Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Medic One Tax Levy Ballot Measure

March 30, 2021

Contact:
​Kurt Hardin, Emergency Services Director, 360-704-2783 or email Kurt.Hardin@co.thurston.wa.us

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 13, at 3 p.m. to receive public comment on adding a Thurston County Medic One property tax levy to the ballot for the August 3, 2021 election. 

The proposed ballot measure would authorize the county to increase its regular property tax levy for Thurston County Medic One emergency medical care and services, beginning for collection in 2022. If approved, property owners will see an incremental increase in their regular property tax rate over a period of six years, to restore the current rate from $0.289 to $0.50 per thousand in property tax.  

What: Public Hearing on Proposed Medic One Tax Levy Ballot Measure
When: Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Time: 3:00 p.m., or soon thereafter
Where: Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 280, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia WA 98502. The public's ability to attend the public hearings in person is limited to 25%, or 10 people, in Room 280. An overflow room is available for additional people, and a video conference option is also available to ensure those wishing to provide testimony have every option available.
Attend Virtually: Register in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoc-ivpjssHteXQ6FJzMIJd6mOSE…. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Comment by Phone: Dial (360) 252-9020 and use 1234 as the pin.

Written Comments: 
If you are unable to attend, comments may be submitted to Sandra Bush, Sandra.bush@co.thurston.wa.us. Comments must be received no later than 5:00 PM on April 12. You can also mail comments to: 
Sandra Bush
2703 Pacific Avenue SE, Suite C
Olympia, WA  98501 

Background:
A permanent levy was authorized by voters in 1999 with a rate of $0.50 per thousand in property tax revenue, for continued emergency medical services for the citizens of Thurston County. This service provides an advanced level of pre-hospital emergency medical care.  

Due to increased assessed values and limits on raising levy rates, the county is currently collecting $0.289 per thousand in property tax revenue. In the immediate future, it is projected that this decrease in revenue will affect the extent to which Medic One can provide pre-hospital emergency medical care because of insufficient funds to sustain the current level of operations.

A proposed ordinance for this levy can be found on Medic One’s website: Thurston County | Medic One | Home (thurstoncountywa.gov). Pursuant to RCW 84.36.381, qualified seniors, disabled, and veterans are exempt.

Disability Accommodations: 
Room 280 is equipped with an assistive listening system and is wheelchair accessible. To request disability accommodations, call the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at least three days prior to the meeting at 360-786-5440. Persons with speech or hearing disabilities may call via Washington Relay:  711 or 800-833-6388.

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Board of County Commissioners
Press Release