Bothell won’t participate in south county regional fire authority

Published 9:27 pm Monday, January 9, 2012

BOTHELL — The city of Bothell has decided not to participate in talks over forming a regional fire authority in south Snohomish County.

For about a year, seven cities and two fire districts have been working on a plan for a new government body to provide fire-protection service to most of the area between Everett and the Snohomish-King county line.

Bothell officials determined that the proposed fire authority would not save the city money compared to keeping its own fire department, according to a letter the city sent the fire authority planning committee in December.

The planning committee is made up of elected officials from each city and fire district, so there are some new faces due to the recent election.

The agencies participating in the talks have not yet committed to join the fire authority if it comes to fruition. They are expected to decide in the coming months.