PORT TOWNSEND — City officials are considering placing a measure on an upcoming ballot asking residents if they want to be annexed into the East Jefferson Fire Rescue district and are seeking input from the public before making a decision.
Three town hall meetings are planned in Fort Worden Commons A & B on consecutive Thursday evenings: this Thursday, March 29 and April 5. All three will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
City residents are encouraged to attend all three meeting, since each will have a different focus.
Each table will have a moderator, and opinions will be gathered through touch pads and tallies.
“These meetings are designed to provide taxpayers with in-depth information and the City Council will ask their opinions,” City Manager Dave Timmons said.
“The results will give the council and staff direct feedback towards making a decision about putting the measure on the ballot in either August or November.
“The City Council will make a informed decision based on this direct feedback,” he continued.
“We want citizen input.”
Port Townsend has provided fire and emergency medical services (EMS) to its residents through an interlocal agreement with East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) since 2007.
The tax revenue the city collects for fire and emergency medical services goes to the fire district to pay for coverage in the city.
City officials say that annexation would mean that the district’s board would be expanded to include voting representation from the city, consolidate the city and fire department’s fire and budget processes into one, eliminate the risk associated with negotiated contracted services, and ensure tax levy parity between the city and fire district taxpayers.
The present interlocal agreement would be dissolved.
Timmons said that annexation would not change current service levels.
Led by Mayor Deborah Stinson, the first meeting on Thursday will review community needs and priorities and discuss challenges facing Port Townsend. The city’s comprehensive plan will be discussed, and attendees will learn of identified priorities and rationale.
On March 29, Timmons will present the finance and government services overview. Attendees will learn how community services are funded and how sources of revenue and allocations of funds for various expenses are made. Discussion will focus how annexation will impact the city’s finances and taxpayers.
Fire Chief Jim Walkowski will lead the discussion on choices and options during the April 5 session. This final meeting will describe how general fund dollars previously allocated for fire service could either be reserved or allocated to address community priorities and needs.
Bill Beezley, fire district spokesman, will facilitate the sessions.
During the last decade, the fire district has purchased the Uptown Fire Station on Lawrence Street. It also owns the fire engines and ambulances, and employs all fire and emergency medical personnel.
“Functionally, the City and EJFR have been consolidated for over ten years,” city officials said in a news release.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
