Fire District 3 proposition would restore levy rate

Spokane County Fire District 3 is asking voters to restore its previously approved levy of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in the Aug. 6 election.

Called Proposition 2 on the ballot, the restoration is needed due to a state law commonly referred to as a “levy lid,” in which taxing districts like District 3 can only collect an additional 1 percent of the total taxes it collected the previous year.

The limit has the effect of mathematically reducing the levy rate. It’s almost like an automatic tax decrease for taxpayers — and a decrease in funding for taxing districts.

Inflation rose 1.9 percent last year, and is currently running at 1.6 percent this year, according to U.S. Inflation Calculator.

For District 3, the levy lid has reduced the District’s real levy rate to $1.41 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to language in a district resolution.