Fire district needs to lower its sights

Regarding the threats of loss of service to South Kitsap residents, we’re told the EMS levy, not to be confused with the other firefighting levy, will expire and we as taxpayers must either fund a 65 percent increase in our tax to allow the district to hire 24 additional EMTs or we will lose 30 people and close four stations.

Could have kept it at 30 cents and lived with it? Could you have planned and budgeted better?

Whether it is $60 a year or $600 a year, we expect a better accounting and limits on growth and spending, much as we taxpayers are doing due to the economic crisis.

SKFR requests a 65 percent increase and the South Kitsap School District has a $70 million request next year for its wish list.

What’s next? Will the Port of Bremerton decide to invest further in Bremerton and develop another levy or bond for a few million more for downtown or the SEED?

SKFR says they know it’s a problem, just as the school district knows its levy is a lot to ask for.

In the meantime, the taxpayer is kept standing with the pockets empty and service not much better than five years ago.

Lower your expectations and live within your budget. The taxpayer has had to cope, so must you, whether it is SKFR or SKSD, or the Port of Bremerton.

ROGER GAY

South Kitsap

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