There’s been confusion about the Camas city budget. Let’s clarify: Improvements to Crown Park are funded by the capital budget — one-time developer and rental fees legally restricted to parks and infrastructure. These funds cannot be used for daily operations like police or fire services.
Operating costs — like firefighter and police salaries — come from the operating budget, which needs steady, ongoing revenue. That’s why voters were asked to approve a 4 percent utility tax to fund essential staff without cutting other city services.
Now, the Regional Fire Authority is critical. Our fire department is funded through the general fund, which also supports other services. When emergencies arise — wildfires, overtime — the money must come from somewhere, hurting other departments.
The RFA solves this by creating a dedicated fire budget, offering:
- Faster response times;
- Stable, reliable funding;
- Fair, transparent taxation;
- Local control and accountability.
Without it, our shared fire services agreement may collapse — raising costs, slowing response and risking safety. After a year of planning and expert studies, the city council supports the RFA. The facts are clear.
Vote “yes” on the RFA for safety, stability and a stronger future.
