By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Voters in the Town of Eatonville will be asked this summer to approve property taxes to pay for emergency medical services. A levy scheduled for the primary election Aug. 2 would, if passed, authorize a collection of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation over a six-year period. The money would be spent on the EMS personnel, supplies and vehicles that are managed for Eatonvllle residents by South Pierce Fire and Rescue. The tax rate for the proposal is based on calculations by the Pierce County assessor-treasurer. The rate can decrease if the assessed property value for the town increases over a prior level when the tax rate was established. Mayor Mike Schaub noted that Eatonville "is limited each year to a statutory 1 percent increase in the assessed value if there is capacity available, but we cannot raise the rate without a vote of the people." Revenue that would come from the proposed levy would be spent only for EMS services within the town. If Eatonville ever votes to join the South Pierce fire district, the money collected through the town-approved levy would go the district for services within its boundaries. The ballot proposal and the election date were approved April 25 by the Town Council. Revenue that would come from the proposed levy would be spent only for EMS services within the town. If Eatonville ever votes to join the South Pierce fire district, the money collected through the town-approved levy would go to the district for services within its boundaries, Schaub said. Last August, the council approved a five-year contract with the fire district in which the town will pay the district $400,000 to run its fire and emergency medical services for 2016. The payment for 2015 was pro-rated, and payment amounts for 2017, 2018 and 2019 haven't been set. The decision to have contracted services was based on the town's struggles to afford its own fire department. South Pierce leases the town's fire and EMS equipment and uses the town's fire station. The district also serves an area of 138 square miles outside Eatonville.
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