PROSSER -- Two neighboring fire agencies want voters to merge them into a single agency.
The Prosser Fire Department and Benton County Fire District No. 3 want to form a regional fire authority that would tax property owners both in and outside the city limits the same rate.
The Prosser City Council will discuss the issue at its Tuesday night work session. By July 20, it could vote to put the measure before voters Nov. 2.
The council will convene at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 610 Seventh St.
The two fire agencies now operate under a partnership that shares equipment, an elected leadership body, three paid employees, a volunteer force and a station on Wine Country Road.
"We're just about everything but a regional fire authority the way we're set up," said Doug Merritt, who serves as chief for both bodies.
Under the partnership, the mayor of Prosser appoints three City Council members to the governing board of directors, while the other three are elected from among county residents.
County residents now pay about 61 percent of the partnership's budget, while the city contributes 39 percent. It's a formula based on assessed values, population and average number of fire calls over five years.
Funding would change under the new arrangement, which would require a simple majority vote for passage.
All residents would be taxed on property value. The limit set by state law is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $150 for a $100,000 home.
Merritt and other proponents have not decided on a rate, he said.
The arrangement would make it easier and more predictable to budget for equipment upgrades and training, Merritt said. Currently, he has to request a share of his money from the City Council every year.
Similar stories:
'Doughnut hole' residents say they don't want to be part of city
'Doughnut hole' residents say they don't want to be part of city
Some county residents wanted to make sure Pasco City Council members know what they think about annexation of their property into the city before discussions begin.
About 13 "doughnut hole" residents told city council members Monday that they didn't want to be part of the city, accompanied by the applause of most of the 40 people present.
Pasco, Franklin County and Franklin Fire District 3 are beginning talks about a planned annexation of about two miles of county land surrounded by city property using a new process that allows an interlocal agreement between all three to set up a schedule and conditions for annexation.
4 vie for 2 seats on Pasco City Council
4 vie for 2 seats on Pasco City Council
PASCO -- Voters will choose between two Pasco City Council incumbents who say they thoroughly research and consider issues, and their challengers who claim they will be a voice for change.
Rebecca Francik, a 15-year incumbent, will face off with John Talbott, a former Spokane mayor, for Pasco City Council District 5 position in the Nov. 8 general elections.
Andrew Johnson, a former real estate agent, is trying to unseat Al Yenney, who is finishing his first term in the District 1 position.
Franklin Co. could decide on 'doughnut hole' today
Franklin Co. could decide on 'doughnut hole' today
Franklin County could decide tonight whether to allow Pasco to continue efforts to annex a so-called county "doughnut hole" using a new process.
Franklin County commissioners plan a 7:30 p.m. public hearing at the Franklin County Courthouse to decide if they want to enter talks with Pasco and Franklin Fire District 3.
Without the county's approval, the process created by the state Legislature to use an interlocal agreement for annexation can't happen.
Kennewick City Council to review 5-cent drop in tax rate
Kennewick City Council to review 5-cent drop in tax rate
KENNEWICK -- Kennewick homeowners can expect a nickel break on their city property tax rate next year.
The city council will review the property tax levy numbers Tuesday night, and is expected to approve them Nov. 29 following a public hearing.
If adopted as proposed, the 2012 levy rate will be $2.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $211 a year for a $100,000 home, or $316.50 for a $150,000 home.
Fire district settles lawsuit over doughnut hole papers
Fire district settles lawsuit over doughnut hole papers
Franklin Fire District 3 has settled a public records lawsuit filed by a critic of Pasco's attempt to annex a large county doughnut hole using a new process.
The district will pay Roger Lenk, one of about 4,000 doughnut hole residents, $10,000 and provide him with affidavits of conversations between fire district and city representatives under the settlement signed last week.
Pasco, Franklin County and Franklin Fire District 3 have been talking about an annexation of about two square miles of county land using a process that allows an interlocal agreement among the three entities. Most of the area is between Sylvester and Argent roads, and roads 52 and 100.
Print
Email Story
