The Chehalis City Council on Monday night approved an increase in rates as part of an update to an interlocal agreement with the Riverside Fire Authority for fire marshal services.
The change will result in a flat rate of $10,000, or $1,666.66 a month, for Jan. 1 through June 31. The hourly rate was previously $58.83, for an annual cost of $8,584, in 2016.
The increase will impact the fire department’s budget.
According to the agenda report, Riverside Fire Authority has provided fire marshal services at a discounted rate for the past six years to reflect ongoing discussions of a merger between the authority's two departments.
With those discussions now suspended for at least a year, Riverside Fire Authority is no longer able to provide the discounted rate, according to the agenda report.