Support Hat Island Fire District 27 Vote for Proposition #1 today!

Hello Hat Island Voters,

Fire District 27 is committed to providing reliable, high-quality emergency services to the residents of Hat Island. Dedicated volunteers are on the job every day, responding to a wide range of emergencies to protect the community. However, maintaining this level of service requires sustainable funding, which comes directly from voter-approved property tax levies — not Hat the Island Community Association (HICA) or other Snohomish County Government taxes or funding.

Hat Island Logo

How is Fire District 27 funded?

Even though the District receives generous donations from Hat Island residents, Fire District operations are almost entirely funded through a property tax levy approved by voters and that levy rate is limited by Washington State Law. The original voter approved levy was for $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value to fund critical services. However, Washington State Law caps the growth of property tax revenue to 1% per year plus the valuation of new construction. This means even though property values increase, the District only receives a 1% increase each year.

This cap results in a gradual decline of the levy rate over time. For example, the original $1.50 per $1,000 passed by voters has decreased over the years to $0.82 cents per $1,000, far below what the voters approved and currently almost half of what the voters originally approved.

Why is a Levy Lid Lift Needed?

Simply put, growing service demands, rising costs, deferred maintenance and vehicle replacement. Since 2010, the demands on Fire District 27 have grown substantially. In just the first six months of 2025 the District has already had the same amount of 911 calls as they did for the entire year of 2024!  The cost of medical supplies has skyrocketed and the District does not charge patients for these supplies. Supplies used during 911 calls are provided to patients free of charge, unlike Fire Departments on the mainland who charge for everything on each medical 911 call. 

The district currently operates with a fleet of vehicles that are aging and need replacement.  Most are vintage, like the tender which is 54 years old and have increasingly hard to find replacement or maintenance parts.  There is a large list of deferred maintenance items including the replacement of retaining walls behind the department, 4 overhead doors are original to the building and need repair or replacement, exterior building maintenance and more.  The continued deferral of maintenance will cost the District even more in the long run.

What does a Levy Lid Lift Means for Property Owners?

Resetting the levy rate represents an investment in the safety and well-being of the Hat Island community. To continue providing the level of service the community expects and deserves, Fire District 27 is asking the voters to reset the levy rate to the original $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value on November 4^th, 2025.

Restoring the levy to the original to $1.50 will assist the District in having the resources necessary to maintain response times, continue providing quality services and maintain adequate staffing. This will also assist the District in the ability to plan for replacing aging equipment, facilities and vehicles, cover increasing cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and growing demands for emergency services within the Hat Island community. 

What is the cost impact to Property Owners? 

As an example, if your home is assessed at $300,000, resetting the levy would cost an additional $0.68 per $1,000, or about $17.00 dollars per month, similar to the cost of 3 espresso coffees in a month or one dinner at an average cost restaurant. 

This funding directly supports the emergency responders and infrastructure that protects your families’ lives and property every day.  Having a trained responder, adequate equipment and medical supplies is well worth the same cost as one dinner per month.  If you have ever called 911 for you or a family member, surely you would agree.

We need you to vote and pass Proposition 1 to support your Fire Department to continue providing quality services to Hat Island Residents.

Respectfully Requested by:

Snohomish County Fire District 27 Commissioners

• Steven Nielsen

• Chuck Thurman

• Steven Slawson