1,000. Over time, levy rates drop as property values rise to limit a taxing district to the same amount of revenue per year plus a one percent increase allowed by state law. Even if property values double, we can only collect one percent more in revenue. This is called “levy compression” and impacts our ability to provide emergency services.

*Please note the levy rate has since dropped to $0.30. Older materials may contain the previous rate of $0.32.   

Voters must renew the EMS levy to continue service

The EMS levy will expire at the end of 2024. The Board of County commissioners passed a resolution to place an EMS levy renewal on the April 23, 2024, special election ballot. The purpose of the ballot measure is to renew the levy at a sufficient rate to continue funding 24-hour EMS response.  

What will the EMS renewal fund?

•  Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
•  Medical education and training
•  Fuel
•  Equipment
•  Ambulance maintenance and replacement
•  Medical supplies

What will this cost?

The Board of County Commissioners is asking voters to renew the EMS levy at $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The $0.17 levy rate increase would cost the owner of a $555,000 home (median assessed value) an additional $94.35  per year or $7.87 per month for a 24-hour EMS response.

Skagit County EMS Director Josh Pelonio welcomes your questions at joshp@co.skagit.wa.us or 360-416-1830.

Download 2024 EMS Levy FAQ Postcard Here!

News and Updates

April 15, 2024
EMS Levy Renewal on April Special Election Ballot
The Skagit BoardThe purpose of the ballot measure is to renew the levy at a sufficient rate to continue critical funding for 24-hour EMS response.

March 27, 2024
Community Invited to EMS Levy Renewal Q&A Sessions
The Skagit County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department invites the community to learn more about the EMS levy renewal on the April 23, 2024, special election ballot.

January 30, 2024
Skagit Board of County Commissioners Passes Resolution to Place EMS Levy Renewal on April Ballot
The purpose of the ballot measure is to renew the levy at a sufficient rate to continue funding 24-hour EMS response.

January 16, 2024
Skagit Board of County Commissioners to hold public hearing to consider EMS levy renewal
Public hearing will be held on January 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. to consider a resolution to place an emergency medical services (EMS) levy renewal on the April 23, 2024, special election ballot.