1 / 12

Regional Fire Authority Annexation The Tukwila Experience

Learn about the Tukwila Regional Fire Authority annexation decision, the reasons behind it, and the lessons learned. Explore the key issue of the Fire Benefit Charge and how it was explained to the community. Discover how Tukwila is moving forward with its Fire Department and regional efforts.

ebarrett
Download Presentation

Regional Fire Authority Annexation The Tukwila Experience

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Regional Fire Authority AnnexationThe Tukwila Experience WCMA Conference – August 2016 David Cline, Tukwila City Administrator

  2. The Big Takeaways • After years of discussions, Tukwila chose to not annex to Kent Regional Fire Authority in 2016 • There wasn’t a crisis, yet • Finances didn’t pencil out – not a huge cost savings in the short term • Council and Community didn’t see need for change, while the Fire Union did • A Few Public Comments • “We love OUR fire department, why would we change?” • “We are willing to pay more to keep our OWN Fire Department”

  3. HistoryRegionalization discussed for several years • 2010 – Study of merging with City of SeaTac • 2011-2016 – Kent Regional Fire Authority Several Workgroups and Study • 2011 – First Steering Committee put on Hold as Kent RFA and SeaTac created contract model • 2014 – Internal City Committee reviewed alternatives, recommended RFA as best option • 2015 – Second Steering Committee, split recommendation to annex to Kent RFA • 2016 – City Council decided not to annex to Kent RFA and focus on City Fire Department • 2016 – City Council put public safety bond on Nov. 8 Election • Replacing 3 stations and fund Fire apparatus and equipment • Criminal Justice Center for Police and Courts

  4. Lessons Learned • Know why you changing model – Financial, Service, Leadership? • Do the detailed analysis • Financial First, include all costs – if it doesn’t pencil out, stop there, Operational, Indirect, Capital needs, Equipment replacement • Be objective – Make sure it isn’t run by the fire department • Clearly state what the City will do with its excess capacity – Use it or lose it • Recognize different stakeholders – Fire Union, City, Council, Community • Don’t underestimate the passion • “We love OUR fire department” to “I can’t believe the City Council/Mayor didn’t do this”

  5. Fire Benefit Charge – Key Issue in moving to RFA • Allows charge based on need – can shift costs to Commercial from Residential • Can be up to 60% of operating costs • Has to be approved by 60% every six years • Can vary by geographic areas, business type

  6. Fire Benefit Charge – Easily Explained • Initial imposition of FBC requires 60% voter approval (RCW 52.26.220) • Renewing existing FBC requires 60 for RFAs%, renew every 6 years (RCW 52.26.220) • The FBC takes the place of the 3rd 50 cent property tax levy (RCW 52.26.240) • Cannot exceed 60% of the annual operating budget (RCW 52.26.220) • Imposed on personal property and improvements to real property (RCW 52.26.180) • FBC is added to property tax bills • County charges a fee to collect the funds (currently 1%) • Formula shall be reasonably proportioned to the measurable benefits to property (RCW 52.26.180) • Any other method that reasonably apportions the benefit charges is acceptable. (RCW 52.26.180) • Exceptions, limitations: • Property owned by religious organizations (RCW 52.26.180) • Property not assessed and subjected to ad valorem taxation under Title 84 (RCW 52.26.180) • Property that is subject to a contract for services (RCW 52.26.180) • Low income, seniors that qualify for exemptions under RCW 84.36.381 through 84.36.389 are exempt from a portion of the FBC. 25%, 50% or 75% exemption

  7. Fire Benefit Charge – Explained, Take 2

  8. Tukwila Moving Forward • Keep our Fire Department – Ask Voters for Financial Support for Capital • Hire new Permanent Fire Chief • Continue Regional Efforts through South King County Training Consortium

  9. Questions?

More Related