EMS Levy Has Passed

West Richland voters have passed the levy that will bring emergency medical services to Benton County Fire District #4. The election results page shows the measure passing 64% to 36% with only 25 ballots left to count, so it’s a done deal.

The levy asked for 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to be added to residents’ property taxes. For a home valued at $150,000, the levy will cost about $6 to $7 per year. According to the Fire District’s web site, here’s what passage of the levy means:

• 24 hour, 7 days a week staffing with trained fire fighters/EMS personnel.
• Response time of 5 minutes or less to 90% of EMS calls for service.
• Help the District to meet national standards for EMS care.
• Quicker delivery time to definitive care.
• Low/No direct cost for actual transportation for citizens living with in the District.
• Purchase of ambulance and remodel to station for storing ambulance.
• Citizens have a voice to the Commissioners who direct and make policy about ambulance service.

In a nutshell, it means BCFD #4 will begin providing round-the-clock trained staffing of local EMS/ambulance services. No more waiting for an ambulance to arrive from Richland or Benton City.

Cari and I aren’t generally fans of higher taxes, but this is one we’re glad to pay.

Thank you for reading this article on the West Richland Real Estate Blog. If you arrived here looking for specific real estate information, or would like to speak with a friendly, fun, professional, and low-pressure real estate agent, please contact Cari via her web site or call her directly at 509 – 430 – 5342 and she’ll be glad to help. Thanks again for visiting!