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Executive Braddock’s proposal to renew the Medic One/Emergency Medical Services levy at a reduced rate would continue to ensure King County residents who dial 9-1-1 have immediate access to lifesaving care, regardless of location, circumstances, or time of day.
King County Executive Shannon Braddock today announced a proposal to renew the Medic One/EMS levy. The EMS system serves more than 2.3 million people across King County and provides life-saving services every 2 minutes on average.
The proposal for the November ballot, subject to approval by the King County Council, would renew the levy for six years. It provides funding for the regional network that includes 23 fire departments, five paramedic agencies, and four dispatch centers that deliver 24/7 emergency services.
“Day or night, Medic One/EMS is there when emergencies happen,” said Executive Braddock. “Our regional system is recognized as one of the best emergency medical service programs in the country, and this proposal continues to invest in lifesaving services that every community can count on.”
The Medic One/EMS system is known worldwide for innovation, excellence, and exceptional patient outcomes. Compared to other communities, cardiac arrest victims are two to three times more likely to survive in Seattle and King County from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The proposal is a reduction from the current levy. From 2026-2031, the levy rate is proposed at 25 cents per $1,000 assessed value. This would be one of the lowest rates in the state for an EMS system.
It would cost the owner of a home with an assessed value of $844,000, the median property value in King County, $211 in 2026.
This levy proposal was developed in collaboration with regional partners over the last year. It's also endorsed by the EMS Advisory Task Force, which is made up of 20 elected and community leaders from across King County, including representatives from cities larger than 50,000 in population, the Sound Cities Association, the King County Fire Commissioners Association, and the King County Council.
“This Medic One/EMS proposal was built with the review and contributions of partners across the region to meet our community needs and deliver the best possible value. This levy helps us to continue providing our residents and visitors extraordinary medical care in the field," said advisory task force member and Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.
“I am pleased that our task force work has set the stage for voters to decide on a Medic One/EMS levy that preserves this essential service at what I feel is a reasonable cost to community members,” said advisory task force member and Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson.
For more information about the 2026-2031 Medic One/EMS Strategic Plan, including the proposed levy, visit kingcounty.gov/ems.
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