The South County Fire Board of Commissioners adopts an annual budget to provide the highest quality lifesaving services within the level of funding supported by those we serve.

How are your emergency services funded?

Daily emergency operations are primarily funded with a fire levy, an EMS levy and a benefit charge. RFA residents will see these as line items on their county property tax statements.

Fire and EMS levies are based on a property's assessed value. The fire levy is capped at $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The EMS levy is capped at 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

The benefit charge, first approved by voters in 2020 and renewed in 2024, is set based on a building's structure size and use. Single family homes pay less than commercial buildings because it takes fewer resources to defend a smaller structure in a fire. LEARN MORE

Bonds can be used to fund high-cost capital items, such as fire stations and emergency apparatus. South County Fire has no bonds at this time, but it will be a consideration in the near future.

The City of Edmonds has a service contract with South County Fire.  City property owners do not pay the RFA directly for fire and EMS. Instead, they pay taxes and fees to the city and the city, in turn, pays the RFA for the services it provides under contract.