Title
Regional Fire Authority Planning Governance Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee recommends receiving a briefing on the legal requirements and options related to governance of a Regional Fire Authority. The Committee seeks input from the Council on proposed options, but no final action required at this time.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the legal requirements and options related to governance of a Regional Fire Authority and provide input on proposed options, with no final action required at this time.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the legal requirements and options related to governance of a Regional Fire Authority and provide input on proposed options, with no final action required at this time.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, City Manager, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, City Manager
Karen Reed, Consultant
Background and Analysis:
In 2019, the City of Olympia participated with the City of Tumwater and other local Fire agencies in a study to evaluate options for an RFA.
The study looked at opportunities to improve emergency services in the Olympia and Tumwater communities and explored partnership opportunities to provide these services regionally. Findings from this study, which were presented at an elected official’s workshop in November 2019, recommended further exploration of a Regional Fire Authority as Olympia and Tumwater share similar risk profiles, histories, and organizational structures, there may be a potential to control costs and improve service delivery, it would level tax rates across the region, provide greater equity, and leverages individual agency strengths, and minimizes weaknesses.
On May 18, 2021, the City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the City of Tumwater which provides the framework for a planning process that looks at the viability of a Regional Fire Authority between the cities of Olympia and Tumwater.
Staff will present a briefing outlining the legal requirements and options for RFA governance; a plan for developing governance recommendations; what governance looks like for other RFAs; and a set of potential governance options proposed by the RFA Planning Committee. The RFA Planning Committee is seeking input on proposed options, but no final action is required at the time.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
An RFA may provide options to improve fire service delivery in the Olympia and Tumwater communities. An RFA planning process will engage both communities in this evaluation.
Options:
1. Receive an update on the legal requirements and options related to governance of a Regional Fire Authority and provide input on proposed options, with no final action required at this time.
2. Do not receive an update on the legal requirements and options related to governance of a Regional Fire Authority and provide input on proposed options, with no final action required at this time.
3. Receive the update at another time.
Financial Impact:
The cost of moving forward with a Regional Fire Authority planning process is estimated to cost $150,000 (Olympia’s share). Funding is available through 2020 Year End Savings.
Attachments:
Presentation