Fire district 8 ballots mailed for special election

EPHRATA - Residents in Grant County Fire District 8 can decide whether they want to add two more commissioners to the Mattawa district.

Ballots were mailed to residents in a special election, approved by the Grant County commissioners, asking whether to expand the board from three people to five. 

Ballots need to be postmarked by April 26.

The special election started after a group of people circulated a petition calling for the increase, Fire Chief Dave Hargroves said. They collected signatures from 10 percent of the people who voted in the previous election.

"It is unusual," he said. "I think only four fire districts in the state have a five-man board, but we're not common down here."

He explained the change could possibly add another $2,500 in administrative costs because the district pays the board members about $100 per meeting.

"It's not going to break the bank," Hargroves said. "Whatever happens, happens. We serve the people. If the measure passes, then in the fall two positions will be open to be filled by the general election."

Richard Kummer, a district volunteer, was one of the people heading the petition. He wanted the increase so the board could be more responsive to the needs of the district.

"In a lot of cases (the board's composition) resulted in a two-against-one decision," he said. "We felt with five members that (it) would bring in a broader scope of thinking and would allow for a more thorough discussion of the issues."