Vashon’s fire commissioners are poised to vote next week on the district’s 2018 budget, a $5.2 million spending plan that reflects a substantial increase in revenue following the recent levy vote.

Along with some smaller revenue streams, the increased tax revenue — currently estimated to be approximately $4.4 million next year — is intended to allow the district to increase staffing, provide funds for new aid cars and fire apparatus, and address a host of delayed maintenance and other needs at the fire district. The smaller income streams, such as $200,000 from King County for basic life support services, $65,000 from delinquent taxes projected to be paid next year, and an estimated $200,000 from ambulance transport fees, make up the balance of total forecasted revenue.

Expenses, meanwhile, are projected to total slightly more than $4.5 million, leaving the district with about $642,000 of positive revenue. Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) Chief Charlie Krimmert said he expects to bank $292,000 of that to allow the district to meet its financial responsibilities before it receives its tax revenue, which comes just twice a year, and put the remaining $350,000 in fleet, facilities and equipment accounts.

Following last week’s commissioners’ meeting, Vice Chair Brigitte Schran Brown said the budget — because of the passage of the levy — created a good foundation for the district.

“It’s given us a realistic budget to meet our operating expenses and to start steering into the future,” she said.

Personnel costs make up the lion’s share of the 2018 budget, accounting for nearly 72 percent of it. The most notable new addition is approximately $300,000 for the new program that will bring part-time paid firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to the district. In fact, nine new part-time staff start at Vashon Island in that capacity this week, bringing the total of part-time responders to XX. These are in addition to the full-time, career staff already hired following last February’s departure of the paramedics. The district hired three full-time people last year, but lost one of those. Last week, Krimmert hired two more.

With those people in place, Krimmert said the community will be better served, and routinely have five people on shift, along with members of the district leadership, who are also firefighters.

“Now we are starting to meet the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) criteria and the two-in-and-two out rule as well,” he said.

He was referring to the law that requires that two firefighters remain outside a structure if two go in — something that has not always been possible on Vashon.

Krimmert noted that the part-time paid staff will earn comparable to what they would make if they were working for a private ambulance company: $12 an hour for EMTs and $13 an hour for firefighter/EMTs. He noted that he feels badly about paying such a low wage, but added that they will benefit from the experience, making them more likely to be hired in the fire service, and it will also put them in line to be hired at VIFR, as the district will draw from this pool when it hires again. The salary level for entry-level firefighters is $61,000, a $125,000 annual expense for the district when benefits and taxes are taken into consideration. He noted that at that salary, it is difficult for career firefighters to live on the island, given its rising costs, and that currently only one of the districts XX career staff lives here.

An additional increase in the personnel category is for overtime to increase to $150,000 — $50,000 more than the 2017 budget but inline with the costs of previous years. This change will enable district leaders to call in a replacement when a career firefighter is out for any reason, thus maintaining three career staff on duty instead of two.

Training costs are also slated to go up next year, as the district is planning on holding two training academies for volunteer firefighters, up from one this year and up from none in some recent years. TRUE. Some $12,000 is allocated for fire academy instructors, an increase of $9,500 over this year, and nearly $6,000 for fire academy materials — up from just $100 budgeted for 2017. Most people who will go through the academies will volunteer for the district, Krimmert said, although some nearby fire districts may also pay to send people.

In addition to the need for more firefighters and EMTs, fire district officials have spoken of the importance of replacing both aid cars and fire apparatus. The district’s newest aid car has more than 112,000 miles on it, a number that worries district leaders. Krimmert has budgeted $287,000 for a replacement and hopes that the commissioners will approve a bid for it after the first of the year, with delivery expected by fall 2018.

Once the aid car has been purchased, Krimmert said, he will start planning for a new fire engine, so that it could begin serving the district at the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020. It will replace an engine that is 27 years old.

Administration — or as Krimmert calls it — the cost of doing business, has seen some increases as well. Next year, it will make up about 11 percent of the district’s budget at $482,000, an increase of $63,000 over this year. Consultant fees to bill for transports is projected to cost $20,000. More than $17,000 — up from $750 this year — has been added for physicals. Krimmert noted that the district has been negligent in having those completed for its personnel and is out of compliance with industry guidelines. An IT consultant, at $24,000, has been hired to bring the district’s computer technology up to date.

“I think we mostly use carbon paper,” Krimmert said. “I am trying to get us into the 21st century.”

Over $11,000 has also been set for increased mailings and advertising — an increase of more than $7,000 over 2017, with Krimmert saying the district needs to engage with the community more than it has been.

Krimmert also noted that district officials are considering selling some of their buildings, specifically the stations at the north and south ends. They will make that determination after insurance officials visit the district in February. When they are here, they will let the district know if selling them would affect the district’s insurance rating — and thus potentially affect islanders’ home insurance premiums.

“We do not think they do, but it is to the community’s advantage that we wait a few months and figure that out,” he said.

While Krimmert has increased the district’s overall budget, the budget reflects that he has also made several cuts, such as more than $20,000 in ferry fees, $14,000 in the business office staff, $13,000 in accounting fees, $7,000 in cell phone service and $5,000 in fuel costs.

He also noted a total of $350,000 allocated to reserve accounts was a good, healthy start and would allow members of the district to start sleeping knowing that is in place.

The 2018 budget, with comparisons to the budgets of 2013 through 2017, is online, and Krimmert noted that the district will post updates quarterly, so the public can compare the projected budget to actual expenses and income.

Commissioners are expected to pass the budget at the next meeting, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Station 55 on Bank Road. The public is invited. To review the budget, see vifr.org. Go to the Minutes and Meeting tab; click on Current Minutes, scroll down to Nov. 28 and click on 4th Draft of Budget.