Proposed Levy Increase
The levy on the May ballot is the next step toward developing a sustainable, separate funding structure for EMS services in Valley County.
An EMS levy rate increase of .0002423 ($24.23 per $100,000 of taxable value) is proposed to fund EMS services throughout Valley County.
This increase would bring the levy rate up to .000359 ($36.23 per $100,000 of taxable value*) and increase the overall EMS District funding from $1.32 million to $4.06 million annually.
This measure must pass by a two-thirds supermajority.
*Taxable Value is assessed value less the $125,000 homeowner exemption (if applicable).
What does this rate increase mean for your property taxes?
The current EMS district levies .00012 or $12 per one hundred thousand of taxable value. This provides the current EMS district with $1.2 million annually.
The proposed levy rate would increase from twelve hundredths percent (.00012) to thirty six hundredths percent (.000359) beginning in fiscal year 2025.
This would increase annual property tax from $12 per one hundred thousand of taxable value to $36.23 per one hundred thousand of taxable value.
The annual budget of the new Valley Countywide EMS District would increase from $1.2 million to $4.06 million in the first fiscal year (2025).
This budget will fund staffing, equipment, and maintenance of EMS services for all communities in Valley County. 85% of the budget will go toward personnel costs.
Get detailed information about how this creates a separate, sustainable funding model for EMS services.
For Comparison:
- Monthly Trash Service Cost: $50.24
- Monthly Netflix Subscription: $15.49
- Average Monthly Expenditure on Coffee: $37 (men) – $44 (women) (source)
A Levy-Based Tax System
Under this system, the amount of property tax levied is based on the budgeted amount to provide services, not assessed value. Meaning that each district sets an annual budget, and the actual levy rate is determined by the budget NOT the assessed value in the county.
Statute also prohibits taxing authorities (in this case the EMS district) from increasing annual budgets beyond 3% annually.
Get an in-depth look at how our county levy system works and how your assessed value and property tax work within this levy-based system on the Valley County GIS tool
Get an in-depth look at how our county levy system works and how your assessed value and property tax work within this levy-based system on the Valley County GIS tool
