HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFA 2015-10-14 Item 3 - Fire Benefit Charge Funding System BasicsBasics of the Fire Benefit Charge Funding System
• The Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) funding method is a voter approved, two part funding system that
balances general purpose taxes and a user fee charged to buildings based on risk and need for
service. It is called a benefit charge because it refers to the benefit of having fire protection
available.
A tax of up to $1.00 may be levied on assessed values of property and used for all day to
day operations and capital needs of the fire department.
A Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) of up to 60% of the operating budget may be assessed and
used only for day to day operational expenses such as salaries, equipment, fuel and
utilities.
• Fire Benefit Charges and property taxes are authorized under the Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) 52.26.180.
• The Fire Benefit Charge formula calculates the amount of firefighting water that would be
required to extinguish a fire(s) that could occur on a property and the number of fire
department resources that would be required to deliver that amount of water.
Required fire flow and needed firefighting resources are determined by the size and
types of improvement on a property;
Size is determined by finding the total square footage of all improvements on a
property. Total square footage is determined by adding all gross square footage
(outside measurements of building(s) and all floors, basements, garages and
mezzanine spaces are added together to determine total square footage) on the
property.
The type of improvement are defined as:
House or Condo, Apartment, Mobile home, Commercial building
• When the structural improvement(s) on a property have higher than normal risk as defined by
the National Fire Protection Association in Standard 13 the Fire Benefit Charge formula adds to
the base fire benefit charge as follows:
A 30% increase when products or uses with high combustibility or high rates of heat
release are present.
A 40% increase when products or uses with high quantities of flammable, combustible
or hazardous materials are present.
• The formula used is:
Square root of square feet x 18 x category factor x response factor x risk factor x discount x Fire Flow Benefit = FBC
18 is a coefficient value based on empirical tests by the Insurance Services Organization
(ISO)
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• Exemptions to the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC):
Senior citizens and disabled persons who have been qualified through King County for
senior and disabled discounts will receive the same discount offered on property taxes.
If you think you qualify, call the King County Exemption Unit at 206-296-3920 or visit
their website –
Improvements used specifically for religious worship or education are exempt from the
Fire Benefit Charge.
Public schools who pay a per student stipend are exempt from the Fire Benefit Charge.
Entities with a contract for service with the fire department are exempt from the Fire
Benefit Charge.
• State law requires annual public hearings prior to the next year’s rates being adopted. Every six
years, voters have the opportunity to reauthorize the Fire Benefit Charge. Hearings are held
annually in October by the Kent Regional Fire Authority Governance Board.
• Should you have any questions regarding the Fire Benefit Charge funding system, please call
253-856-4300.
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