Fire Districts 38 and 10 commissioners are proposing a formal “coming together as one” on the upcoming ballot. The vision for such a measure is to maximize efficiencies, maintain service levels, and secure funding to meet current and future needs. As a 40-year fire service veteran and your former fire chief, I fully endorse this measure to form a Regional Fire Authority (RFA).
Commissioners and administrative staff began a potential “merger” discussion several years ago. The group researched available options, knowing the current situation could not continue for optimum outcomes in the future. They met with other RFAs around the state that had 20-plus years of operation. All provided highly favorable testimonies of the RFA processes.
Fire Districts 10 and 38 are partners of Eastside Fire & Rescue EF&R), which formed in 1999. The cities of Sammamish, Issaquah, and North Bend are partners too. Recently the Snoqualmie Tribe became an EF&R “family member.” The EF&R model has a near 20-year history of providing quality services, while avoiding or reducing costs for those within the 200 square miles of eastern King County.
While the cities, districts, and tribe share in the responsibility to provide services, funding methods are unique to each entity. The districts continue to lose property and revenue through annexations to neighboring cities. The district’s commissioners project a looming threat of costs exceeding available funding in the near future. The commissioners believe it better to become one fire district, thus removing or reducing several threats, to include a financial ability to remain an EF&R partner.
Upon approval of Proposition 1, a different funding model would be implemented in District 38. The Fire Benefit Charge includes a tax (reduced from $1.50 per assessed value to $1) combined with a benefit charge tailored to structures by type and size. Commissioners of Fire District 10 have used this same charge method for 14 years. Voters within the district reauthorized the charge two years ago with a near 80 percent approval rate.
If the RFA is approved, property owners in Fire District 10 will see an overall rate decrease. District 38 patrons will see a slight initial increase. Fire district officials have produced lots of information with further details explaining the proposal on their web pages at www.eastsidefire-rescue.org.
Yes on Prop 1 continues quality services, increased efficiencies, and provides stable funding to meet current and future needs.
Lee Soptich,
Former EF&R Fire Chief, retired 2015
