10/08/2026
I’ve been seeing a lot of questions and comments about the Fire & EMS Levy, so I want to share some of the information I’ve received from the Pendleton Fire & Ambulance Department and our City budget materials.
As Mayor, my goal is to provide information and context, not tell anyone how to vote. I recognize this is a significant ask of our community, and I believe each person should have the opportunity to look at the information and decide what is best for themselves and their families.
*Why has call volume increased 64% since 2018?*
The 64% increase refers to calls for service handled by Pendleton Fire & Ambulance.
According to the Fire Department, there are several factors contributing to the increase. We are seeing more calls for medical needs, including calls that may not always require an ambulance or fire engine. Homelessness, addiction and behavioral health needs also contribute to the demand on emergency services.
Our crews are required to respond to these calls, which means more time spent on the road and less availability for the next emergency. Staffing pressures have also increased, including the need to maintain coverage when employees are out on parental or medical leave.
The City is also looking at ways to manage this demand. One example is the new Community Paramedic Program, which will allow a paramedic to work with frequent callers, address underlying needs and connect people with appropriate resources without requiring a traditional fire engine response for every non-emergency situation.
Read more about the Community Paramedic Program:
https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/pendleton-fire-and-ambulance-launches-new-community-paramedic-program-to-ease-call-volume/article_25feb840-ae31-4c85-945b-8c70eae57e28.html
*What about the City budget? Why can't we just move money from somewhere else?*
This is a fair question, and the structure of the City budget matters.
The General Fund is the primary fund available for core services like Police and Fire. Other City funds have dedicated revenue sources and specific purposes, so those dollars aren't simply available to move into the General Fund to cover other expenses.
Pendleton’s General Fund is about $23.2 million, with more than half already supporting Police and Fire. At the same time, the cost of providing these services has increased due to factors including inflation, PERS costs and staffing requirements. The City has also made reductions in other areas of the budget to manage rising costs. Each spring, the Budget Committee comes together with equal members of the Council and the public to have these discussions in open meetings.
You can review the City's adopted budget yourself here:
https://pendletonor.openbook.questica.com/
You can also read more about the proposed levy and what it would support here:
https://eastoregonian.com/2026/05/07/pendleton-fire-department-levy-supports-more-paramedics/
If you want to see what these calls actually look like, the Pendleton Fire Department posts weekly call volumes on its page, including the types and frequency of calls. I encourage you to take a look at that information directly from the department.
As a Council, we are committed to having the tough conversations about our budget, looking for efficiencies and finding ways to streamline how we provide services. That work will continue regardless of the outcome of this levy.
I know this is a big ask. That is why I believe it is important to share the information, acknowledge the different perspectives and allow each voter to make the decision that is best for them and their family.
