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Moses Lake budget workshop: fire and ambulance reductions, engineering and public works staffing and program shifts
Summary
Council reviewed departmental budget highlights for 2026 including a reduced fire budget as SAFER grant funding ends, ambulance revenue uncertainty tied to Medicare, engineering staffing and project shifts, and proposed operations funding adjustments across water and other utilities.
Council members reviewed the second agenda item, Budget Workshop No. 3, where department leaders presented 2026 budget highlights and asked for direction on several staffing and program decisions.
Fire and ambulance: Chief Perillo of the Moses Lake Fire Department told the council that the 2026 fire budget reflects restructuring and the scheduled end of SAFER grant funding. "The 2026 budget reflects the conclusion of the funding for the 9 SAFER grant positions on 07/30/2026 resulting in an approximately $500,000 loss in federal funds to help offset the added cost," Perillo said. He described a departmental reorganization that transferred portions of the fire marshal duties to the building official and said the reorganization reduced wages and benefits by 16.5% from 2025 to 2026 while increasing training and services to close identified gaps. Overall, Perillo said the proposed fire budget is about 8.9% lower than 2025.
Perillo also discussed ambulance operations. He said ambulance revenues face…
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