MARYSVILLE — The city of Marysville is exploring its options when it comes to providing fire protection and emergency medical services.
A consultant has recommended the city and the Marysville Fire District form a regional fire authority, a separate government body similar to what’s already in place in Stanwood.
The consultant’s report was shared with the Marysville City Council on Sept. 22. The study cost $41,980, officials said.
Since 1992, the city has contracted with Fire District 12 to form the Marysville Fire District. Over time, the Marysville district has come to serve 55 square miles including the city, a swath of the Tulalip Indian Reservation, Lakewood and parts of Smokey Point.
The 2014 budget is about $16.2 million.
For years now, cities and fire districts in Snohomish County have talked about forming regional fire authorities to reduce duplication and save money. So far, only one has been created here, in the far north end of the county. Plans for a fire authority in south county bottomed out in 2013 after years of discussion.
In fall 2013, another consultant recommended that the city of Arlington form a regional fire authority with the districts in rural, unincorporated Arlington and in Silvana. That report also noted that talk of merging or otherwise combining fire agencies often provokes reactions that are protective of territory and power.
The three options in the city of Marysville study included forming a fire authority, permanently annexing into the fire district and creating a new city fire department. A fire authority and an annexation both would require a public vote.
Each option also would change how taxes are collected and spent.
The study found that in general, city staff want to maintain some say and involvement in fire and medical emergency services. Some folks also want the district’s board makeup adjusted to be more representative of city growth after annexations.
The firefighters’ union, Local 3219, supported the city’s choice to pursue the study, said Capt. Dean Shelton, the secretary-treasurer.
In other areas, regional fire authorities have been found to have more stable funding and improve home insurance rates, he said.
“What we hope is that whatever the city and the fire district move forward on will provide not only an enhanced service to the constituents but will also save them money,” Shelton said.
Next year is the earliest voters may be asked to decide.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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