BEND, OR -- Bend Fire and Rescue has a math problem, says Fire Chief Todd Riley, "The cost of us doing our business is outpacing our revenue. At the same time, the demands for our service are increasing." The department plans to ask voters to approve an increased operating levy next May. But first, they’ll measure the current level of support for such a request. 

Riley tells KBND News a phone survey is now underway in Bend and the surrounding Rural Fire District, "The more that we can help the community understand what we do, the better chance we have of the community supporting us. So, part of this survey is, yes, to gauge voter interest in supporting our levy. But also, we’re going to gauge what the community knows about Bend Fire and Rescue and the services we provide." He says a third-party survey company is calling residents this week, "How much do they know about Bend Fire & Rescue? How likely are they to support our levy if it were to be on the ballot right now? And then, they would ask questions that dive deeper into our operations. ‘Did you know that Bend Fire and Rescue –?’ and then fill in the blank." The survey takes about 15 minutes and runs through Saturday.

Chief Riley says determining what the public knows about the agency will also help shape messaging once the levy is on the ballot, "We have to pass this levy. And, speaking in terms the community understands with the issues that they care about, is the best way to get support for this ask. I mean, we’re asking the community to increase funding for the fire department because our services depend, and they're essential for the voters to pass it."

The current tax rate of 20 cents per thousand dollars of assessed taxable value hasn’t changed since 2014. Riley tells KBND News increasing it to 81 cents will catch up with the city’s growth and fund firefighters for the new Pilot Butte Fire Station, which currently only houses medics. The 61-cent increase is estimated to cost the average Bend homeowner $12 more per month, and $17 more a month for the average home in the surrounding rural fire protection district. 

He says a new levy would not take effect until 2024, when the existing levy expires.