August 4, 2026
2026 Levy Lid Lift
Thank you to the many community members who attended our town hall meetings and those that reached out to explore the idea of a levy lid lift.
Through those conversations, we heard that community members are concerned about the increasing number of large scale fires, the doubling of medical calls and the shift in the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) rating for Lyle, which insurance companies are paying closer and closer attention. Community members heard the District's concerns about funding to meet those issues.
Current Funding
Daily operations are funded largely by a voter approved property tax levy and maximized by trained volunteer responders. The current levy lid lift passed in 2006 and has not been adjusted for inflation. Other funding has come from individual donors along with occasional grant funding that is competitive and inconsistent in its availability. Tax payer investments make it possible for quick and consistent response to protect lives and property, and serve our community every day.
Levy Lid Lift
We expect questions and hope to provide helpful answers for voters to make an informed decision.
Proposition
The Board of Klickitat County Fire Protection District No. 4 adopted Resolution No. 2026-04 concerning a proposition to maintain and adequately fund District operations.
This proposal would fund fire protection and emergency medical services by establishing the District's existing regular property tax levy in 2026 at $1.15 per $1,000 of assessed valuatoin and authorize annual adjustments for the nine succeeding years based on the greater of one percent or the 12-month West Region CPI-U reported in June of each levy year. The maximum allowed levy in 2035 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations.
Explanatory Statement
Klickitat County Fire Protection District No. 4 provides emergency fire protection and medical srevices to its citizens.
If approved by the voters, this proposition will authorize the District to establish its existing regular property tax levy rate at $1.15 per thousand of assessed valuation for collection in 2027 and will allow the District to keep pace with inflation by establishing a consumer price index based on annual growth factor each year for the following nine years, subject to statutory limits. At the end of the ten-year period, absent further voter approval, the fire department's tax levy will be subject to statutory one percent limit.
The Board of Commissioners has determined that the tax levy and the revenue it will produce is necessary to maintain the current level of fire protection, fire suppression and emergency medical services while providing for the safety of our firefighters. The levy is subject to the property tax exemptions provided for qualifying seniors, veterans and others under chapter 84.36 RCW.
Frequently Asked Questions
We expect questions and will add to this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) as more questions are brought to our attention. Feel encouraged to an upcoming business meeting or contact us at Levy@LyleFire.com.