The South Whidbey Fire/EMS Board of Commissioners OK’d the 2017 budget with no qualms at the monthly commissioners meeting Thursday night.
Chief Rusty Palmer presented the budget to a nearly full room occupied by commissioners, deputy chiefs, paid and volunteer firefighters and district staff.
The overall budget, which is $2.7 million, shows a 3 percent decrease from last year, despite wage hikes for 10 of the lowest paid employees. There is a surplus of $80,000, which Palmer said is a “good place to be.”
Personnel costs increased 3 percent as a result of the wage hikes and newly added part time firefighters, while operations costs decreased 10 percent from the 2016 budget.