The Orting City Council made a request on January 13, 2010 to annex its fire services into the Orting Fire District and the Fire District Board of Commissioners agreed.  Now, a vote will go before the voters within the City of Orting, and concurrently before the voters of the Fire District on April 27, 2010 requesting their approval to allow the annexation to move forward.

Why is the City requesting annexation?

Many cities are looking at ways to run more efficiently and keep service levels, especially emergency service levels, the same.  The City and the District have been working under a service contract since 2008.  This contract has assured a minimum staffing level of four firefighters, and assured that Emergency Medical, Fire and Rescue service is available.  Response times to the City for critical medical emergencies averages just over five minutes.

Both the City and the District agree we are stronger together than apart.  Neither believes it is in the best interest of the citizens to build redundant emergency systems, blocks apart, for the City and the District.

Will annexation cost me anything?

If you live in the Fire District, no.  If you live in the City, the cost of annexation is expected to be around $0.28 per $1,000 in assessed value. This year, that would equal about $56 annually on a $200,000 home.

The Fire District tax rate of $2.00 per $1,000 is a rate generally considered necessary to meet equipment, training and staffing requirements for departments providing Paramedic, Fire and Rescue service.  All districts within Pierce County providing this level of service are at this rate or more.  The $2.00 rate cannot be increased without a vote of the people.  The efficient blend of paid and volunteer staffing in Orting keeps costs down and allows for an effective response.

Right now, the City is obligated to the District for a payment of $1,080,143.  This amount equals the $2.00 per $1,000 rate paid by tax payers in the District.  However, that amount is reduced by a discount afforded to the City by the Fire District of $150,000 for use of fire equipment sold to the District by the City.  In 2011, that payment runs out and the City would be responsible for an annual cash payment to the District of $150,000.  That equates to the $0.28 per $1,000 discussed above. 

More Financial Information

How will I have a say in Fire Department operations?

Under annexation, responsibility for the Fire Department will come under the Fire Commissioners.  However, the Board of Fire Commissioners has committed to increase the number of commissioners to five from three.  The two newest commissioners would come from an appointment of City residents by the Board.  Further, the City Council will have an “ex-officio” member sitting on the Board of Fire Commissioners and the Board of Fire Commissioners will have an ex-officio membership on the City Council.  Both ex-officios are non-voting members.

What happens if we don’t annex?

Were annexation to fail, both elected bodies would need to do an evaluation of options.  The City Council and District Board are both concerned about disparate funding levels between the City and the District and the District’s ability to continue to provide service if City funding was not equal to District Funding.

If you have any questions relating to annexation, feel free to contact Fire Chief Paul Webb at (360) 893-2221 or (360) 377-3132, or City Administrator Mark Bethune at (360) 893-2219 ext. 111.