EMS Replacement Levy on November Ballot

This note just came in from San Juan Island EMS and MedEvac to share with you…

San Juan Island EMS will seek a replacement 6 year levy on the November 2014 general election ballot. Property values have dropped since the existing levy was passed. By the end of 2016, the estimated revenue loss to EMS will be $4.2M. This shortfall necessitated significant cuts to this year’s EMS budget. Unless revenue is stabilized by this levy increase, future losses will require additional cuts.

The current levy rate is 35 cents per thousand of assessed property value. Increasing the levy rate to 50 cents per thousand will replace some of the lost revenue due to declining property values and changes in insurance coverage due to the Affordable Care Act. If passed, this levy would replace the remaining two years of the current six year levy, and allow stable funding for personnel, ambulances, equipment, and overall EMS operations for an additional six years, taking effect in 2015.

The levy funds about 1/3 of the total EMS budget and provides the equipment and training for our professional EMTs, paramedics, and flight nurses available 24/7/365 with no out-of-pocket billing expenses to District residents.

The EMS levy only supports San Juan Island EMS, and NOT the hospital or the hospital’s emergency department. It is solely for EMS services.

If you would like more information please contact Commissioner Lenore Bayuk at 360-378-2857 or via email at bayuk [@] sjcphd [.] org or visit the website at www.sanjuanems.org

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