East County Fire and Rescue is asking voters in its area to consider lifting the cap on a property levy that would return the tax to a previous level.
The fire department said in a statement that lifting the levy lid would revert it back to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value — the rate in 2008.
Chief Mike Carnes said in a news release that the request is not just about asking taxpayers for more money.
The increased funding would be used to maintain the current emergency service level, keep facilities in working order, improve training and repair equipment, Carnes said.
“These items are necessary to maintain the community’s insurance rating, which affects the insurance premiums that home and business owners pay,” the fire department said in the news release.
The proposal will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot, and if passed, would increase the cost by 21 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value — $7.87 per month for the owner of a $450,000 home.