Coos County BOC approves resolution to advance Fairview Rural Fire Protection District annexation to ballot

The Coos County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution from the Fairview Rural Fire Protection District and directed county staff to prepare an order scheduling a final hearing and a ballot title so residents in the affected territory can vote on annexation.

County legal counsel explained the proceeding was conducted under ORS chapter 198 and said staff reviewed the annexation for consistency with the Coos County comprehensive plan and zoning. Planning staff reported the annexation aligns with county land-use policy and noted coordination with other agencies required by state law. "Jill put together a report, and she's found that it aligns with the Coos County comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances regarding fire protection," a county attorney told the board.

The district’s local counsel, Jane Stebbins, traced the annexation’s multi-year history and said the district initially pursued a petition route before switching to an annexation by resolution after procedural hurdles. "They had the requisite amount of signatures to go the signature route ... but procedurally, there was an issue with the petition process. And so you guys opted instead to annex by way of a resolution, which you guys adopted just recently," Stebbins said.

Planning staff said the district has conferred with the Oregon Department of Forestry and another forestry-protection association required under state law, and that neither agency opposed the annexation. The county also reported preliminary approval from the Department of Revenue on the annexation map and legal description.

During the public-hearing portion, one commenter, Jim Bennett, criticized broader wildfire management and nonprofit involvement, calling some wildfires "acts of war against the people." Commissioner(s) then closed the hearing and called the question. A commissioner formally moved to approve the Fairview RFPD resolution and direct staff to prepare the county order and schedule a final hearing; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The board’s action sends the annexation forward for voter consideration in the affected territory; the county will next consider the ballot title at a final hearing after staff prepares the order and materials.