PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION NOTICE
What Question 1 Could Mean for Fire Protection Services in Jefferson County
For those of us who serve in Jefferson County’s fire protection districts, our days begin much like yours. We get children ready for school, manage household expenses, and work to make ends meet in the face of rising costs. We understand the importance of financial stability for families in our community.
On the April 7, 2026 ballot, Question 1 proposes a property tax credit for eligible homeowners beginning with the 2028 tax year. The measure would limit how much a home’s taxable value can increase for property tax purposes.
Property taxes are the primary funding source for fire protection districts throughout Jefferson County. These funds support staffing, training, fuel, apparatus maintenance, equipment replacement, protective gear, and emergency readiness.
Under the current implementation, Jefferson County is at 0% growth on the affected homestead property tax base. In simple terms, that means revenue from those properties would remain flat.
While revenues may be limited under this measure, the cost of providing fire protection and rescue services continues to rise. Fuel, protective equipment, vehicle replacement, insurance, and training expenses increase each year. At the same time, Jefferson County continues to grow. New homes, expanding neighborhoods, and increased traffic result in more calls for service and greater demand on fire districts.
Our intent in sharing this information is not to influence how anyone votes. Rather, we believe residents deserve clear and transparent information about how fire protection services are funded and the challenges fire districts face in maintaining readiness.
We remain committed to being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Regardless of the outcome of Question 1, firefighters and rescue personnel will continue to answer calls for help — day or night, in every season, and in every emergency.
Understanding the realities behind fire protection funding helps our community plan for the future and ensures Jefferson County remains a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.
Join thousands of Jefferson County residents already reading The Jefferson Review.
Don’t miss the local government decisions, development updates, and community stories shaping our county every Thursday and Sunday.