With the final results of April’s regional fire authority vote now certified, the work begins on actually transitioning the city’s fire department to an independent organization by July 1.
But city and fire officials were clear during a presentation to the City Council on Monday that despite the change in how money is collected and how decisions are made, citizens can expect the same services as always.
“The fire department is not leaving the city,” Chief Mark Peterson said. “The only change is how we’re funded and how we’re governed.”
Voters in April approved the change from a city-based fire department to a regional fire authority, which combined the city department with King County Fire District No. 25. More than 62 percent of voters cast their ballots for the change.
The biggest change will be in how the new fire authority is funded. Instead of coming fully through property taxes, the new authority will include a reduced property tax amount but will impose a fire benefit charge on each property, determined by the size of the stricture and the hazards associated with fighting a fire at the building.
Residential property owners should expect a slight increase in the cost of emergency services than they are paying today. The city estimates a home with a median size and value (2,180 square foot, $291,000 assessed value) will pay approximately $10 more per month.
Commercial property owners should expect a larger increase.
But the new and additional funding is designed to pay for additional services and a new fire station to be built in the Kennydale neighborhood.
Previously eliminated fire-inspector positions will be brought back and there will be increased staffing for public education, as well as the new fire station 15, scheduled to open in late 2018 or early 2019.
The new Renton Regional Fire Authority will be governed by a six-person board made up of three City Council members and three commissioners from FD 25. Fire District No. 40, which contracts with the city, will also have a non-voting member on the governing board.
Peterson said several things would stay the same, including the department’s partnership with the city on fire code enforcement, investigations and community events.
“We’ll continue to work together with the with all city departments as we do now,” he said.
Mayor Denis Law also reiterated that despite the change, the department would still be involved in the city and would remain as active as ever.
“We want the citizens to know that this is still the Renton Fire Department, they’ll still be serving the public the way they have been for years and years and years,” he said. “It’s just a different way to manage this.”
The final vote totals, certified by King County County Elections on May 6 were 8,343 votes for (62.64 percent) and 4,976 votes against (37.36 percent). A 60 percent majority was required for passage.
