Voters in the Crooked River Ranch agreed to renew the local fire district’s operating levy at a higher rate in Tuesday’s general election.

The levy, which was scheduled to expire next year, will increase from 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to 89 cents.

The current levy was passed 15 years ago and had not been increased. District officials have said the increase was needed to keep pace with costs and update equipment and buildings while maintaining the district’s current level of service.

Officials said passing the increase was critical because there are many civic institutions in the rural subdivision that straddles Deschutes and Jefferson counties. Crooked River Ranch has a population of 5,000 primarily retirement-age homeowners, and its services are overseen by a board of directors.

In the 2017 general election, Crooked River Ranch voters shot down a proposal to fund two sheriff’s deputies who would have patrolled the ranch.

The levy will allow the district to upgrade all in-ambulance medical monitoring equipment.The district employs six people, all trained paramedics, including the chief.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com