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City manager proposes East County fire-services task force to explore district options
Summary
City staff proposed forming an East County Fire Services Task Force of elected officials, city managers, fire leadership and stakeholders to study long-term service models, including a possible fire district. The proposed advisory group would help coordinate options amid Gresham-provided service discussions and an IGA extension.
Fairview’s city manager proposed creating an East County Fire Services Task Force on Wednesday to bring elected officials, city managers, fire leadership and other stakeholders together to examine longer-term fire and emergency medical-service options for East County, including the possibility of a fire district.
The task force would be advisory, Mr. City Manager said, and would not direct staff operations. Proposed membership included the four East County city managers, the four mayors, one councilor appointed by each city, the fire chief, a representative of the firefighters’ union, the contracted fire district representative and supporting finance or staff as needed. Staff suggested meeting monthly in the near term and funding a multi-year collaborative process that could include third-party facilitation, consulting support and public engagement.
The proposal follows ongoing negotiations and study about current service arrangements — Fairview currently contracts for fire services (discussed at prior sessions) and staff said an IGA extension with existing providers is being considered as a bridge while the task force explores durable structures. The city manager stressed the need for a shared process among the four East County cities to organize a work plan, identify data and present ordinance/ballot options to each council.
Councilors asked whether task-force members would have voting authority. Staff said the body would be advisory: any final policy decisions, including placing a proposed district on a ballot, would require each city council’s separate vote and comply with state statutory ballot requirements. Council members asked for clear timelines and for a council appointee to the task force; staff said they would return with proposed membership and a schedule and suggested the first task-force meeting could be set in mid-to-late October if councils provide appointees.
No final decision to form the task force was taken at Wednesday’s meeting; staff asked each council to consider appointing a councilor to serve if the council wishes to participate.
