You will be receiving a ballot asking you to decide on continuing the EMS levy (Proposition 1). Your Arlington firefighters are asking you to vote yes on Proposition 1.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has been provided to the city of Arlington and surrounding communities (Arlington Heights, Oso and Darrington) since 1980 through this levy. This is not a new levy; it’s a renewal of a levy most recently passed in 2004. The levy continues a 50-cent assessment per $1,000 of home value. In other words, a $100,000 home gets assessed $50 per year.

All Arlington fire personnel are cross trained as either a paramedic or emergency medical technician, allowing the taxpayers to get the best bang for their buck. Because this is a levy, just a simple majority saying yes will not be enough to assure the majority’s will. We need over 60 percent approval to continue the EMS levy, allowing us to continue providing the citizens of Arlington with first class Emergency Medical Services.

Failure to pass Proposition 1 will result in a drastic decrease in the services that we are able to provide, placing the public at risk. Your vote is important; please vote yes on Proposition 1.

Greg Koontz

Arlington Firefighters Local 3728