Voters will have the option to approve a $3.75 million Maintenance and Operations levy for South King Fire and Rescue in the Aug. 4 primary election.

Proposition 1 on the primary election ballot is the M&O levy of a general tax on the taxable property within the district of $3,750,000 — which is approximately $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to be collected first in 2021 and for three consecutive years after.

The levy, if approved, allows the department to make capital equipment expenditures, maintain operations capabilities, and avoid a reduction of firefighter employees. The levy may also be used in various maintenance and operational expenditures for basic fire and life protection needs.

The levy will authorize the district to tax residents 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2021, 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in 2022, 17 cents in 2023 and 16 cents in 2024.

South King Fire and Rescue provides fire protection, life safety and basic life support to approximately 100,000 people over roughly 40 square miles. The department also provides specialized services in technical and water rescue, hazardous materials, fire prevention, safety education and fire investigation.

The department’s service areas include Federal Way, Des Moines and a portion of unincorporated King County. South King Fire comprises more than 150 members.