MUKILTEO—The Mukilteo City Council approved a resolution on May 5, 2025, asking residents to renew the levy for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) during the November 4, 2025, general election ballot.
The average homeowner (defined now as $836,000) would pay an additional $16 per month or $191 per year for a 24-hour Basic (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) response. ALS is the highest level of pre-hospital care possible to improve patient outcomes.
Due to inflation, the cost of providing emergency medical services has increased significantly—covering personnel, equipment, ambulance maintenance, fuel, and medical supplies. Meanwhile, the City is limited to a 1% annual revenue increase, even though EMS costs have risen by an average of 5% per year.
Mukilteo currently has the lowest tax rate for City + Fire/EMS in Snohomish County. Even with the levy renewal, Mukilteo would continue to have the lowest combined City and Fire/EMS tax rate in Snohomish County.
At the current EMS levy rate, The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fund will continue to erode. Over the next six years, the EMS Fund is expected to face nearly $4 million in total deficits, potentially resulting in a negative fund balance of $3.8 million.
“We want to continue to provide quality emergency services for our community. The EMS program is the most important emergency service of anything we do,” said Chief Albright.
The Mukilteo Fire Department is asking voters to return the EMS levy to the previously voter-approved amount of $0.50 per $1,000 during the November 4, 2025, general election. Without an EMS Levy Renewal, the City may need to pursue annexation with a regional fire authority, which would significantly increase costs to Mukilteo residents.
More information about Mukilteo’s EMS Levy renewal can be found at https://mukilteowa.gov/481/EMS-Levy-Renewal. Chief Albright is also available to answer questions at galbright@mukilteowa.gov or 425-263-8151.
Source: Mukilteo City Government
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
