PORT TOWNSEND — A joint oversight board composed of Port Townsend City Council members and East Jefferson Fire-Rescue commissioners have unanimously recommended annexing the city into the fire district rather than creating a regional fire authority.
The commissioners decided on their recommendation to the City Council during a special meeting of the joint oversight board Wednesday night.
“Of both choices, annexation made more sense for us,” said David King, who is also a member of the Port Townsend City Council.
“We think it is more advantageous to both the city and the district.”
The recommendation will be considered at a City Council meeting Monday, April 11, when the council can decide to approve a resolution to request annexation into the fire district.
If the fire district board accepts the request, the question will go before voters.
For approval, a majority of voters in both the city and the fire district must vote in its favor.
The city now contracts fire services from the district.
A levy failure in Port Townsend last April ended in an imbalance between the amount paid for fire services by county residents and city residents.
Since then, officials have been considering which option to pursue to ensure the continuation of fire services in Port Townsend.
A memo prepared by King outlined reasons why annexation was preferable, including the fact that the fire district already is a regional fire authority for all practical purposes and is familiar with the service area and responsibilities.
“We don’t need a period of transition to integrate roles and responsibilities,” the memo said.
While both options require voter approval, the different requirements for approval were key to the board’s recommendation, members said.
“With a [regional fire authority], there is the potential that the voters in the city or the county could sway the vote,” said Vommissioner Rich Stapf.
“This way, it’s fair.”
Council members Laurie Medlicott and Mark Welch serve on the joint oversight fire board with King, while fire district representatives are Stapf, Zane Wyll and Jess Bondurant.
If annexation is approved, a board would be appointed to supervise fire issues.
A regional fire authority would have an independently elected board.
Taxes could increase.
Stapf said fire districts can levy up to $1.50 per $1,000 of property value, but both local taxing authorities are operating below the $1 level.
The soonest the measure could appear on the ballot would be the Aug. 16 primary, which requires the resolution to be submitted by July 8.
The measure could also appear Nov. 8 with an Oct. 4 cutoff.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
