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Council backs proposal to add seats to EMS‑2 board to include small cities and fire districts
Summary
La Center councilmembers gave unanimous direction to support a proposal that would expand the EMS‑2 interlocal board from three to five members to add small-city and fire-district representation; staff said a formal amendment will be returned after the board finalizes terms.
La Center councilmembers on March 12 told staff they generally support a proposal to expand the EMS‑2 interlocal board from three members to five, adding seats aimed at small cities and elected fire commissioners, and asked staff to relay that consensus to the EMS‑2 board.
Janine (city staff) presented the proposal, which the council had previously received in draft form. “So the this came the interlocal agreement came before the council in October, and you approved it,” Janine said, then explained EMS‑2 is asking cities for feedback on moving from a three-person board to a five-person board. She said the materials in the council packet were the existing documents and that the proposed composition and term details were still under discussion.
Council discussion referenced options to allocate one added seat for small cities on an alternating basis and another added seat for fire districts. Chief John Noor told the council the suggested change would “give an extra seat on for small cities and then a extra seat on for, emergency personnel, fire districts.” Ridgefield’s council had been “unanimously supportive of the expansion,” Janine said, and the proposal discussed included two-year rotating terms so small cities could share a seat.
Council members expressed support. Councilmember Boyle said a seat would let the small cities provide formal input as EMS‑2 considers ambulance contracts and service-area arrangements; Councilmember Leija and others agreed. The mayor asked whether the council wanted a formal vote; staff said the council’s consensus was sufficient to report back and that a formal municipal vote would be taken when a final amendment is submitted.
Background provided in the discussion noted EMS‑2 historically piggybacked on a 10-year ambulance contract held by the City of Vancouver. That arrangement will change after 2025 because Vancouver told participating jurisdictions it would not continue piggybacking the contract; EMS‑2 is evaluating options for ambulance service procurement and whether contracts can be structured to avoid a standby fee that could carry substantial cost.
Ending: Staff will report the council’s consensus to the EMS‑2 board and the district will return a formal amendment for the council to consider once details — composition, terms and any related contract impacts — are finalized.
