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Edmonds City Council: Regional Fire Authority Too Expensive for Taxpayers

The city council withdrew it's participation in planning for a Regional Fire Authority, saying the price tag is too high for local residents and businesses.

Even if the city of Edmonds returned its potential $3 million a year savings to taxpayers via a reduced property tax levy, taxpayers would end up footing a higher bill if the city joined the Regional Fire Authority the way it's currently proposed.

"Overall, taxes and fees to citizens and businesses would increase $3.5 million," Finance Director Shawn Hunstock told the council.

The council members unanimously voted to withdraw from the plan, with the caveat that it will continue to participate in the process. Meanwhile, council members expressed a desire to maintain the level of service Edmonds is guaranteed under its current contract with Fire District 1.

Mayor Dave Earling praised the work that Fire District 1 has done in preparing the background information during the process and said the city still thinks a regional fire authority could be a possibility in the future.

Edmonds withdrawal follows on the heels of a similar decision by Woodway this week, following earlier withdrawals by Fire Dist. 7, Mukilteo, and Mill Creek.

Do you agree with the city's decision? Tell us in the comments

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kim Carney May 21, 2013 at 03:57 pm
It is beautiful and cold, just like Edmonds ;)
mojomichelle May 18, 2013 at 09:03 am
That is true about Citypark being in a lot of shade. Where's the skateboard park? Possibly a spotRead More at Edmonds Marina Beach??
Jeanne Gustafson (Editor) May 17, 2013 at 02:00 pm
Cassy said on Facebook (sorry to those having trouble logging in today!): Would love to have aRead More splash pad and yes please move it so it is in the full sun. If you are going to have a splash pad we need to take advantage of the sunshine.
James Spangler May 17, 2013 at 01:46 pm
A splash pad would be great, but that space is so shady - maybe next to the skateboard park instead.Read More
CMR May 18, 2013 at 03:20 pm
Works well for me. I like the new format
Priya Sinha May 15, 2013 at 02:37 pm
It sucks! Its confusing to follow.
Terri Buysse March 29, 2013 at 09:35 pm
If you want to know what it's like to have your religion disrespected, try having school camps,Read More orchestra and band concerts and back-to-school nights on the holiest of your religious holidays (equivalent to Christmas and Easter). Everyone knows that an egg hunt is an Easter event whether it's called that or not. Everyone know that a holiday tree is really a Christmas tree. Trust me, the atheists and/or non-Christians are not trying to destroy Christianity. First, it would be impossible. Second, it would be too dangerous to us personally. Last, I personally respect other's traditions, but I'm not sure the same can always be said in reverse.
KGreen March 29, 2013 at 02:44 pm
Don't we have more important things to worry about? Easter Egg, Egg Hunt, who cares? It's a funRead More community event. And thank you to the sponsers that make this happen.
Sally Hyde March 28, 2013 at 10:24 pm
First of all, the government is not supposed to promote any religion. Secondly, the Easter bunnyRead More and egg hunt has no historical religious significance that I can think of, even though this is part of an American tradition. I am good with deleting the word Easter, and would like to see a departure from any emphasis on candy, which only compounds the diabetic epidemic in this country. Sometimes it is good to rethink the wisdom of something simply because it is a "tradition".