KP Fire District Puts $800K M&O Levy on August Ballot

The Key Peninsula Fire District board of commissioners voted at its Feb. 27 meeting to place a renewal of an $800,000 annual maintenance and operations property tax measure on the Aug. 6 ballot. A voter-approved levy would continue for the next four years.

The commissioners discussed raising the request because of the rising costs of inflation but ultimately settled to renew the $800,000 ask for the third time since the original M&O levy passed in 2012.

“I think a straight renewal is probably the right thing to do,” Commission Chair Randy Takehara said. Commissioner Shawn Jensen agreed, saying the community is facing similar financial pressures as during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the last time the levy was on the ballot.

Commissioner Frank Grubaugh said not increasing the amount of the levy since 2012 is a good thing. “I think that speaks well for the overall financial responsibility of the board,” said Grubaugh, who has been a commissioner since 2011.

In a video about the levy posted on the KP Fire District website, Fire Chief Nick Swinhart said the M&O levy funds staff, equipment and maintaining existing facilities. The fire district is primarily funded by three property tax levies: the fire levy, the emergency medical services levy, and the M&O levy. The M&O levy needs at least 60% approval to pass. The 2020 levy passed with 65% approval.

Swinhart is hosting a “Coffee with the Chief ” on the first of each month from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Key Center headquarters (Station 46) to help educate the community about the M&O levy. Questions about it can also be emailed to NSwinhart@kpfd.org