Taxpayer funding for countywide emergency medical services (EMS) in King County is continuing for the period of 2020 to 2025.

A ballot measure approved by 79 percent of voters who cast ballots in the general election in November replaces an expiring Medic One levy that funded the EMS system for the past six years.

The support from voters ensures that King County residents “have access to lifesaving help in an emergency medical situation,” said County Councilman Reagan Dunn.

The new Medic One levy is a property tax of 26.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which will cost the owner of a $500,000 home approximately $133 a year, or seven cents less than the rate of the previous levy, officials said.

Medic One handles all 9-1-1 emergency calls within the county and provides EMS for 2.2 million people countywide. It has been supported by property taxes since 1979.