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closeFire annexation up for vote to Sumner residents
Voters to decide on April 22 if Sumner should annex into Fire District 22, a move that could save the city $5 million over a five year period
Roxanne Cooke
Last summer, members of the Sumner City Council learned the city could face a $7.35 million deficit unless steps were taken to save money and bring in more revenue.
Annexation into Fire District 22, also known as East Pierce Fire and Rescue, was one of several options council members and city administration discussed to abate the potential financial quandary. Voters will decide April 22 if that happens.
The annexation would save the city approximately $5 million over the next five years.
The city intended to eventually annex into the district as part of a 10-year consolidation agreement that went into effect Jan. 1, 2007. Under that agreement, East Pierce Fire and Rescue provides fire and emergency medical services to Sumner residents.
If the vote is approved, Sumner residents would become voting members of East Pierce and have a say in the tax rate, elect fire commissioners and pay emergency service (EMS) and fire taxes directly to the district rather than to the city.
Here are some quick facts on the upcoming vote:
A When: April 22, 2008
A Who votes: Three groups of voters will decide: Residents of Sumner will vote on whether or not they would like to be fully annexed into Fire District 22 for fire and emergency medical services; residents of Fire District 1, located south of Sumner and north of Orting, will vote on whether or not they would like to merge with Fire District 22 and residents of the current Fire District 22 will vote on whether or not they would like to annex the city of Sumner.
A Where to vote: To vote in person, visit Sumner Presbyterian Church, 1915 Washington St. in Sumner or Bonney Lake Elementary, 18715 80th St. E. in Bonney Lake. To vote by mail, drop off ballots at the Sumner Express booth, located at the Sumner Fred Meyer, 1201 Valley Ave., or the Bonney Lake Express booth, located at the Bonney Lake Fred Meyer, 20901 Highway 410.
For a full list of voting locations in Fire District 22, visit www.co.pierce.wa.us.
A What will change: The annexation will not affect current fire service provided by East Pierce Fire and Rescue. The only difference is governance — Sumner residents would receive fire and medical service as a resident of the district rather than through a contract.
In 2006, the Sumner Fire Department had 120 mutual aid calls. By contrast, as part of East Pierce in 2007, Sumner Fire had 10 mutual aid calls and those 10 had an average response time that was three minutes faster than calls in 2006.
A How are taxes affected: The annexation would remove the city as the go-between for emergency service (EMS) taxes. Currently, the city collects residents’ EMS tax and then pays East Pierce for services. Because the city collects less than the amount owed to East Pierce, it has to subsidize the difference from the city’s general fund.
A What happens to the Sumner Fire Station, trucks, engines and equipment: The station would remain where it is and all of the equipment was transferred to East Pierce at the start of the 10-year contract. The exception is the antique Kenworth fire engine, which often drives through town parades, will always remain the property of Sumner.