HOME   |   EMERGENCIES   |   PERMITS   |   PHOTOS   |   EDUCATION   |   LINKS   |   STATIONS   |   CONTACT   |   RECORDS   |   EMPLOYMENT     |    ANNEXATION   

ANNEXATION








The District has been providing service to the City by contract since mid - 2008.


The contract specifies that the City pay the same rate-per-thousand of assessed value as taxpayers in the District ($2.00 per thousand).  The City’s tax rate is $2.75 per thousand. After annexation $2.00 of that would go to the District. In order to maintain existing City services, it is estimated the City would have to raise their rate approximately .28 cents per thousand or $56 annually on a $200,000 home.


The City wants to assure the same quality and stability in the level of service the District has been able to provide since the contracted service began.

What does “Annexation” of the City into the Fire District mean?

Why does the City want to annex?

 

Will there be a cost?


District taxpayers presently pay $2 per thousand, so they would not see an increase. For City taxpayers the increase is expected to be approximately .28 cents  per thousand of assessed value, or $56 on a $200,000 home.


How does this cost compare with other Districts?


East Pierce Fire & Rescue, which provides similar services charges at least $2.00 per thousand for Fire and Emergency Medical Service. South Pierce Fire & Rescue, a similar size fire district to Orting is at $2.00 per thousand.


Will the City have a say in how service is conducted by the District?

Yes.  The intent of both the Council and Board of Fire Commissioners is to address this in 3 ways:


1.Both the Council and the Board of Fire Commissioners have agreed to place “ex-officio” members on each other’s body.  The ex-officio will be non-voting, however will keep on-going and open lines of communication between each other;


2.The Board of Fire Commissioners has agreed by Resolution, to take to the voters at the April 27th election, a request to increase the number of Commissioners from 3 to 5. The two new members will be appointed from City residents, and;


3.All City residents will be able to address any concerns or provide information directly to the Board of Fire Commissioners.



Are these annexations common?


Very common.  Annexations, mergers and other forms of consolidation have been happening statewide as a means to create efficiencies in providing service.  In Pierce County the City of Puyallup recently annexed into Central Pierce Fire and Rescue and Bonney Lake became part of East Pierce Fire and Rescue in the late 90’s. Lakewood and University Place annexed to their fire district also in the late 90’s.


What is the Service Level of Orting Valley Fire and Rescue?


An effective Fire and Emergency Medical Service is the measure of a number of elements.  Chief among them are response times and staffing.  How does Orting Valley Fire and Rescue measure up in these areas?


Response Time:








 
 

The Department has four stations:


  1. ★Station 40 – 401 Washington Ave.  -  Minimum 4 firefighters on duty (Engine and    Medic 40)


  1. ★Station 41 – 11206 SR 162 in McMillin  -  Staffed with 3 resident firefighters


  1. ★Station 42 – 19210 Patterson Rd.E. – Staffed with 2 come-from-home volunteers


  1. ★Station 43 – 14919 Orting-Kapowsin Hwy. – Staffed part-time paid staff and 1 resident firefighter

As you can see, response time of the para-medic unit in Orting Valley is among the best in Pierce County. Ambulance transport service is provided by your firefighters with no out-of-pocket expense. Orting Valley firefighters also provide structural and wildland firefighting, water rescue, and many other emergency and safety programs to the citizens of Orting and Orting Valley.


If you have any questions, please contact Fire Chief Paul Webb anytime at 360-893-2221 or 253-377-3132, or City Administrator Mark Bethune at 360-893-2219.


Thank you.

The Orting City Council passed an ordinance requesting the City of Orting, by voter approval, be annexed by Fire District #18.


On January 13th the Orting City Council passed an Ordinance requesting that the City be annexed into Fire District #18, Orting Valley Fire and Rescue. On January 19th the Fire Commissioners of Orting Valley Fire and Rescue (Fire District #18) passed a Resolution assenting to the Council’s request and requested the issue be placed on the April 27th ballot for special election.

 

2010 -2011 Pierce County Fire District #18

|    401 Washington Avenue SouthEast     |    Orting, Washington 98360  |   (360) 893-2221    |