Walla Walla County Fire District No. 5 levy fails
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
BURBANK – Walla Walla County Fire District No. 5 in Burbank had hoped to pass a levy on the Nov. 7 ballot to maintain current services, hire up to four new firefighters, upgrade equipment, and make renovations. However, the measure, which would have also increased property taxes, failed.
The Walla Walla County Elections Department’s results show 461 people voted against the levy and 455 people voted in favor.
Fire Chief Mike Wickstrom said the district will now have to get more creative with financing and budgeting as the area it serves continues to grow and the calls of service increase.
Wickstrom said the Port of Walla Walla continues to work on expand economic development in the area, and added that new housing developments are moving in.
The district had asked voters on Nov. 7 to consider a 24-cent increase that would have raised the fire levy rate to $1.38 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Thirty years ago, voters approved a fire levy of $1.50. Since then, the rate has dropped to $1.14.
