Both candidates for the Brinnon Precinct 204 commission want to ensure that money raised in an emergency medical service levy voters passed in August is spent properly.
Mike Eastman, 61, of Brinnon and a retired member of the Boeing Fire Department, is challenging incumbent Kenneth L. McEdwards, 47, of Brinnon, a camp director at Camp Parsons, Boy Scouts of America, in Tuesday’s general election.
The six-year levy will generate about $130,000 annually to hire a full-time paramedic and improve EMS services to the district’s 3,200 residents when it is implemented in April.
The EMS budget will total about $172,000 when timber taxes, investment interest and ambulance fees are added.
The district’s $261,000 fire services budget for 2009 now covers EMS costs, taking a 72 percent chunk of fire services revenue. With the EMS levy, the fire budget will be relieved of that burden.
Eastman said he intends to make sure the recently approved EMS levy is properly spent.
He said he doesn’t want to see it go toward unneeded equipment and salary increases.
“I have, over the course of a 40-year career, established records in successfully managing major projects and budget planning,” Eastman said.
“I will use my experience and willingness to bring a more fiscally responsible approach to the way District 4 currently does business.”
McEdwards said that, if elected, he would continue to manage the Brinnon fire district so that its finances stay in the black.
“I have served the past eight years as fire commissioner,” McEdwards said.
“I efficiently manage a large budget in my current occupation and have helped manage Brinnon’s fire district budget in weak economic times.
“Since I have been a fire commissioner, the fire district has always operated in the black.”
The board position is a six-year term.
Registered voters in Brinnon Precinct 204 can vote in the election.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
