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It's not often that voters are asked to go to the polls to keep
the status quo, but that's exactly what could happen April 27.
The City Council has eyed that date as the probable election day
when voters will be asked to annex to Fire District 1 to continue
business as usual in Spokane Valley.
All registered voters within District 1's boundaries - including
those outside of the city of Spokane Valley's borders - will be
asked to go to the ballots.
Fire District 8, which services the Ponderosa neighborhood, is also
affected. Voters there will also be asked to approve the annexation
request.
The Spokane Valley City Council heard a report on its options at
its Dec. 23 meeting. Council members agreed that annexation was
the best choice as it will maintain current service levels without
any new costs.
Back in October, the council authorized Fire District 1 to continue
serving Spokane Valley in 2004, along with Districts 8 and 9 for
smaller areas in the southern and northern areas, respectively,
of Spokane Valley. As a newly incorporated city, Spokane Valley
was allowed by state law to continue its existing fire service until
January 2005.
While the city has a few other options for service - such as contracting
or creating its own fire department - the council agrees annexation
is the best choice.
Some council members are worried the public won't understand what
they are voting on or comprehend the consequences of a "no"
vote.
"We need to pass this measure to continue our existing fire
service," said Council Member Steve Taylor.
Complicating matters is that there are four groups who have to
vote "yes" in the majority for everything to remain as-is:
residents of the city of Spokane Valley inside District 1, those
who live in the city of Spokane Valley inside District 8, those
living outside the city of Spokane Valley but inside District 1,
and those living outside the city of Spokane Valley but inside District
8.
Only four properties in District 9 are affected, so fire commissioners
there have agreed to release them to District 1.
Taylor wanted to know what would happen if any of the affected
groups decides to vote no.
"We could contract with the fire district(s) and have another
election," said Nina Regor, deputy city manager. She added
that was why a spring vote was preferable to a fall election.
Council Member Richard Munson, who attended the meeting via telephone,
said it was important the city and fire districts educate the public.
"We have to get good information out prior to the election,"
he said.
The city of Liberty Lake went through a similar process, and voters
agreed to annex to Fire District 1.
Those living in the town of Millwood, however, voted to form their
own fire department in 2001.
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