The Board of Fire Commissioners is planning to place a levy on the April Special Election ballot in response to budget cuts and increasing response times.

Budget cuts, including the loss of four Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians, are causing increased response times for people served by Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety.

Funding from the levy would be used to maintain the number of Firefighter/EMTs and place amedical aid car back in service for Fire District residents.

The Board invites the public to attend and comment on the proposed levy at its next meeting on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at Station 81,22225 SE 231st St. in Maple Valley.

“We are operating with $1.6 million less in revenue than three years ago, and responsetimes are starting to increase,” said Fire Chief Brad Doerflinger. “We have cut our budget and dipped into our emergency reserve fund, but we can’t keep up with the rising costs to provide emergency services.”

Last fall, the fire department’s Citizen Advisory Committee recommended that the fire department place a three-year levy on the April Special Election ballot for $1.5 million. The Board of Fire Commissioners approved this recommendation at their November meeting. The levy would cost the owner of a $300,000 home approximately $9.50 per month, or 38 cents per $1,000 of property value based on 2013 assessed valuations. This amount would be in addition to the fire levy that Fire District residents currently pay.

The Board will vote on the final levy resolution at its last meeting in February after input has been received by the public. Those who are unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to send their comments to Chief Brad Doerflinger, Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety, 22225 SE 231st St., Maple Valley, WA 98038 or by email to chief@maplevalleyfire.org.