Fairview officials say change needed for fire services as costs strain city budget

Fairview Public Safety Committee members discussed options for the city's fire services on Oct. 5, saying the current contract has become financially unsustainable and that multiple paths 'contracting with another provider or forming a fire district 'are under study. "We know that we need to make a change. We just don't know what it is," City Councilor Jenny Weber said during the meeting.

The discussion matters because committee members and staff said public-safety spending has grown to occupy a large share of the city's general fund, creating pressure to find a more sustainable model. Weber told the committee public-safety spending takes "about 80% of our general fund," and repeated that the city is gathering information before settling on a path.

Committee members described three broad options under review: (1) continue or renegotiate a direct contract with a neighboring city or district; (2) contract for services with another provider; or (3) pursue a voter-approved fire district that would change how fire services are funded. Several speakers noted Gresham, Clackamas Fire District and a so-called "District 10" have been part of conversations among local leaders. The committee reported that city managers and mayors from the three nearby cities are meeting regularly to coordinate.

City staff and committee members said a feasibility study is underway and that data collection remains open. One committee member said the study work is being carried out through the partner cities with an outside firm referenced in the discussion as Jensen Strategies. Officials said the earliest substantive change tied to the current contract would not occur before July 1, 2026, and that any move to create a fire district would require a public vote.

Public concerns and next steps were central to the meeting. Committee members and the chief of police highlighted mutual-aid arrangements that dispatch the closest available unit across jurisdictions, and the chief noted those procedures are already in the dispatch system. "We have mutual aid agreements," the chief of police said, explaining how neighboring apparatuses are recommended when closer than local stations. Several attendees urged clearer, earlier communications with residents about potential budget and tax impacts, and committee members said the city will publish Q&A material and other outreach as decisions firm up.

Discussion only, no formal motions were made on the fire-services item. Committee members said they expect more detailed fiscal figures, voter information and outreach plans once the feasibility analysis returns and the city manager's office completes internal planning. The committee recommended continuing public engagement and coordinating messages across the three cities involved.

Officials said additional information will be released when there is a concrete proposal to present to the public, and that any proposal to form a fire district would include a full breakdown of estimated costs per household and when the measure would appear on the ballot.