PORT TOWNSEND — A joint board with members of both the Port Townsend City Council and East Jefferson Fire-Rescue voted Tuesday to recommend that the council ask voters to approve a regional fire authority to manage all local fire and emergency medical services.
“I favor creating an RFA [regional fire authority] because I think it’s a better fit for us” than being annexed into the fire district, said David King, board member and City Council member.
“But if we switch over to annexation it is much easier to switch back than the other way around.”
Possible decision June 21
The City Council will consider the recommendation at its Monday meeting, scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 540 Water St.
The option for voters to ratify either the RFA or annexation would on the ballot in early 2011.
The establishment of a regional fire authority would create a municipal corporation that would join with the fire district to provide regional fire protection.
Annexation, the other option, would give the fire district authority over fire service in Port Townsend.
Currently, the fire district bills the city of Port Townsend for the service it provides within the city limit.
Either option would require voter approval, with separate votes needed in the city of Port Townsend and in the unincorporated county area covered by the fire district.
If either side rejected the measure brought before it, the measure would fail.
The vote for the recommendation that a regional authority be put before voters was unanimous although one board member, City Council member Laurie Medlicott, said she favored annexation.
“I’m the one City Council member who has been in this from the beginning,” she said. “I’ve looked at both options and I still believe that annexation is the best way to go.
“But I want this to go ahead so badly I am willing to swallow and shut up.”
Chief Gordon Pomeroy has said that he has no preference between the two choices, but would support and campaign for whichever option the City Council favored.
In addition to King and Medlicott, City Council member Mark Welch sits on the board.
They are joined by fire district commissioners Zane Wyll, Rich Stapf, Jr. and Jess Bondurant, Jr.
The board meets monthly to address issues that affect both city government and the fire district.
If an RFA were to be created, the board would move into a more permanent role, said fire district spokesman Bill Beezley.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
