Benton Fire District 4 holding sessions on property tax extension

Benton Fire District 4 is offering three information sessions to help voters, who will receive ballots soon, learn more about a proposed permanent property tax extension for emergency medical services.

The meetings are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. July 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. July 21 and from 10 to 11 a.m. July 23 at the Benton Fire District 4 station, 2604 Bombing Range Road in West Richland.

Voters will have until Aug. 2 to cast their ballots.

The tax, a six-year levy that expires this year, has served as a primary source of revenue for the department. Voters first approved it in 2010 and it will expire at the end of the year if not renewed.

Though the current rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value would not go up if approved by voters, the tax would become permanent.

“Everybody gets scared of the P-word — permanent,” said Bill Whealan, the district’s fire chief.

The money helps keep staff on board and basic equipment working, but does not do much for long-term planning, Whealan said.

His main concern is that the fire district’s emergency medical services, which cover an area around 52 square miles, would lose funds needed for staff and timely response to medical calls.

As a separate entity, Benton Fire District 4 does not receive any additional money from the cities of Richland or West Richland.

“We try to apply for grants whenever we can,” said A.J. Hill, Benton Fire District 4 commissioner. “We have no other funds.”

Any grants that they have applied for so far would have to be repaid in full if the levy tax measure fails, Hill said.

For more information, residents can call 509-967-2496 or go to bcfd4.org.

This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Benton Fire District 4 holding sessions on property tax extension."