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Yreka residents voting on new sales tax to fund volunteer fire dept.

Two white and red fire trucks sticking out of a white fire station. Signs on the trucks and the station say, "Yreka Fire Department."
Yreka Fire Department
The Yreka Fire Department station, which is over 90 years old now.

Voters in Yreka will be asked to approve a in the upcoming election to fund the city’s struggling volunteer fire department.

The city council unanimously voted to send a proposed 1% increase in sales tax to voters in the November general election. The measure will require 50%, plus one vote, for passage.

Chief Jerry Lemos joins the Exchange to discuss.

The city’s volunteer fire fighter force is burdened with burnout, as the demands for the job have drastically outpaced the expectations of a volunteer staff. The sales tax increase is expected to generate about $2.4 million annually. The funding would allow the city to hire paid fire fighters to do the full-time jobs currently being shouldered by volunteers.

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Mike Green is host of the ÀÏ·ò×Ó´«Ã½ Exchange. Mike has lived in Southern Oregon for more than two decades. He is an award-winning journalist with over 20 years experience in media, specializing in media innovation, inclusive economics and entrepreneurship.
Natalie Golay is the Senior Producer of the ÀÏ·ò×Ó´«Ã½ Exchange. She has a B.A. in Visual Arts, a multimedia certificate from the Vancouver Film school, and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. A communications professional for over 20 years, Natalie is a natural storyteller with extensive audio and video production skills.