Benefit Service Charge
Who We Are
King County Fire District 45 (Duvall Fire) serves approximately 14,000 residents over 50 square miles. Effective January 1, 2025, our Board of Fire Commissioners approved a 10-year contract for fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS) with Eastside Fire & Rescue. Contracting for emergency services increases operational efficiency and is more cost-effective for taxpayers.
Both local stations remain open and fully staffed, and Duvall Fire continues to be an independent fire district governed by locally-elected fire commissioners. We own our capital assets, including fire stations and emergency vehicles, ensuring continued investment in our community’s safety.
How We Are Funded
Emergency services in our district are funded through two primary sources.
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Fire Levy: A tax based on a property’s assessed value.
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Fire Benefit Charge: An assessment based on a structure’s size, use, and risk. Smaller properties, such as homes, pay less than larger, higher-risk structures like commercial buildings.
In 2025, property owners served by Duvall Fire pay*:
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Fire Levy Rate: $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed property value
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Fire Benefit Charge: A 2,000 square foot home (considered average) is paying $582.78
*Seniors, disabled persons, exempt properties, and low-income households maintain any current tax exemptions they have through King County. Property owners have the opportunity to appeal their assessment each year.
Why a Fire Benefit Charge?
A fire benefit charge creates a stable and fair way to fund emergency services.
Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your home and land. This means that two houses of the same size can pay different amounts depending on the assessed value as determined by the King County Assessor’s Office.
With a fire benefit charge, the fire levy is reduced by $0.50 per $1,000 and two houses of equal size pay the same amount for the fire benefit charge regardless of their assessed value. The fire benefit charge is an assessment based on a structure’s size, use and risk. Smaller buildings, such as residential homes, pay less than higher-risk properties, such as large commercial or industrial buildings.
This model diversifies funding and ensures continued reliable response times and high-quality emergency services. This is why more than two dozen Washington communities utilize a fire benefit charge.
Fire Benefit Charge Is Up for Renewal
In 2019, Duvall voters approved a fire benefit charge that will expire at the end of this year. The Board of Fire Commissioners is asking voters to consider renewing the fire benefit charge for another six years on the April 22, 2025, special election ballot.
Questions? Contact Fire Chief Ben Lane at financegroup@esf-r.org or (425) 313-3200.
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Square Footage Calculation Guide​
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