By Kerri Sandaine, Reporter
Lewiston Tribune
CLARKSTON, Wash. — The Clarkston City Council heard from a packed house Monday night about its recent decision to cut emergency medical services from the 2026 budget.
Four paramedic firefighters facing pink slips, two retired firefighters and several concerned residents urged the council to reconsider the plan, saying it’s dangerous for the community and could cause home and commercial insurance costs to go up in the city.
| EARLIER: Wash. voters reject EMS levy, putting ambulance service at risk
Councilors said they’re still working on the issue and remain at the bargaining table with the professional firefighters union. If the city and union come to an agreement, the ambulance service could be rescued.
However, it’s still unclear how EMS will function in the coming months. The pending layoffs go into effect Jan. 30 if a solution isn’t found by then.
The people who turned out for the meeting spoke in favor of saving the services and admonished the council for not having a contingency plan in case the levy failed. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal during the general election Nov. 4.
Joha Grant, of Clarkston, said he was shocked to read about the council’s decision last week. “To be blunt, you’re killing Clarkston residents,” he told the council. “Your inaction in this situation is disappointing and shameful.”
After the majority of people voted “no” to a massive property tax increase to fund these services, councilors decided the only other solution was to eliminate EMS and fire almost half of the staff at the fire department, Grant said.
“For many years, as costs have risen, the funding for EMS was essentially a ticking time bomb. Eventually, the cost of running the department would spike to the point where Clarkston voters would become tired of footing the bill,” Grant said, and that’s what happened. The other alarming aspect is that there’s no backup plan in place, he said.
Officials are in the process of contacting neighboring jurisdictions to possibly provide ambulance service in Clarkston. In addition, the city may run the EMS levy again next summer, but funding wouldn’t start flowing until 2027.
Former city councilor Kelly Blackmon said contracting with Asotin County or Lewiston for EMS was on the front burner in 2016.
“Looks like you’ll be getting your wish,” he said to past supporters of the plan.
Blackmon and several other speakers thanked Councilors Sarah Reaves and Skate Pierce for voting in favor of keeping EMS at last week’s special meeting. Each statement from the public drew cheers from the audience.
City attorney Todd Richardson clarified comments concerning federal funds that were distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic. None of that money could be used for EMS, he said.
Retired firefighter Rolin Heytvelt said a lack of volunteers has driven up costs. In the past, the department relied on volunteers to augment the paid staff, but that’s no longer an option because of lack of participation from the public.
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Heytvelt and others warned officials about insurance ratings that are based on response times, saying the costs could skyrocket if the city loses its standing.
Ryder Magnaghi, one of the firefighters facing a Jan. 30 layoff, said he holds the city accountable for failing to make sure EMS is funded. Voters didn’t reject the levy to get rid of the ambulance service, he said. They voted against a steep increase in property taxes.
Clarkston residents shouldn’t be punished because the council didn’t do its job, Magnaghi said.
Paramedic firefighters Eldon Kelley, Katie Holm and Max Bausch, who also got layoff notices, spoke about their love of serving the public in their chosen careers and implored the council to undo the drastic choice to get rid of EMS.
“Your decision will have far-reaching repercussions,” said Bobby Marsh, union president.
During a public hearing on the 2026 budget, Clerk Rachel Frost said about $6 million is projected in revenues for the general fund, and expenses are expected to run about $7.7 million. Those numbers could change, depending on negotiations.
The four department heads opted to take no raises next year. Public works employees will get 3%, and fire and police wages are still unknown.
Sanitation rates are going up by 3% in 2026, and property taxes will be 1% higher.
As a cost-saving measure, the purchase of a new fire engine has been removed from the budget, Frost said.
The council will hear the first reading of the budget ordinance at its Dec. 8 meeting.
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