Proposition 1 - SeaTac Police, Fire, and Emergency Services Funding

Proposition 1 will be on the November 3 ballot to ensure we keep the SeaTac police, fire, and emergency services funded for the long term! Read on to find out more.

Current Funding

The City of SeaTac contracts for police and fire protection through the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority — the City’s two largest and fastest-growing costs. Property tax hasn’t kept pace with inflation since 2009, and it only covers SeaTac’s 32,000 residents, even as costs for these services keep climbing.

Proposition 1 is designed to maintain SeaTac’s current level of police, fire, and EMS service — not expand it — by creating a funding source that reaches everyone who uses the City, not just those who live here. Roughly 200,000 people move through SeaTac every day — landing and departing at Sea-Tac Airport, connecting through light rail, commuting on I-5 — relying on the same roads, police, and emergency response as everyone who lives here.

What Proposition 1 Costs

A one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) sales and use tax dedicated entirely to public safety — 10 cents on every $100 spent on taxable purchases in SeaTac (RCW 82.14.450).

What Proposition 1 Funds

By law, this revenue can only go to public safety — including contracted police services, dispatch, fire protection, and EMS — with at least one-third dedicated to fire protection and/or criminal justice. Those services alone are projected to cost SeaTac roughly $78 million over the 2027–2028 biennium, among the City’s largest and fastest-growing expenses.

If Rejected

The tax is not imposed. The City continues addressing the gap through its regular budget process, which may mean harder tradeoffs elsewhere.

If Approved

SeaTac gains a dedicated, ongoing funding source for public safety — reducing how much the General Fund has to cover every year and putting these services on more stable footing going forward.

How to Register

Key Dates for the November 3 General Election:

Wednesday, Oct. 14: Ballots begin mailing to registered voters. No stamp needed to return your ballot.

Monday, Oct. 26: Deadline for online registration at VoteWA.gov, or in person through Election Day at your county elections office.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day! Same-day registration and in-person voting are also available at any King County vote center. Ballots must be postmarked or in an official drop box by 8 p.m.

Ballot Drop Boxes Near SeaTac

• Angle Lake Transit Station | 19955 28th Avenue South, SeaTac

• Valley View Library | 17850 Military Road South, SeaTac

• Burien Town Square Park | 480 Southwest 152nd Street, Burien

• Highline College | 2400 South 240th Street, Des Moines (drive-up box)

For the full list of drop boxes, or to check your registration, visit King County Elections at kingcounty.gov/elections.