Stanwood fire department is ready to ‘clean house’

STANWOOD — The fire department here is asking voters to approve a change in how it’s governed.

That involves purging government bodies that exist on paper but not in practice.

The North County Regional Fire Authority combined two former fire districts in 2008. State law required the new agency to continue keeping separate records and holding separate meetings for both districts, Fire Chief John Cermak said.

The laws since have changed, but the two former fire districts can’t officially be dissolved without a vote.

“There’s not a cost to it,” the chief said. “It just makes sense to do.”

The old statute is why the fire authority has six commissioners — three have to be elected from each district. The requirement for “dual meetings” sometimes translates to “one-minute meetings” to keep in line with the law, the chief said.

The proposed change would not affect the city of Stanwood, which contracts with the fire authority for service, Cermak said. It also won’t impact how the fire authority collects property taxes.

“It’s strictly a housecleaning item,” he said. “It’s going to reduce duplication and allow us to be more efficient.”

The measure is set to be included on the primary ballot in August. The fire authority is seeking volunteers to work on the pro and con statements for the voter pamphlets. The deadline for that work is Friday.

If the change is approved, the agency would move toward having an odd number of commissioners, likely five or seven, the chief said. Most public agencies configure their boards that way to avoid tied votes.

The fire authority employs 25 full-time firefighters, plus part-time and volunteer crews. They serve about 25,000 people living in 105 square miles north of Lakewood and Arlington, including Warm Beach.

The agency has been rife with change in recent months. Last year, former chief Dale Fulfs retired, two commissioners died and another commissioner resigned.

Cermak started the job in December. The fire authority also has launched a Facebook account, “North County Fire/EMS.”

Another ballot measure is planned for the fall, asking voters to approve the emergency medical services levy to become permanent, rather than requiring a renewal every six years.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

The North County Regional Fire Authority, based in Stanwood, is seeking volunteers to help with pro and con statements for a ballot measure regarding the agency’s governance structure. The work must wrap up by Friday to make the August ballot.

More info: jcermak@northcountyfireems.com, 360-629-2184.