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closeSaturday, Jul. 12, 2008
W. Richland EMS levy will go to polls
By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer
West Richland residents who want their fire district to start running an ambulance service will get a chance to show their support by voting in November to raise their property taxes.
Benton Fire District 4 commissioners Friday authorized putting a levy and a bond issue on the Nov. 2 general election ballot to pay for ambulances, paramedics and expansions at both fire stations.
"This is what our citizens have been asking us to do," Chief Mike Spring said. "It wasn't necessarily my pursuit or the commission's pursuit. ... This is a service the public has requested."
The district currently responds to medical emergencies but doesn't run an ambulance. That means if someone needs to go to the hospital, an ambulance is called from the Richland Fire Department or Fire District 2 in Benton City. Those who use the service then are billed by the agency that provided the transport.
Residents have said they wanted ambulance service to be quicker and cheaper.
"They realize the possible impact to their lives and would like the better level of service," Spring said. "We're really the only incorporated city that doesn't have an ambulance service."
Richland, Kennewick, Benton City and Prosser all run their own ambulances.
The EMS levy rate would be 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $80 for the owner of a $160,000 home.
The levy, if approved, would cover the cost to hire six new firefighters/paramedics, Spring said.
The 18-year, $3 million bond would pay for two ambulances and additional bays at both stations to house them.
Spring didn't have an exact estimate of the tax rate on the bond, but said it would be less than 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Residents currently pay $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire services.
The commissioners also said they don't plan to charge residents for any ambulance costs not covered by insurance.
If the levy and bond issue are approved, Spring said the goal is to begin ambulance service in West Richland within 12 months. He wants to put paramedics at the main station on Bombing Range Road and have volunteers stationed at the Grosscup Boulevard facility.
Residents have the option of approving only the EMS levy and not the bond -- the two tax issues aren't linked -- but if the bond doesn't pass, it will delay the start of the ambulance service.
"If only the levy passes, we will hire three people and (the service) will be phased in over a five-year period," Spring said. "The EMS levy will generate about $470,000 ... and just to remodel to add a bay at the main station (costs) that much."
Ambulances cost from $150,000 to $300,000, he said, not including all the supplies to stock them.
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