When Des Moines-area voters go to the polls in the Sept. 20 primary election, they will be asked if they want to merge Fire District 26 with the Federal Way Fire Department.

The proposal to combine the Des Moines and Federal Way departments into a single agency, - South King Fire and Rescue - is also on the ballot in Federal Way.

If Proposition 2 wins approval, Fire District 26 will cease to exist as a separate entity.

The merger would take effect on Jan. 1.

According to the King County voters' pamphlet, the merger would increase service and efficiency.

But there would be no change in the fire protection tax rate. The current property tax rate in both districts of $1.50 per $1,000 of assesed valuation would be maintained.

While administrative, fleet and maintenance services would be combined, the Des Moines fire station immediately would have more firefighters and a chief officer on duty 24 hours a day.

Des Moines residents also would benefit from Federal Way's low fire insurance rates.

Proposition 1 would authorize Des Moines Fire District 26 to continue its current property tax levy.

This level of funding "is necessary to maintain the current level of services, firefighter staffing, equipment and facilities," the voters' pamphlet stated.

Voter approval is required by Initiative 747.

Des Moines' funding share if Fire District 26 merges with the Federal Way department is based on the levy.