By Dan Thesman on Thursday, July 11th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla County Fire District No. 4 will ask voters to consider raising the fire levy rate on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot.
If approved by voters, the levy would fund up to three additional firefighter/paramedics to reduce response times, replace aging apparatus, and help renovate Station 41 to support the health and safety of firefighters.
The district is asking voters to consider raising the fire levy rate $0.38, from $0.88 to $1.26 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
According to the fire district, revenue from the current fire levy is not keeping up with costs to provide emergency services. Costs increase four to five percent each year, while the fire district is limited by state law to just a one percent revenue increase annually.
Two public meetings will be held at Station 41, 2251 Howard Street. The first is Tues., July 23 at 7 p.m. and the other will be Sat., July 27 at 9 a.m. Learn more at https://wwfire4.com/ or call Fire Chief Rocky Eastman at 509-529-1282.