South Metro Fire Rescue 2025 Ballot Measure Survey

Magellan Strategies is pleased to present the topline results of an online survey of 2,003 registered voters in the South Metro Fire Rescue District. The interviews were conducted from January 27th to February 4th, 2025.

Voters in the South Metro Fire Rescue District expressed very strong familiarity with and confidence in the agency. Nearly three-quarters were familiar with South Metro’s services, and approval of its performance providing fire protection, ambulance, and emergency medical services was exceptionally high at 84%. A majority also agreed the district was fiscally responsible, though many were unsure whether South Metro currently had sufficient financial resources to maintain acceptable service levels. Nearly half believed fire risk in their community had increased over the past five years, and more than two-thirds said the need for ambulance and emergency medical services had increased during that time.

Voters showed broad openness to additional funding for South Metro Fire Rescue. More than two-thirds said they would support a modest tax increase in concept to create additional funding for the district. In initial ballot testing, a 0.5% sales and use tax increase received strong support, with 66% saying they would vote yes, compared with 24% opposed. A 3-mill property tax increase also received majority support at 57%, though opposition was higher. When asked to choose between the two options, voters clearly preferred the sales tax, with nearly half selecting it over the property tax, while fewer than one in six preferred the property tax option.

Support for new revenue strengthened substantially after voters reviewed detailed information about the district’s needs. Large majorities said they were more likely to approve a funding measure after learning about rapid population growth within the district, rising demand for emergency services, and the need to maintain adequate staffing levels to ensure safe response times. Information about the unintended impacts of recent state property tax legislation—resulting in an estimated $270 million revenue reduction over ten years—was particularly persuasive, making three-quarters of voters more likely to support a ballot measure.

Messages about operational pressures and rising costs also strongly increased support. Majorities became more likely to approve new funding after learning about increased call volumes, inflation-driven increases in the cost of fire engines and ambulances, deferred facility maintenance, and the need to build, remodel, or relocate stations to keep pace with growth. Warnings that budget shortfalls could lead to reduced crew sizes, station closures, longer response times, and diminished wildfire response capacity moved roughly three-quarters of voters toward supporting additional revenue.

In the informed ballot test, support for the 0.5% sales tax increased to 73%, with fewer than one in five opposed. Support for the 3-mill property tax also increased, reaching 61%, though it continued to trail the sales tax option. Voters cited public safety, emergency response readiness, wildfire risk, trust in South Metro Fire Rescue, and support for first responders as primary reasons for supporting a tax increase. Many referenced personal experiences with the department and concern about maintaining high service standards as the district grows.

Opposition to new funding centered on affordability and trust concerns. Opponents cited tax fatigue, rising costs of living, and skepticism about government spending and administrative efficiency. Some argued the district should reallocate existing funds, reduce perceived waste, or seek alternative funding sources rather than raise taxes. Among voters opposed to the property tax option, a smaller capital-only property tax increase received little support, with a majority still voting no. Overall, the survey showed overwhelming confidence in South Metro Fire Rescue and strong voter support—especially for a sales tax measure—to maintain staffing, infrastructure, and emergency response capacity amid growing demand and fiscal pressures.

Voters who preferred a sales tax over a property tax cited greater personal control over their tax burden, the equitable spread of costs across renters, visitors, and non-property owners, and frustration with already rising property taxes. Fixed-income residents, particularly seniors, viewed the sales tax as more manageable since spending could be adjusted to reduce its impact. By contrast, those who preferred a property tax expressed concern that sales taxes were regressive and disproportionately burdensome on lower-income individuals, and argued that property owners—as the primary beneficiaries of fire protection services—should bear a larger share of the cost. Some also raised concerns that a higher sales tax could discourage local consumer spending and harm area businesses.