The East Pierce Fire and Rescue service area is getting bigger.

The residents of the City of Milton took the first step toward a formal annexation with East Pierce this past Tuesday, approving a proposition in the Aug. 17 elections to an increase in the city property tax and enter into an operational agreement with East Pierce.

The proposition – favored by 60 percent of the voters – will increase assessed valuation.

The contract with East Pierce will go into effect Jan. 1 and could last until the annexation is completed, but no more than five years.

An annexation vote could come as early as March 2011.