WALTON — The city's fire department has laid off six of its 18 full-time firefighters because of a lack of money — due in large part to the increasing cost of covering a growing number of businesses in the Richwood Industrial Park.

        Part of the financial problem is because the new $500,000 Richwood firehouse cost $160,000 more than expected, Walton Fire District board Chairman Don Davis said.

        Mr. Davis said the 20-year tax incentives given to businesses in the industrial park have undermined the district's tax base.

        The fire department, which covers the cities of Walton and Richwood as well as parts of Kenton County, is funded through a fire district property tax.

        As new businesses get breaks on assessed value, firefighting needs increase, but tax revenues do not keep pace.

        It was hoped that more money the department needed to cover the industrial park would come in the form of contributions from businesses there, said Walton Fire Chief Don McIntyre. But donations have not made up the difference.

        The funding problem could leave these new businesses without adequate fire protection.

        The next meeting of the Walton Fire District Board is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Walton firehouse.

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