Letter to the editor South County Fire budget leverages Edmonds property values

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) has adopted a 2026 budget, leveraging property values from Edmonds while maintaining a levy rate of $1. 15 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Initially, the RFA anticipated that the annexation of Edmonds would dilute the levy rate to around $1. 05, but the budget increase of $15. 4 million defied those expectations.

According to the RFA's analysis, the total cost for homeowners has risen from $1. 28 to $1. 33 per $1,000 when combining the levy and benefit charge. Critics, including Edmonds residents, argue that the RFA's annexation claims were misleading, suggesting that the focus was on maximizing revenue rather than achieving fairness. The rising costs associated with this budget have raised significant concerns among community members.

These financial decisions reflect broader implications for local governance and budget management. The RFA's actions will likely impact the perception of fairness in resource allocation among residents. This situation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in local budgeting processes.