Fire district in Lacey to reduce staffing

By Christian Hill | The Olympian • Published May 13, 2008

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Since that time, the district has treaded water financially by cutting costs here and there to balance its budget each year. Voters rejected a levy-lid lift proposal two years ago. Other cost-cutting measures taken by the district since 2003 include reducing the number of fire apparatus, deferring maintenance projects, not filling vacant positions and contracting out human resource and information technology needs, Broman said.

In addition to higher costs, however, the district has far more demand for its services. Service calls have increased 20 percent in the past three years, Broman said.

Budget moves

The fire district filled a projected $1.2 million shortfall in its current-year budget using money from the sale of its old fire headquarters on Pacific Avenue. It moved into the new headquarters station in 2005.

The district paid for the construction of the new headquarters and two new fire stations, off Mullen Road Southeast and Willamette Drive Northeast, with bond money voters approved in 2000. The district hired six career firefighters to staff the Willamette Drive station with the money provided by the district, city and a federal grant.

The district learned that the shortfall in the current-year budget was larger than expected, driven by higher-than-expected fuel and utility costs, to the tune of about $500,000, Broman said. So it decided to cut daily staffing to fill the gap.

The deadline to qualify measures for the August ballot is May 27. The district's current levy is $1.04 per $1,000 of assessed value. Restoring the maximum levy rate would cost the owner of a $250,000 home $115 more each year.

The district serves 75,000 residents living in and out of the Lacey city limits. The city of Lacey contracts with the district for fire response and basic medical aid for residents within the city limits.

Christian Hill covers Lacey and the military for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5427 or at chill@theolympian.com.