Community Government Police & Fire

Gig Harbor Fire levy, PenMet commission seat on Aug. 1 primary ballots

Local voters will winnow the field of candidates for a PenMet Parks commission seat and decide the fate of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One’s levy renewal request next week. 

Voters must return ballots by Tuesday, Aug. 1. 

As of the morning of Thursday, July 27, the Pierce County Elections Office reported receiving 6,265 ballots from 39,682 voters in Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One (15.78%). In PenMet’s district, 4,498 ballots were returned from 31,313 voters (14.36%). 

GHFMO levy 

Gig Harbor Fire is asking for a renewal of its levy equal to 32 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the owner of an average-priced Gig Harbor-area home (worth $865,000), the tax works out to about $276 per year, or $23 per month.

The levy asks voters to allow the district to resume collecting the full $1.50 per $1,000 of property tax valuation for fighting fires and other emergency services.

State law limits growth of tax revenue collection to no more than 1% more than the previous year’s take — a lid on tax collection. GHFMO voters approved increasing that to 6% with a “lid lift” approval six years ago. 

However, property values grew faster than the 6% growth in revenue collection approved by voters. Therefore, the actual tax rate slipped to just $1.18 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

The six-year levy going before voters would boost the overall rate back to $1.50 — hence the 32 cents per $1,000. The 6% cap would continue, so the rate would continue to decline if property values continue to soar. 

How the money is used 

If voters approve the measure, Gig Harbor Fire would use the proceeds for a variety of purposes pertaining to firefighting. That includes personnel costs, training, equipment maintenance and upgrades, vehicles and capital needs.

Voters recently approved two other GHFMO funding requests for different purposes.

Funds from a 20-year, $80 million construction bond approved in August 2022 will build a new build a new fire training center and upgrade or replace fire stations. Voters also approved a levy to support emergency medical services in November 2022.

PenMet commission race 

Three candidates seek to replace Amanda Babich on the five-member Peninsula Metropolitan Parks District board. Babich did not run for re-election. Parks commissioners serve six-year terms. 

Candidates include Madelyn Hunter and Steven Nielson, both of Gig Harbor, and Billy Sehmel of Fox Island. The two top vote-getters advance to the general election Nov. 7. 

Click here to read more about the candidates’ views.  

PenMet operates parks outside Gig Harbor city limits between the Narrows and Purdy bridges. It owns nearly 600 acres of parks and other facilities and is building a Community Recreation Center sports complex at the former site of Performance Golf Center on 14th Avenue. 

How to return your ballot 

Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 1 or placed in a drop box by 8 p.m. Aug. 1. Drop box locations in the Gig Harbor area include:  

• Fire Station 53, 906 Kamus Dr., Fox Island 
• Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. 
• Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. 
• Purdy Park & Ride, 14567 Purdy Dr. 

Election results will be available shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug. 1 on Gig Harbor Now and on the Pierce County Elections website. 

The election will be certified on Aug. 11.