The Maple Valley City Council has often voted to support school bonds, fire levies and other local measures according to Mayor Sean P. Kelly.

The most recent decision the council made was to support the Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety fire benefit charge ballot measure. Kelly hopes the council action will have a positive impact on the city.

The council unanimously voted yes to support the benefit charge and decided it would be best for the safety of the public.

Kelley said he is not sure if the council has ever voted to support the benefit charge before, but he thinks it is an important topic of discussion.

“Because public safety is our No. 1 responsibility and with the current funding mechanism, Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety will be running out of operating funds,” Kelly said.

He said the fire department has spent just over $1 million of the reserves it has to keep things operating.

With money being the driving issue, if the benefit charge is not passed, Kelly said they will have to close down fire stations in the area, which of course will increase response times.

Kelly said with the new Tahoma High School opening this fall, Maple Valley will have 2,200 students to look after. If there is not enough fire crews to look out for them in case of an emergency, the likelihood of injury is much higher.

He said, “We have to make sure everything is covered over there.”

Kelly said he hopes the public will seriously consider voting for the benefit charge for the safety of the public.

“They (the public) know we vet out things extensively before making these decisions,” Kelly said.

According to a press release, “Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety is dedicated to serving our citizens and businesses. To fund and maintain fire district operations, it has become necessary for (the department) to use its reserves.”

As a reminder, the benefit charge is, “not a tax and is not based on property valuation, but on the cost of providing service,” Kelly said.

Kelly said the council encourages all registered voters to cast their ballots by Election Day, Aug. 1.

For more information on the FBC go to https://www.maplevalleyfire.org/maple-valley-fire/fire-benefit-charge/.

The measure must receive 60 percent yes voted to pass.