Clerical error puts fire district in the hole
By Terry Murry on Friday, April 7th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WEST RICHLAND – A clerical error delays $500,000 in emergency medical service funding. Benton County Fire District No. 4 Chief Paul Carlyle said the district is left scrambling. It’s all because the Benton County Assessors’ Office forgot to increase the EMS levy to the amount voters approved in the 2022 election.
Last year, voters approved a levy increase for EMS to hire three firefighters/paramedics, replace equipment and renovate the West Richland facilities. The property tax increase was scheduled to take effect in 2023 to complete these projects.
The agency passed its 2023 budget in November to meet the state mandated deadline. Due to the error, Benton County Fire District No. 4 now must rewrite its budget to account for the $500,000 loss. Also the agency is unable to hire one position and must delay replacing some emergency apparatus. The agency was in the process of replacing a fire engine; however, if bids come in higher than expected, this, too, will have to be delayed.
Carlyle acknowledged that while some property owners may rejoice in this error, they should be prepared for next year’s increase.
