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 Spring Levy Requested Authorized for OVFD #18By: Rich Carr
December 12, 2012
Fire Districts across the State are feeling the effects of the economic downturn. Some Districts have already received voter authorization to collect tax or fees to offset the losses of property tax. Orting Valley Fire and Rescue must join those ranks by 2014 in order to continue to provide current service levels. The Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution at their December 4th meeting that authorized placement of a special levy on the April 23rd 2013 ballot to request voter approval. According to District officials, assessed value (AV) in the district has dropped by over 31% since 2009. Total annual revenue to the district is down $826,220 from 2009. Revenue to the district in 2009 was $2,927,414. Projected 2013 revenue is $2,101,194. According to Board Chair Shawn Mahoney the district has seen declines in revenue beginning in 2010. “We had sufficient reserves to deal with the last few years declining revenue”, said Mahoney, “but our “rainy-day” fund is running short and by 2014, we’re going to need help to keep up our current service level. Orting Valley Fire and Rescue (Pierce County Fire District #18) covers a population of 13,000 over 31 square miles including the City of Orting. The main station in Orting is the only station staffed 24 hours per day. The department has a career staff of 16 and 23 volunteers. They have at least one paramedic on duty 24 hours per day along with 3 firefighter/EMT’s. Volunteers augment the career staff by spending time on “shift” and by responding from home. The district is requesting $825,000 each year for four years beginning collection in 2014 said Paul Webb, District Fire Chief. “the $825,000 brings the district back to 2009 funding levels” said Webb. Webb said that was only possible because of “belt-tightening” the district has done. “Everyone in the department has taken some form of reduction”, said Webb, adding that career firefighters did not take planned for inflation rate increases in late 2012 or any in 2013. “Our volunteers and other staff have all either deferred increases or taken reductions to help with the revenue losses” said Webb. Orting Valley Fire and Rescue responds to 1500 calls annually with approximately 600 medic unit transports to local hospitals. For more information contact: Shawn Mahoney |
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