Des Moines and Federal Way voters will be asked in next Tuesday's primary election to maintain the current levy for South King Fire & Rescue.

If approved, Proposition 1 will continue for another year the levy lid lift that taxes property at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for fire, Medic One and other rescue services.

Although voters have approved levy overrides to help pay for these services locally since Initiative 747 was approved statewide in 2001, this marks the first time that South King Fire & Rescue has requested the additional tax dollars.

On Jan. 1, Des Moines Fire District 26 and the Federal Way Fire District merged to create the new agency.

Chief Al Church said more than 95 percent of his district's annual revenue comes from property taxes.

"Basically, citizens pay $150 a year for every $100,000 in their home value for fire protection, emergency medical services, hazardous material protection and a host of other services," Church said.

I-747 caps the amount of tax revenue local governments and special service districts can collect at 1 percent over the previous year's levy.

But, Church noted, "The rising costs of our expenses far exceeds one percent a year. The bigger districts cannot maintain their level of service at an annual 1 percent increase.

"It's really simple mathematics," the chief continued. "If you're limited by 1 percent, and you're costs are going up 3 or 4 percent, something's got to give."

To increase funding to match the rising costs of providing fire and emergency services, South King Fire & Rescue annually asks voters for a levy lid lift, as allowed by I-747. A simple majority vote is needed for approval.

For Church, the voter response serves as report card of the previous year of service.

"We have the voters tell us every year," Church said, "We ask: 'Do you want to maintain the level of service you receive, or do you want us to cut back?'"

He warned that a failure to pass the measure would cut short his department's budget by approximately $850,000. With rising fuel and maintenance costs, Church said a failure to approve Proposition 1 would lead to significant cuts in staff and lagging response times to emergency calls.

"We're just trying to allow our citizens the choice," he added. "And whatever they tell us, we will live with."