Fire district in Lacey to reduce staffing

Budget woes will force Lacey Fire District 3 to reduce its daily staffing as early as June 1, likely increasing its response times to fires and requests for basic medical aid.

The district's board of fire commissioners announced Monday that the staffing would be cut to 13 firefighters per day from 16.

The district likely will close one of its three staffed substations, as well, they said.

"This is a very difficult decision for us," said Frank Kirkbride, board chairman, in a news release. "Our operational costs — costs for fuel, utilities, health care benefits for our personnel, and other operational costs — continue to outpace our revenue."

The district plans to scale back hours by eliminating virtually all overtime used to maintain its staffing levels. Emergency medical aid provided by Medic One would not be affected by the cutbacks because it has separate tax funding.

No layoffs are expected this year. That could change for 2009 if voters reject a so-called levy- lid lift measure that the board likely will place on the ballot in August.

"If they don't approve it, it's going to be pretty severe," Chief Jim Broman said of the potential cuts. "It's probably going to mean we're going to lose 12 to 15 people."

In 2001, voters approved an initiative that limited annual increases in property taxes levied by public agencies, including fire districts, to 1 percent, plus any new construction. Fire districts are almost entirely dependent on property taxes to pay their expenses.

Two years later, in the wake of the initiative's passage, the district shuttered two volunteer fire stations, laid off several employees, cut programs and reorganized its operation to reflect the new budget reality.

Voters approved a levy-lid lift a year later, providing the district with a fresh infusion of cash.

Under state law, fire districts can levy a property tax up to a maximum rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. With the 1 percent limitation in place, however, the levy rate gradually shrinks as the assessed value in the district grows. Voters can approve restoring the levy rate to its maximum.

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.