Voters decide on fire move?

Lacey: Council to debate proposals

CHRISTIAN HILL; The Olympian | • Published November 12, 2009

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LACEY – The City Council tonight will discuss a proposal to let voters determine the future of fire and emergency medical response in the city.

Under the proposal, the city would hold off on creating its own fire department until after an election asking voters whether to annex the city into Lacey Fire District No. 3 in the spring. If approved, the annexation would be finalized. If rejected, city officials would have a public mandate to start a fire department.

The proposal comes in response to the ouster of three longtime council members in last week’s election. Some have seen the elections as a public rebuke of the council for deciding in February not to renew its service contract and to start its own fire department. That decision stemmed from a dispute with the district that led to the temporary closure of the Hawks Prairie fire station.

“It would afford an opportunity for voters to give some clear direction,” said Mayor Graeme Sackrison, who was upset in his bid for a fourth four-year term by political newcomer Ron Lawson. “And the reason for the need was (that) there was virtually no opposition to the proposal to go ahead with our own fire department, so we don’t know exactly what the election meant, and we need to give some clarifying opportunities.”

Voters also turned down another term for deputy mayor John Darby, who was elected in 2001, and Councilwoman Ann Burgman, the council’s longest-serving member. Councilman Virgil Clarkson ran unopposed.

During their campaigns, Lawson and the two other winners, Cynthia Pratt and Andy Ryder, opposed forming a fire department and supported either annexing into the district or forming a regional fire authority with the district. They were strongly supported by the Lacey firefighters’ union, which also opposed the city’s move.

Pratt said seriously considering annexation is a good move for the city.

“It involves the residents of Lacey more thoroughly,” she said. “It gives them a chance to make a decision, and I’m hopeful both the pros and cons of all the issues are objectively presented (during a campaign) so they can make informed decisions.”

Clarkson said after the election that his position hasn’t changed but added that it isn’t “locked in stone,” and he wanted to get a better understanding of the message voters were sending.

Councilman Tom Nelson said the election results “might have some impact” on his consideration of the issue. He, too, said he wanted to know what voters were thinking.

Lacey residents, as well as those living in Lacey Fire District No. 3, would vote in the election.

The proposal was broached to representatives of the district during a meeting Tuesday. District representatives expressed support but noted that fire commissioners would need to discuss it further.

Fire Chief Jim Broman said the district has advocated for annexation for a long time and that the three sitting commissioners have voiced support for it.

“I would expect the reception would be positive there,” he said.

Longtime fire commissioner Frank Kirkbride was defeated in the election by Gene Dobry, a federal employee and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. Dobry also has voiced support for annexation.

Another option that would give voters more direct control of emergency response operations is forming a regional fire authority. But that would require a resource the city lacks: time. The city would be required to convene a planning committee to draft a plan about how the authority would be organized and operated. Residents then would vote on the plan.

If annexation is approved, city residents will elect fire commissioners and pay a separate tax levy to the district to fund its operations. The city wants to increase the number of fire commissioners from three to five or even seven. In return, Lacey residents would see a reduction in the city tax levy that pays for basic services because money no longer would need to be raised to pay for a service contract. The city would pay the district $4.8 million under next year’s proposed budget.

Lacey residents currently have an indirect role with the fire district, electing the council members who oversee the service contract. They do not vote for fire commissioners.

Christian Hill: 360-754-5427

chill@theolympian.com MEETING TODAY

The Lacey City Council work session begins at 7 p.m. today in the council chambers of City Hall, 420 College St. S.E. There are two other items on the agenda: a swine flu update presented by Sherri McDonald, director of the county health department, and a presentation on the future of the Interstate 5 corridor.