Council agrees to plan for fire services

Stanwood City Council directed Camano Fire District 1 to move forward with a draft for the continuation of the city’s contracted fire services, with several changes.

The changes are the result of a study by FCS Group earlier this year, which outlined the level of fire services provided to the city, what the city can afford to pay and what those services actually cost the district to provide.

Chief Michael Ganz, of Camano Island Fire and Rescue, said the district is committed to providing the highest possible level of service to the residents of Stanwood, but it can’t subsidize the city.

For its part, the city can’t afford to continue paying what the district is currently charging. Facing a serious general fund deficit, the city must cut its fire budget by at least $212,000 next year.

Both parties agreed to move forward with restructuring the contract, keeping in mind that the city would eventually like to be annexed into District 1 boundaries. At that point, the district would provide and fund all fire services, doing away with the city’s contract.

With that goal in mind, the following plan was approved:

District 1 will draft a contract that extends fire services for five years. The contract will include a clause allowing the city to opt out after three years. The city will retain ownership of the Stanwood Fire Department building and rolling stock (fire truck, battalion vehicles, etc.), but the firefighters, who are currently employed by the city, will become employees of District 1. Their accrued ranks, wages, benefits and leave will transfer straight across.

Councilmember Timothy Loney said he believed this was in the best interest of the firefighters.

Traditionally, he said, Stanwood has been a “training department.” Because its small size limits advancement opportunities, many firefighters move on after a few years. District 1’s larger size will allow these firefighters opportunities for specialized training and career advancement.

Finally, the new contract will include language that sets a timeline for both parties to enter a pre-annexation agreement and begin the process of applying for annexation.

If for some reason the annexation fails, Ganz said, the city will be right back where it is now, in a position to negotiate with the district for fire services — nothing will have been lost.

After the contract is drafted, it will be brought to council for their approval before being voted on.

In other city council news:

Six people applied for Conrad Ryer’s vacated city council seat. Council and the mayor will interview the applicants on Sept. 7, at 4 p.m.

The next council meeting is Sept, 9, 7 p.m., in the school district’s administration building, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood.