Elgin city staff told the City Council on June 17, 2025, that residents who want to expand the territory of Emergency Services District 3 (ESD 3) will need to organize a petition and prepare for two separate elections, and that the town faces large ongoing costs if it joins the district.

The briefing outlined process steps and projected costs. “Roughly, we’re paying $23,000 a month for the enhanced service level from now through the November. After the November, we will be paying a $123,000 a month, and some change, a month, for the services,” Mr. Gonzales, city staff, said. He described those later payments as equating to about $1.2 million a year and stated the number could rise to roughly $1.3 million in subsequent years at the stated monthly rate.

The city emphasized why voters would decide the matter and what action is required to get it on the ballot. The presentation said a petition must include at least 50 qualified voters who are also property owners in the territory proposed for expansion. The ESD board must hold a public hearing after issuing an order, the notice must be posted in three public locations, and both current ESD 3 residents and the residents of the area to be added must approve the measure in separate votes for the expansion to take effect.

The council and staff also cautioned that, because of statutory limits on municipal political activity, city officials may not formally promote or solicit votes on an expansion. The briefing suggested community members form a volunteer committee (a “pack”) to lead outreach and signature gathering; Councilmember Love said Forrest Dennis has agreed to chair such a group and that committee members need not be property owners to serve, though they must be property owners to sign the petition.

Council members and staff stressed the timeline. Mr. Gonzales noted the interlocal agreement with ESD 3 was signed about three weeks earlier and that petitioner names must be verified as property owners; the county must complete verification in order for the measure to be certified. A city speaker reminded the council the deadline to be on the November ballot is Aug. 18, so organizers aimed to complete petition work and public outreach in July.

Why this matters: If Elgin voters approve joining ESD 3 and existing ESD 3 voters approve accepting Elgin, the city would become part of a district that could provide enhanced emergency services but would also create a significant recurring cost for the municipality. Councilmembers said the projected recurring payments at the higher rate could not be absorbed without major budget changes.

The council did not take a final vote on expansion during the meeting; staff said materials being developed for public distribution would include a fact sheet about service relationships, costs and next steps and would be shared once finalized.