County auditors ask Fire District 6 to clarify petition method after annexation documents filed

County staff told commissioners they have received a petition and related materials from Okanogan County Fire Protection District 6 seeking annexation of territory. The packet included a petition that the district claims meets the 60% petition threshold under state law, plus documents indicating the district held a hearing and adopted a final determination of non-significance under SEPA.

Staff advised the board the district’s submitted resolution did not explicitly state which statutory annexation method the district wanted the Board of County Commissioners to apply — specifically, whether the district sought to dispense with an election per the petition method under state law. County staff said the Auditor’s Office must verify the petition signatures for sufficiency and then the commissioners may accept the petition, fix a public hearing date and publish notice. If the district wishes to proceed under the petition method and avoid an election, the district must submit a modified resolution to that effect; staff said it would be a relatively small amendment but is needed to proceed.

County staff offered to contact the district to request a formal clarifying resolution so the auditor can certify sufficiency and the board can issue an order. Commissioners directed staff to follow up and return when the district provides the requested language.