Duvall’s fire district will have a proposition on King County’s special election ballot April 22.

Proposition No. 1 is asking voters if King County Fire Protection District 45 should be allowed to continue charging property owners a benefit service charge (BSC) for another six years. Voters last approved a BSC in 2019, and it will expire at the end of 2025.

According to the proposition’s explanatory statement, the BSC is based on square footage, property use and fire risk factors.

District 45 contracts with Eastside Fire & Rescue for fire and emergency services. The funds from the charge would be used to maintain the current level of service the district provides.

“The district’s current tax levies are insufficient to adequately fund fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of Duvall,” according to the explanatory statement. “Passage of this measure would continue a sustainable funding source of the district.”

If the proposition passes, the BSC may not make up more than 60% of the district’s operating budget, and the district may not impose a fire tax levy in excess of $1 per $1,000 in assessed valuation.

Additionally, property owners will be notified in writing annually of the amount of the BSC imposed on each property, and property owners will have the ability to repeal their charge(s) with the Benefit Charge Review Board.

Michael Beard, chair of the District 45 Board of Fire Commissioners, submitted a statement in favor of the proposition, saying the BSC has been an effective tool to help operate the district’s stations.

“The ability to adjust the BSC in each annual budget cycle enables the Board of Fire Commissioners to maintain [District 45’s] high standard of service levels and to adjust to the cost fluctuations impacting daily operations and long-term capital and equipment needs,” he said.

He said there is no BSC on undeveloped land, and buildings with fire sprinklers have a reduced rate, and those who benefit more from fire protection services are charged more, such as larger structures that pose a higher fire risk.

“The BSC calculation more closely approximates the fire risk to property and the service potentially required from [District 45],” he said.