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Bothell council approves placing RFA annexation on November ballot; staff outline governance and fiscal terms
Summary
Council adopted a resolution to submit a ballot measure that would annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority and approve an amended RFA plan; staff said the effective joining date would be March 1, 2027 if voters approve, and discussed governance composition and projected levy/benefit-charge arrangements.
The Bothell City Council voted July 21 to adopt a resolution authorizing submission of a ballot measure to Bothell voters on Nov. 3, 2026 to annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority (RFA) and to approve an amended RFA plan.
Deputy City Manager Claire and staff reviewed a multi-year process that included a 2023 fire services study, an ILA executed in 2024 for executive-level coordination, and joint meetings with the RFA earlier this year. Quan, a staff lead on the RFA work, summarized key plan points including governance composition, transitional finances and an effective date if voters approve.
Quan noted governance and finances: “If approved, by the voters, the effective day of joining the RFA would be 03/01/2027,” he said, and described a proposed RFA board composition with nine members, including three seats for Bothell elected council representatives. He said the plan projects levy authority beginning for RFA property tax collection in 2028 with an illustrative levy rate of 45¢ per $1,000 assessed value plus a fire benefit charge; staff could not yet show the precise fire benefit charge that RFA will later determine.
The resolution passed 7–0. Council also authorized staff to appoint pro/con committee members to draft pamphlet statements and directed staff to file necessary documents with King County for ballot placement and voter information.
Next steps: staff will appoint pro/con committee members, file measure paperwork with King County, and support outreach and explanatory materials ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
