King County Fire Protection District No. 20 Proposition No. 1 — Bonds to Improve Fire and Emergency Response Facilities

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Only voters in this district

What it does
The Board of Fire Commissioners of King County Fire Protection District No. 20 adopted Resolution No. 2026-002, concerning emergency response facilities to protect public health, life and property. This proposition would authorize the District to: improve emergency response support facilities and infrastructure on two sites owned by the District; renovate and modernize the existing fire station; acquire firefighting and emergency response apparatus; issue no more than $16,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 2026-002. Should this proposition be:
A YES vote means
King County Fire Protection District No. 20 could issue up to $16,000,000 in bonds, maturing within 20 years and repaid with property taxes, to improve facilities, renovate the fire station and buy firefighting apparatus.
A NO vote means
The District would not issue these bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.
Needed to pass
A 60% supermajority: at least 60 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Only on your ballot if you live in the King County Fire Protection District No. 20.

Explained

Today

  • King County Fire Protection District No. 20 provides fire suppression and rescue, emergency medical services, and fire prevention for the Skyway/West Hill community.
  • The Board of Fire Commissioners says the district's facilities are too small, aging and outdated, and that site security, resilience and responder safety need improving. The pamphlet's argument for says Fire Station 20 was built more than 40 years ago and is not seismically up to standard.
  • The district's day-to-day operations are paid for separately; the district says its long-term capital needs exceed what its operating budget can reasonably cover.

If it passes

  • Authorizes up to $16,000,000 in general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, repaid by annual excess property tax levies, as set out in Resolution No. 2026-002.
  • Money would go to support facilities and infrastructure on two district-owned sites (including a new storage and support facility), renovating and modernizing the existing fire station, site improvements such as secured parking and emergency power, and firefighting and emergency response apparatus.
  • Bond proceeds could be used only for capital purposes, not daily operations, per the district.

Example

The voters' pamphlet estimates the bond tax rate at approximately $0.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. The district's own examples: about $140 a year on a home assessed at $500,000, $196 at $700,000, and $224 at $800,000 (planning assumptions that may change). (source)

Who would notice

Property owners in Fire District No. 20 (Skyway/West Hill), who would pay the bond levy, and residents served by the district. Seniors, people with disabilities and qualifying low-income households may be eligible for King County exemptions or deferrals.

How it got here

The Board of Fire Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 2026-002, named in the ballot title, placing the bonds on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The district says passage needs at least 60% yes votes plus legal validation requirements.

Written by SpectrumVote from 2 linked sources (1, 2). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on King County Fire Protection District No. 20 Proposition No. 1 mean?
King County Fire Protection District No. 20 could issue up to $16,000,000 in bonds, maturing within 20 years and repaid with property taxes, to improve facilities, renovate the fire station and buy firefighting apparatus.
What does a NO vote on King County Fire Protection District No. 20 Proposition No. 1 mean?
The District would not issue these bonds, and the related property tax would not be levied.
What does it take to pass?
At least 60% yes votes, plus legal validation (turnout) requirements.
Does it pay for firefighter salaries or daily operations?
No. The district says bond proceeds are for capital purposes only.
Is there an argument against in the voters' pamphlet?
No. King County Elections says no one in the district came forward to serve on the committee to write a statement against it.
How many votes does King County Fire Protection District No. 20 Proposition No. 1 need to pass?
A 60% supermajority: at least 60 out of every 100 YES and NO votes must be YES, so a measure can get a majority and still fail.
Should I vote yes or no on King County Fire Protection District No. 20 Proposition No. 1?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the King County ballot.

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