Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the King County EMS topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee previewed King County EMS contract, levy funding and local reimbursements
Summary
Staff previewed a five‑year King County EMS contract required for the city to receive levy reimbursements passed by King County voters in November 2025. The county levy covers 2026–2031; staff outlined expected local allocations (basic allocation ~$217,000; MIH ~$53,000; instructor funds ~$20,000) and said the contract will be brought to the committee and then full council for approval.
City staff told the Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee they will bring an agenda bill to the next committee meeting asking the council to authorize a five‑year contract with King County EMS so the city can receive levy reimbursements tied to the voter‑approved county EMS levy.
The staff presentation explained that King County EMS administers funding for emergency medical services across the county—supporting advanced life support, basic life support, training, data and quality improvement—and that the county plans levy funding in five‑year cycles. "Since 1979, King County EMS has been funded by voter approved levies, which occur every five years," the staff member said.
Staff described how the most recent levy (passed Nov. 2025) covers calendar years 2026 through 2031 and was approved at roughly $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. The presenter laid out how the city’s eligible reimbursements are typically distributed: a basic allocation (identified in the packet as about $217,000 for 2026, which can be used for salary), a core/equipment allocation (used for capital purchases such as automated external defibrillator ads), a mobile integrated health (MIH) allocation (roughly $53,000) and an instructor‑fee allocation (about $20,000). Staff said not all buckets are spent each year and estimated the city would likely seek about $235,000 in reimbursements in 2026 rather than the full ~$300,000 potential allocation.
Council Cotton asked whether funds such as MIH can be pooled or used for other departmental needs. Staff answered that some carryover of core and MIH funds has occurred historically, but final rules will be specified in an annual funding letter King County issues after the contract is signed. Staff also noted one contractual change: each agency will be required to purchase and store six months of PPE rather than rely on county stockpiles, a policy shift originating in pandemic lessons.
What happens next: Staff said the contract and agenda bill will be on the public safety committee agenda at the next meeting and, if approved by committee, staff expects to bring it to the full council for consideration on April 27. Staff committed to providing the committee with the formal funding letter and any additional details once King County finalizes the contract terms.
