Regional Fire Authority and its fire benefit charge
Bellingham and Fire District 8A new agency would run fire and EMS for Bellingham and Fire District 8, paid by a property tax and a benefit charge. Next: On Nov. 2 the Council postponed the joint resolution indefinitely, 6-1, after taking it back from the table, 7-0. In committee, a motion to have staff draft a tax-relief ordinance was tabled indefinitely, 6-1 (City Action Summary). The summary does not say what happens next with the ballot measure. The City Council's Oct. 19 Committee of the Whole discussion of the impacts on the City budget was information only (City Action Summary).
What we get, the trade-off, what's next
What we get
One new agency would run fire and emergency medical service for Bellingham and Fire District 8. The draft plan keeps current service and works toward the comprehensive plans' levels; it sets no budget, staffing or response-time targets. Today 67% of critical in-city calls get a crew within 5:30. The target is 90%.
What it costs
$375 a year, median home
The median home is 2,382 sq ft. On top of the charge, the property tax is $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. Qualifying senior and disabled owners are exempt. About $21.5M a year in all, per the fire authority. The Nov. 2 joint resolution caps the property tax at $1.00 per $1,000 and the six-year charge at 60% of the authority's operating budget. The plan has the City give the authority $10 million in its first year, plus a cash-flow loan.
The trade-off
If it passes: Finance estimates the City saves about $20M in 2028. The deputy administrator's memo lists possible tax cuts, the largest ending the $3M firefighter pension levy. The Council has made no decision.
If it fails: The same memo says closing the City's $8M 2027 gap takes about 40 more positions, across police, fire, library, parks and planning.
Timeline
- DoneCity Council formed the planning committee (Resolution 2026-05)
- Oct. 19City Council Committee of the Whole discussion of Regional Fire Authority impacts on the City budget: information only (City Action Summary)
- Nov. 2Joint resolution: in committee, a motion to draft a tax-relief ordinance was tabled indefinitely, 6-1. At the Council meeting the item was taken from the table, 7-0, then postponed indefinitely, 6-1 (City Action Summary)
- By Dec. 11Resolution must reach the County Auditor for the Feb. 9 election
- Feb. 9, 2027Special election; it needs 60%
- July 1, 2027Authority would start if approved; it would begin levying in 2028
How to weigh in: Send written comments to fire@cob.org.
The question: Would the City end the fire pension levy, and what would the rest of the $20M fund?
The charge, explained · Deputy administrator's memo, AB 25100 · Joint resolution, AB 25120 (Nov. 2)
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