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Two Fire District Levies On Spokane County August Ballot

Spokane County Fire District 10

Two fire levies are on the August 4 primary election ballot in Spokane County.

 

In Fire District 10, which covers much of the West Plains, voters are asked to approve a 10-year levy focused on medical services.

 

The measure would fund medical supplies and a medical officer, two firefighters, and one chief officer, as well as dispatch services. It would also pay for up to 15 volunteer firefighters to take emergency medical training a year.

 

The levy is not a new tax, but would renew an existing levy. It would authorize a $.50 charge per $1,000 value of a home. For a $150,000 house the rate would be $75 a year.

 

In Fire District 2, which covers the town of Fairfield and the surrounding area, voters are being asked to approve a similar 6-year levy to fund emergency medical services. Fire district chief Eric Olson says it will help fund more training for personnel, and while it won't fund any new equipment, it will be used to maintain the district's existing gear.

 

That levy will also renew an existing tax, to the tune of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed home value. That would be $225 per year for the owner of a $150,000 home.

 

Steve was part of the Spokane Public Radio family for many years before he came on air in 1999. His wife, Laurie, produced Radio Ethiopia in the late 1980s through the '90s, and Steve used to “lurk in the shadowy world” of Weekend SPR. Steve has done various on air shifts at the station, including nearly 15 years as the local Morning Edition host. Currently, he is the voice of local weather and news during All Things Considerd, writing, editing, producing and/or delivering newscasts and features for both KPBX and KSFC. Aside from SPR, Steve ,who lives in the country, enjoys gardening, chickens, playing and listening to music, astronomy, photography, sports cars and camping.