Fire BOC prepares budget

Orcas fire BOC met Tuesday, Oct. 27 for their regular meeting. The budget for 2010, which is due to the county by the end of the month, was discussed.

"To me, it seems completely manageable," commissioner Barbara Bedell said. "There are some external factors that come up that we can't control, like insurance, but I'm encouraged."

Financial officer Rick Anda referenced a 19 percent increase from their health insurance provider as a factor influencing next year's budget.

"We're making reductions in it and trying to keep the increase as small as possible," Anda said. "The big factor is the economy."

The budget, which is in its third revision, is slated to be approved by the BOC at the next meeting.

Commissioner Clyde Duke told the Islands' Sounder the only item outstanding on Orcas Fire strategic plan which would use levy funds is the construction of the Deer Harbor fire station. Duke is hoping the Commission will soon post a one-page document to inform the public that summarizes the BOC's completed projects in addition to the documents already available on orcasfire.org.

Duke said the next meeting was critical to complete the budget as costs have gone up dramatically, but was encouraged.

"I'm real happy," Duke said. "It's looking good."

"We are sharpening our pencils and getting down reasonably close," commissioner Jim Coffin said. "There are some areas I want to study a little more carefully."

The next Orcas Fire BOC meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Eastsound fire hall.