On April 26, residents of Renton and Fire Protection District No. 25 will have the ability to improve fire and emergency medical services across our area with Proposition 1. It is vitally important to our community that we vote YES.

City tax revenue is down 30 percent since 2000 and our Fire Department has responded with operating efficiencies and personnel reductions. But with state limits on property tax growth and a population that has nearly doubled since 2000, the department can no longer keep up. The result is response times that fall short of recommended levels and understaffed stations and aid cars. We cannot allow this to continue.

City leaders, fire and emergency service professionals, small business owners, and residents across the Renton area participated in a Citizens Advisory Committee and agree that establishing a Regional Fire Authority, or RFA, is the best way to improve current service and plan for our future needs.

Accountable to a governing board and public hearings, the RFA would establish a special purpose district to provide stable funding for fire and emergency medical services. For an additional $10 more each month for the average homeowner, we can increase staffing on aid cars and fire stations, staff a new fire station in North Renton, and improve response times.

This is an important proposal, and a well-thought-out one which is why it has the support of Renton Firefighters and the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Denis Law, six city councilmembers, County Councilman Reagan Dunn, and a bipartisan coalition of legislators: State Senators Joe Fain (R) and Bob Hasegawa (D), State Representatives Steve Bergquist (D) and Jay Rodne (R).

Please join neighbors in voting for a safe Renton. Vote YES on Proposition 1 and be sure to return your ballot by April 26.

Ed Prince,
Renton City Councilmember