EMS, fire levies win by big margins

ROYAL CITY - The voters of the Royal Slope approved emergency medical services and fire levies for Grant County Fire Districts Nos. 10/11 on Aug. 16.

The margins of victory were surprisingly large. The approval threshold was 60 percent for EMS and 50+ percent for fire. The EMS levies were approved with 79 and 80 percent. The fire levies passed with 71 and 73 percent.

"I'm really happy with the results," Department Chief Brian Evans said. "We felt like the people were really in support of our volunteers."

In addition to approving the existing level of funding for EMS, the voters increased the level of funding for fire protection. But Evans said not much will change in operations.

"This was about maintaining what we were doing," Evans said. "We're still going to be buying used trucks and equipment. We'll still run our ambulance with volunteers and our two career people."

- Staff report