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YAKIMA FIRE DEPARTMENT Meeting Si 2 23 55 Administration
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MEMORANDUM
August 21, 2023
To: Bob Harrison
City Manager
Cc: City Councilmembers
From: Aaron Markham
Fire Chief
Re: Union Gap Interlocal Agreement to provide Fire Protection Services
Mr. Harrison,
This memo is a summary of the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Yakima and the City of Union
Gap for fire protective services.
In 2014, the cities of Yakima and Union Gap entered into an interlocal agreement for fire protection
services. This agreement went in to effect on January 1, 2015, with an expiration date of December 31,
2017. This agreement was approved by Resolution No. R-2014-140. The fees for this service started
at $1,183,407 in 2015 and increased by an annual inflationary rate of 2.5% each year with the final rate
for this contract costing $1,243,317.
Prior to the expiration date of the first contract, Fire Chief Stewart (Ret.) and Police Chief Cobb (Union
Gap) began working on contract negotiations. They compared the cost of hiring more full-time
firefighters vs. increasing the fees to cover overtime. These calculations were based on a staffing model
of having one company officer and two firefighters per shift at this station. This means any time
someone is off for any reason, Kelly Day, vacation, or sick leave, it will result in an overtime situation.
They agreed to increase the amount of money allocated to cover overtime from $84,000 to $142,000.
The total increase in cost from 2017 to 2018 was $196,980, which included a 2.5% annual increase.
Below were the rates for the 2018 through 2020 contract:
• 2018 = $1,440,297
• 2019 = $1,476,305
• 2020 = $1,513,212
We will provide all-risk emergency and non-emergency services to our community
We are committed to serving with courage and compassion as stewards of public trust
We shall leave a positive and genuine impact on all who call upon us
In 2020, a new contract was approved by resolution R-2020-067. The new contract reflected an
increase of 5.5% in 2021, 5.5% in 2022, 5.5% in 2023, 3.5% in 2024, and 3% in 2025. Below are the
rates for the new/current contract:
• 2021 = $1,596,439
• 2022 = $1,684,244
• 2023 = $1,776,878
• 2024 = $1,839,069
• 2025 = $1,894,242
What is not reflected in the overall cost of operating this station is the capital expenses. Union Gap
owns the fire station and leases it to the City of Yakima for a $1.00. They pay for all the utility expenses,
power, water, sewer and garbage, at an estimated cost of$13,000 a year. The also set aside $180,000
a year for capital improvements and apparatus replacement. During my five years here, they have
remodeled half of the fire station to provide individual dorm rooms and restroom facilities on the East
side of the station. In 2021, they purchased a new wildland urban interface fire engine that was capable
of fighting both structure and wildland fires at the cost of $485,000 plus approx. $50,000 in hose and
tools. They've replaced the asphalt aprons on the North side of the station with concrete and provided
increased outside storage with the construction of their new PD evidence storage building. They will
also be receiving delivery of a new KME fire engine in 2024 that is nearly identical to the YFD fire
engine specification and costs $694,000 plus an estimated $50,000 in hose and tools that has already
been ordered. I state all this because, as part of the contract, the Yakima Fire Chief has complete
discretion as to the order of response to calls, and shall be the sole judge as to the most expeditious,
efficient and effective manner of handling and responding to calls for service or the rendering thereof.
In summary, here is a high-level view of the 2024 expenditure versus fees for service comparison.
Using the restricted payroll budget report, which covers the actual anticipated cost of salaries and all
benefits, the cost of one Captain, two Lieutenants, and six firefighters comes to $1,424,859.41. The
revenue we will receive from Union Gap in 2024 is $1,839,069. The revenue from Union Gap minus
the cost of personnel, not including overtime, leaves a balance of$411,209.59. This amount is allocated
to overtime, 50% of the salary of one (1) Community Risk Reduction Specialist, fuel, supplies, etc.
Respectfully,
Aaron Markham
Fire Chief