IN KEEPING WITH EAST PIERCE'S MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT the Budget and Finance Division continually reviews and analyzes its finances and budget performance to ensure that district residents receive maximum value and service from their fire service.

The Budget and Finance Division works closely with the State Auditor’s office, which performs an annual accountability report to review budget compliance. The department chose to have the analysis performed annually, rather than the minimum cycle of every three years. This gives the department the opportunity to continually update and improve its accounting practices on a timely basis.

Major sources of funding include personal property taxes, which make up 84 percent of funds; followed by EMS transport fees, in which the department bills third-party payors such as private insurance companies, Medicare, etc.

In line with most departments, 72 percent of department costs went toward employee salary and benefits. Repair and maintenance costs for maintaining ten stations, and more than forty vehicles continue to rapidly increase, along with fuel and other fire and EMS supplies.

In 2008, the department’s final operating budget was $18,770,044.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue welcomes our new Director of Finance Gary Smalling.

Smalling worked for six years as the Accounting Manager for the City of Bellingham. Most recently he served as the Finance Director for the City of Enumclaw.

East Pierce hired Smalling to fill the new position in order to help oversee a budget that has become increasingly complicated after several mergers and rapid growth. Previously the position was held by various East Pierce assistant fire chiefs.

He will look for ways to improve efficiencies, save money and make long-term forecasts in order to better plan for the future, something that is especially important with the downturn in the economy. Hiring Smalling will help the fire district take even better care of the taxpayer’s investment.