City of Brier

Like neighboring Mountlake Terrace, the city of Brier is seeking annexation to South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Regional Fire Authority (South County Fire). As the city's 20-year contract is coming to an end in December 2024, the city must find an alternative to secure fire and emergency medical services (EMS) for residents. 

Annexation changes how the fire authority is paid - rather than the city paying the fire authority, property owners will pay South County Fire directly. Residents can expect that all options will result in a price increase for these necessary services, as the city has not increased its levy rate since 2009 with a price locked from 20 years ago. If annexation is passed, the 2023 cost for a $950,000 home would increase to $1.22 per $1,000. Most cities in Snohomish County pay closer to $2 per $1,000 of assessed value for these services, so the overall rate would continue to be significantly less than the median cost for the region. 

After an examination of the city's resources, the city found that not annexing or raising additional funds would deplete the general fund by 2026. Starting its own fire department would be the city's most prohibitively expensive option, and no other service could be contracted without lower response times or higher costs. A failed vote here would result in the city's funds being depleted in three years or an increase in non-voted fees like special taxes and assessments. Voters should vote yes on Proposition 1 to maintain current EMS and fire services to Brier.