Ross council certifies Friends of the Ross Firehouse petition and orders special election; citizens form advisory committee

The Ross Town Council on Feb. 14 certified that the Friends of the Ross Firehouse initiative petition met procedural requirements and ordered the measure to a special election consolidated with the county.

Town Manager Krista Johnson summarized the petition process and said county staff verified 296 valid signatures, above the 173 required. The town clerk then certified the petition as sufficient to qualify as an initiative for the ballot. Johnson summarized the initiative’s key provisions, saying it would amend the municipal code to “require the town maintain an operational fire station within town limits and prioritize rehabilitation or reconstruction of the existing fire station site,” and it specifies minimum operational requirements including at‑least one active and one reserve engine and minimum firefighters on duty.

Council debated whether to adopt the ordinance outright, send it to the November general election or order a special consolidated election. Election counsel explained the county recommended June 2 for a special election if the town wished to consolidate earlier; staff estimated placing the measure on the November general election would cost the town roughly $3,000–$6,000, while a special election could range $11,000–$27,000 depending on turnout and consolidation options.

After discussion, Council moved to adopt resolution 2609 to order a special election on the certified initiative; the motion passed 3‑2 (Mayor McMillan and Council member Dowling voting No; Council member Kercher, Council member Salter and Mayor Pro Tem Robbins voting Yes).

Separately, item 12 asked the council to consider forming a short‑term ad hoc advisory committee to evaluate the Friends proposal and related civic center implications. Town Manager Johnson proposed a limited‑duration committee of two council members to return findings and recommendations by May 14. During public comment, two residents — Jeffrey **** and Robert Herbst — said they had formed an independent seven‑member citizens advisory committee to study the proposal and intended to provide input; members of that citizens group spoke about committee composition, confidentiality concerns and timeframes of roughly two to three months.

Town Manager Johnson emphasized the differences between a town ad hoc committee (which would operate under municipal rules and return nonbinding findings) and the citizen committee announced at the meeting; she said staff would coordinate with both efforts where appropriate.

Next procedural steps: the petition is certified and the council’s resolution ordering a special election stands. If the town wishes to place the measure on the ballot as drafted, the county must be asked to consolidate the special election and staff will schedule required ballot materials, impartial analyses and timelines.