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Troutdale task force hears lower-cost proposal from Fire District 10 as cities weigh district options
Summary
Representatives of Fire District 10 presented a model at a $2.85 per $1,000 rate that the task force said could be $10–12 million cheaper than Gresham's proposals and add two stations and four-person engine crews; members discussed asset transfer, voter approval and multi-city options but made no final decision.
Troutdale task-force members reviewed competing proposals for fire service delivery, including a presentation from Fire District 10 that emphasized lower administrative costs, four-person engine crews and two additional stations in an "enhanced" model.
District 10 representatives told the task force their permanent rate model of $2.85 per $1,000 produced a lower-cost option and staffing approach that appeared to come in $10–12 million below the Gresham model presented to the committee. The presenters highlighted administrative efficiencies and station-based training that they said would keep more apparatus in service and shorten response times.
Committee members asked how existing capital assets and apparatus would be handled if cities join a district, whether assets would transfer or remain the property of their current owners and what liabilities or division-of-assets arrangements would be necessary. Task-force speakers stressed that any new district would require voter approval in each jurisdiction and likely a coordinated outreach campaign to persuade residents to accept new taxes or levies.
One committee member said District 10's proposal "gets more firefighters and paramedics on the street" for less money; presenters noted trade-offs including the need to negotiate how assets are divided if one large city (Gresham) or multiple cities join.
Options discussed included remaining with the current Gresham contract, forming a new multi-city district, joining Fire District 10, or joining Clackamas (referred to in the meeting as "Clackamas 1"). Multiple speakers said an apples-to-apples comparison of proposals is needed and that voters ultimately must approve any new district or levy.
No binding action was taken. The task force scheduled follow-up work and public outreach; members emphasized they would not recommend anything that did not increase service levels and that asset and liability divisions would be negotiated only if the jurisdictions agree to move forward.
