Commissioners continue public hearing after heated testimony over South Mason Fire District withdrawal request

Mason County commissioners on Tuesday continued a contentious public hearing on South Mason Fire & Rescue’s request to withdraw Squaxin Island tribal territory, agreeing to reconvene at 09:15 a.m. on May 12 to allow more negotiation and legal review.

Tribal members, elders and local residents told the commission that the district’s emergency responders save lives and that withdrawal would harm communities served by District 4. “This is really a matter of life and death,” said Vicky Krueger, who identified herself as a Squaxin Island tribal elder. Joshua Whitener, tribal council treasurer, said the tribe and district were close to signing a memorandum of understanding over fees and argued that withdrawing territory now would “put a stain on that relationship.”

Eric Quinn, general counsel for South Mason Fire & Rescue, told commissioners that the district’s decision followed months of deliberation and is based on an ongoing funding problem: most local fire-district revenue is property-tax based and tribal trust land does not generate property-tax revenue. Quinn cited statutory constraints on tax growth and the district’s rising service demands, saying an “unfunded service obligation” threatens sustainability.

Fire Chief Greg Rudolph said the department responds to roughly 250 calls a year and that service and equipment costs have increased sharply. “If it was an emotional decision, we would just continue moving on like we are,” Rudolph said, adding that the district must plan for the next 20 years and cannot sustain unfunded obligations indefinitely.

Nathan Schreiner, tribal attorney, urged the board to find that withdrawal would not benefit the tribe and, if so, allow the matter to proceed to a public vote. Several speakers asked the board instead to delay action and send the question to voters or require further negotiation between the tribe and the district.

County staff flagged legal and election-timing constraints. After consulting with legal counsel in executive session, commissioners agreed they could postpone the hearing for up to three weeks and that, if delayed too long, the matter might not appear on the August primary ballot and could require a special election or run on the November ballot instead.

Commissioner discussion emphasized a preference for additional negotiation and putting the decision in voters’ hands if the commission denies the district’s request. The motion to continue the hearing to May 12 carried by voice vote.

The board left the record open for further outreach and set the continued hearing to give parties time to meet and attempt an agreement. The county provided legal citations and resolution drafts in meeting materials; commissioners asked staff to confirm election-timing specifics and costs for placing a measure on the ballot.

Next step: the commission will hold the continued public hearing at 09:15 a.m. on May 12 to revisit the request and any new agreements or evidence.