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Committee reviews Medic One EMS levy renewal plan; recommends further review before final action
Summary
Staff and EMS leaders briefed the committee on a proposed six-year, 25¢ per $1,000 assessed-value levy that would raise an estimated $1.42 billion to fund Medic One services; committee discussion centered on funding allocations for mobile integrated health, reserve levels, and municipal approvals required for the ballot measure.
King County council staff and EMS leadership presented a detailed briefing on the proposed renewal of the Medic One EMS levy, outlining the levy rate, funding allocations and next steps toward a November ballot measure.
Gene Paul, council staff, summarized proposed ordinance 2025-0119, which would place a six-year property tax levy on the Nov. 4 ballot at a proposed rate of 25¢ per $1,000 of assessed value. Using a county median assessed home value of $844,000, staff said the levy would cost about $211 a year for that homeowner and would generate an estimated $1.42 billion over the levy period based on a March 2025 forecast.
Olivia Bridal, council policy staff, briefed the committee on the EMS strategic plan (proposed ordinance 2025-0118), noting it is the primary policy and financial document that guides allocations across program areas including Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), regional services and strategic initiatives. The plan preserves ALS funding methodology, increases the BLS annual allocation by $3 million plus CPI adjustments and recommends increasing MIH funding from $26 million in the prior levy period to $50 million in the proposed levy period.
EMS Division Director Michelle Plourde told the committee the MIH expansion aims to reduce avoidable 911 responses by connecting patients to community services: "The idea behind MIH is to not be their forever care provider," Plourde said, and to free BLS units for more acute calls. She explained allocations are countywide; smaller fire departments with limited allocations contract with larger departments for coverage.
Staff also reviewed financial risk and reserve planning. The planning process estimated potential revenue shortfalls of $32 million to $77 million due to lower assessed values, slower new construction and higher inflation; the advisory task force recommended a $47 million supplemental reserve, which staff said has declined to $20 million in the March forecast. Combined reserves include $67 million in programmatic and rainy-day reserves, staff said, and the finance subcommittee recommended the 25¢ rate.
Councilmembers asked for additional details: one asked for a list of current MIH program locations (staff said the list had been distributed to members), and another asked whether federal funding supports MIH programs (staff said 11 MIH programs exist and two received federal funds and are evaluating contingencies if that funding is suspended).
Staff emphasized process deadlines: nine of 11 cities with populations over 50,000 must approve to meet a state-law city-approval threshold for the ballot measure, and clerks' memo ballot deadlines require council approval by July 8 (maximum processing), July 22 (minimum processing), and Aug. 5 (absolute latest) to get the measure on the November ballot. The committee did not take action; staff indicated possible action at the May 28 committee meeting and transmitted timelines for striker and line amendments.
The briefing will also be discussed at the Regional Policy Committee and returned to BFM for potential action with technical amendments expected.
