Vashon’s fire department has balanced its budget for next year with funds set aside to see it through a major transition in its paramedic program, which could happen as soon as next summer.
Hank Lipe, chief of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR), called the spending plan for 2015, which he presented to the fire board last week, lean but responsible. He carved $200,000 out of the $4.7 million budget for a reserve fund to tide the department over should the paramedic change come mid-year, a move that will create a $400,000 annual shortfall.
“The issue isn’t about the district’s financial position. It’s about improving service to the island,” Lipe said, adding that he feels VIFR can handle the budget hit.
The fire board had few comments on the proposed budget at its meeting on Nov. 25. The four commissioners present decided to wait until all five could be there to vote on the plan. There is no immediate deadline to pass a budget.
“I wish it wasn’t as tight as it is, but Hank has done a good job figuring out how to allocate the funding,” said commissioner Candy McCullough in an interview after the meeting. “I’m a little nervous about the future of being where we are with no spare money.”
VIFR will see slightly more revenue in 2015, as rising property values mean about 1 percent more funding from the countywide Medic One levy and local fire levy, which provide about $2.3 million each.
Earlier this year, however, the department moved forward on a plan to absorb Vashon’s eight paramedics into the South King County Medic One system. VIFR will give up its Medic One funding and in return will see a rotating crew of paramedics based in south King County, a plan officials believe will strengthen medical response on Vashon.
The department will save money by no longer managing paramedics, but will lose about $400,000 in funds that covered other overhead costs. The change was expected to happen as soon as January, but progress has been delayed at the county level, and now officials say they won’t be ready to transition until July at best.
John Herbert, chief of King County Medic One, said the county still intends to move forward but is waiting on approval from the Office of Labor Relations to begin union negotiations.
“They can be extremely slow,” he said, adding that there aren’t any issues, but staff in that office are busy.
Lipe said he found $200,000 to hold in reserve largely by not replacing the department’s administrative assistant. The last administrative assistant resigned this year for personal reasons, and VIFR will hire a firm to perform most of the financial work that went along with that position, which is expected to save about $65,000 a year. There are also small cuts to other parts of the budget, Lipe said, and VIFR will hold off on any capital projects next year.
The proposed budget maintains staffing levels for responders and includes a 1.5 percent pay increase for non-union employees. Union workers, including firefighters and paramedics, are still negotiating their pay. VIFR will also continue to carry $1.4 million in a rainy day reserve.
Lipe said he is not yet sure how the department will budget for the paramedic change in the future, but it recently began a strategic planning process that will help determine that.
As part of that process, VIFR officials will ask the public to consider the department’s financial situation and whether the station should actually add responders. Medical emergencies have increased significantly in recent years, Lipe said, while paid staffing has changed little. Adding staff would likely mean raising taxes, though Lipe said there could be other options. There will be meetings on the topic next year.
“I think the community needs to better understand what service we deliver and give us feedback on their expectations, the level of risk they’re willing to take, and what they’re willing to fund,” Lipe said.
The fire board will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
