Joe Siess is a GA reporter for the ÅÝֱܽ²¥. Joe previously reported for the Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and holds a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri.
The final results of the Nov. 7 special election are in, and tax levies supporting both the Redmond Fire & Rescue and the Crooked River Ranch Rural Fire Protection District were passed by voters, the Deschutes County Clerk's office Ìý¹ó°ù¾±»å²¹²â.
The Redmond fire levy passed by 141 votes, the county clerk's office confirmed. The final tally was 5,639 in favor, for 50.6% of the vote, and 5,498 opposed, for 49.4%.
Redmond Fire Chief Pat Dale said while he would have liked to see the levy pass by a greater margin, he still has gratitude to the voters for supporting the agency. Â
“I want to thank the voters for supporting their fire and medical emergency services here at Redmond Fire & Rescue," Dale said. "Their investment will allow Redmond Fire & Rescue to hire additional first responders that will improve response times which will enhance public safety in our community. It will also enhance the safety of our first responders.â€
Voters also passed an operations levy for the Crooked River Ranch Rural Fire Protection District, with 908 supporting the levy, for 57.8% of the vote, and 662 opposed, for 42.7%.
Fire officials in both departments said the agencies have been understaffed and struggling to keep response times low. In Redmond the tax hike will fund between nine and 12 more paid firefighter-paramedics, which fire officials said should improve the agency’s response time and bring the agency closer to par with other districts in the area.
In 2022, Redmond Fire & Rescue received 7,126 calls, a 68% increase in call volume over the past decade.Â
Joe Siess is a GA reporter for the ÅÝֱܽ²¥. Joe previously reported for the Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and holds a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri.
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