The committee received an update on work by the public-safety working group on a potential fire district, and members expressed concern about tax impacts and how the city would use any general-fund savings if fire services move to a district model.

A working-group representative said the group has drafted a proposed five-year contract and is discussing putting the proposal on a future ballot. Members noted the fire-district plan would require coordinated action by multiple cities and that any district would be a separate taxing authority with its own board and tax rate.

Tax and equity concerns: committee members asked how a new districts tax rate would affect Troutdale households and whether the city would credit or return any freed-up general-fund dollars to residents. During discussion a committee member, Doric, summarized an estimate used as an example: a 3.6-per-$1,000 rate would raise about $150 per month (roughly $1,800 annually) on a $500,000 home, a figure the committee used only as an illustration for planning.

Committee members said the core questions are: what services will the district provide, how much will it charge, and what happens to the citys budget obligation after the change. Several members urged early education and transparency for voters so residents understand the tradeoffs before a ballot measure.

Next steps: the public-safety working group will continue drafting contract language and voter outreach plans; the committee asked to be kept informed and to weigh in on priorities such as service levels and use of any freed city dollars.