Fire Levy To Go On Ballot

Sat., Sept. 23, 2000

By Trinity Hartman trinityh@spokesman.com

Spokane Valley Fire District commissioners unanimously approved putting a $8.352 million maintenance and operations levy before voters in November.

The levy would make up about half of the district’s budget for 2002.

The rest of the funding comes from regular property taxes.

The levy before voters at the general election in November would be $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Voters approved by 82 percent a $7.7 million levy in March for the district’s 2001 budget. The levies need 60 percent approval to pass.

The November levy includes money to buy a new pumper truck to replace a 1982 Seagrave currently used as a reserve truck.

Valley Fire’s assistant chief, Mark Grover, said the district would like to have funding to replace trucks every 12 to 15 years, when they still have resale value. That isn’t always possible, Grover said.

“If we sell them after 15 years, they’re still worth a fair amount of money. When they get to 20 years, they’re pretty much scrap,” Grover said.

The new pumper truck would cost approximately $360,000.

The budget will also provide money for two new staff vehicles and a second set of pants and coats for firefighters.

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