Mill Creek council conditions talks with South County Fire on restoring promised 5‑person staffing

Mill Creek, Wash. — At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Mill Creek City Council directed staff to draft a letter to South County Fire asking the district to put restoration of the staffing level promised to Mill Creek voters at the top of any meeting agenda and asked for volunteers to attend a small meeting with district representatives if that condition is met.

The action came after public comment and more than an hour of discussion among council members about the district’s redeployment plan, which council members and residents said reduces staffing at Fire Station 76 from the five‑person crew voters were told would operate there after annexation. The council did not take a formal vote; members provided direction that the mayor and mayor pro tem, plus an additional council volunteer, should work with staff to draft the letter and, if the district agrees to the agenda condition, meet with district representatives.

The issue traces to annexation arrangements approved by Mill Creek voters in 2021. Council members said the…