City of Ravensdale

Strong schools build strong communities. In order to keep providing critical school resources that state funding doesn't cover, voters are being asked to approve Tahoma School District Proposition 1, which replaces an expiring educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy. 

Voters may recognize this levy from the February 2024 special election. Because it failed to gain a 50 percent majority vote, Tahoma’s school board directors have approved its reprisal on April ballots due to its importance in the day-to-day district budget. The levy itself is not new and currently accounts for an estimated 17 percent of the district budget. 

The EP&O levy is crucial for providing our students with the basics needed to access a quality education in our modern age. Some of these costs include instructional materials, special programs, activities and sports, technology systems operation, staff salaries, and transportation.

If approved by voters this time, an approximate rate of $2.50 per $1,000 in assessed value would be levied, costing the owner of an average Tahoma home about $1,250 per year. By comparison, the EP&O levy rate previously passed by Tahoma voters in 2020 was just 50 cents lower per $1,000 in assessed value.

Vote Yes on Tahoma School District Proposition 1 to ensure our students have the bare minimum resources and programs to access a quality education.

Our community is safer when we have 24/7 access to emergency crisis response equipped with updated tools and sufficient staff. To achieve this, East Pierce Fire & Rescue Proposition 1 authorizes a single-year levy lift to support emergency services.

Earlier this year, the board of fire commissioners for the district determined that a levy was necessary to fund the basic crisis services offered by the East Pierce Fire & Rescue District. With the heightened demand for existing services and the pressures of inflation and levy limitations, the fire district determined that it lacks sufficient funds to continue the same quality and quantity of services. If passed, Proposition 1 would restore the fire district levy to its original rate of $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed value, which would cost the owner of a $600,000 home about $900 a year. This would allow the district to staff two additional fire stations and two response units to address the growing district while retaining existing staff and services.

When a loved one is experiencing a health crisis, the last thing we want to worry about is whether or not our firefighters and ambulance services have the funding they need to help. District residents deserve to feel safe knowing that quality help is just a call away. Vote Yes on East Pierce Fire & Rescue Proposition 1 to ensure that our crisis responders have everything they need to be there for us when we need them.