Troutdale officials back four‑city task force, approve outreach contract after firefighters urge restoring District 10

Troutdale officials on Monday moved to participate in a four‑city task force with Gresham, Fairview and Wood Village to study forming or joining a regional fire district and approved a one‑year public‑education contract with consultant Praxis to begin outreach and polling.

The discussion, at the Public Safety Service Delivery Working Group meeting on Sept. 22, followed public comment from local firefighter union leaders who urged Troutdale to pursue restoration of Multnomah County Fire District 10 rather than accepting Clackamas Fire District 1’s offer of service. The group also discussed interim intergovernmental agreements to extend current contracted service while the task force develops a formal proposal for voters.

The task force is intended to produce a roadmap on whether the four cities should (1) form a new district, (2) join Multnomah County Fire District 10, or (3) join another district, staff said. The task force would include the mayors and one councilor from each city, city managers, the fire chief, and union representation; staff expect the group to start meeting in mid to late October. In the interim, the cities are exploring extended IGAs to preserve service while planning continues.

“We are your local firefighters, and we are proud to serve your communities every day,” said Ryan Dorn, vice president of Local 1062, during public comment. Dorn told the working group that Multnomah County Fire District 10 can be restored and that its pension‑related liabilities no longer pose the previously reported barrier. “This confirmation solidifies that the pathway to secure stable funding for East County Fire Service is through Multnomah County Fire District 10 and not Clackamas Fire District 1,” Dorn said. He also urged the cities to extend their existing contracted fire service to allow time for a successful district campaign.

Kevin Larson, president of Local 1062, told the group the union has spent years advocating for a district and that Gresham’s most recent work session produced a unified message among its council for a four‑city approach. “Your firefighters are here to help and be an advocate for public safety and for long term sustainable funding,” Larson said.

City staff reported preliminary polling and fiscal modeling from Praxis and prior consultants. Staff said initial Praxis numbers for Troutdale showed roughly 38% approval, about 30% opposed and a large undecided bloc (roughly 30–40%). Staff emphasized that the undecided segment will be the focus of outreach and education before any ballot measure is finalized.

Officials also reviewed rough tax‑rate comparisons and budget effects discussed in the polling and modeling: staff cited district levy rates in the range of $2.85 to $2.92 per $1,000 assessed value for the districts discussed and noted Troutdale’s current rate figure cited in the meeting of about $3.73 per $1,000 under the present contract. Staff said the city is currently reducing its ending fund balance by an estimated $1.5 million per year because of rising fire and police service costs, a fiscal trend the proposed district model would aim to stop.

Meeting participants and union speakers warned that a successful ballot campaign will require sustained outreach and funding. Union leaders and officials recalled a past local campaign in 2004 that cost about $70,000 in campaign funds and said a modern, multi‑city effort could exceed $100,000. Staff noted that city funds cannot be used for campaign advocacy once a measure is on the ballot; campaign outreach would be led by a political action committee and partner organizations.

Staff recommended the working group advise the Troutdale City Council to authorize participation in the task force and to pursue extended IGAs with Gresham while the task force develops options. Committee members said they expect Gresham to draft IGA templates in mid‑October, and several members favored a target interim contract length of about three years to bridge the period while a district proposal is developed and, if approved by voters, implemented.

Council and staff also discussed timing for placing a measure before voters. Based on Gresham’s timeline and concerns about ballot congestion, staff said a realistic window for a coordinated, multi‑city district vote is 2027–2028. The working group and union speakers agreed that presenting a single, unified plan across the four cities would improve chances of success.

Members also discussed the interplay between fire‑service restructuring and Troutdale’s ongoing conversation about police services. Staff said revenue from a fire district could free general fund dollars that might support local police options over time, but they cautioned that police planning would likely need to proceed on a separate track so the city is not left without options if a district proposal fails.

The working group approved routine consent business and set the next meeting for Oct. 20. Staff said they have contracted with Praxis for an initial one‑year engagement to support polling and public education; Praxis is also working with the other cities.

The item remains a planning and outreach effort: no final decision to form or join a fire district was made at the meeting, and any change in service or tax levy would require separate council approvals and, where required, voter approval.