Search Results for 'regional fire authority' | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board had a special meeting on Tuesday, November 15.

Proposed Regional Fire Authority’s property tax shift and fee would not occur until 2024

“If the RFA passes up the ballot in April of 2023, the shift of property tax and any resulting general fund expense reduction will not occur until 2024.” Jay Burney, Olympia city … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/16/22 | 2 comments

Karen Reed, a consultant for the plan Regional Fire Authority, updated the public on the new FBC cost. At a public hearing held Monday, November 14, 2022, she presented tables reflecting the lower weights and FBC cost under Option 5.

Regional Fire Authority committee updates public: New Fire Benefit Charge option to lower its cost

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee has updated the public on the new development regarding the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) calculation, which would lower the fee for property owners … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/15/22 | 2 comments

The Regional Fire Authority planning committee held a public hearing at Tumwater City Hall on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Community members want uniform Fire Benefit Charge

The Regional Fire Authority planning committee, on Monday, November 14, opened a public hearing for Olympia and Tumwater community members to listen to the community members' opinions on the proposed … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/15/22

If both city councils approve a plan, Olympia and Tumwater voters will be asked to merge their fire departments into a new regional entity.

Olympia & Tumwater to hold another meeting about merging and divesting fire departments, Monday, November 14

Olympia and Tumwater will host a public hearing on Monday, November 14, 5:30 p.m. at Tumwater City Hall to listen to community members’ ideas on the cities’ proposed Regional Fire … more

11/11/22

Olympia and Tumwater held a joint study session on October 25, 2022. The council members from both cities discussed the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Olympia, Tumwater discuss the proposed RFA in a joint session

Olympia will look at a levy lid lift to increase property taxes to address the issue of its fire department funding if voters do not approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority, Olympia council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/26/22 | 3 comments

This screenshot shows the Citizen Toolbox calculator for the proposed fire benefit charge for residential properties.

Thinking about the proposed Regional Fire Authority? So is Larry Dzieza

When Larry Dzieza saw that a square root was part of a formula that Olympia and Tumwater were planning to propose that would calculate a new fee to cover some of the costs involved with providing … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 7 comments

This slide is included in the packet for the October 25, 2022 joint meeting of the Tumwater and Olympia city councils.

How much would you pay if a Fire Benefit Charge is approved? Calculate it here

Spinning off Tumwater’s and Olympia’s fire departments would create a new local government agency with its own taxing authority. The two city councils are set to meet to consider the … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 4 comments

At the Regional Fire Authority planning committee meeting on October 10, 2022, Karen Reed, consultant for the proposed RFA, showed a table of Fire Benefit Charge formula options, which reflects a reduced fee for the residential sector.

RFA Planning Committee to forward recommendations to Olympia, Tumwater City Councils

UPDATED: October 12, 2022 - This update clarifies that the recommended formula for the Fire Benefit Charge continues to include a square root in the calculation. The Regional Fire … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/11/22 | 4 comments

At the Regional Fire Authority planning committee meeting on October 3, 2022, consultant to the RFA, Neil Blindheim, presented a table showing less regressive and favors small houses and small businesses with a formula with a square foot charge.

RFA committee reviews FBC formula with and without fire flow

RFA committee reviews FBC formula with and without fire flow Legal conundrum By Lorilyn C. Lirio The Regional Fire Authority planning committee is exploring a new Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/4/22 | 5 comments

A five-year projection of Tumwater’s finances sees the fund balance falling under the required amount by 2027.

Tumwater’s fund balance projected to fall under the required minimum amount by 2027

According to data projections made by Tumwater's Finance Director, Troy Niemeyer, Tumwater’s fund balance is predicted to fall below the minimum required balance by 2027. The 2027 balance is … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/30/22 | 4 comments

The Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee members reviewed Fire Benefit Charge options at the meeting held September 26, 2022.

Proposed Regional Fire Authority considers various formulas for a ‘Fire Benefit Charge’

The planning committee for the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) met again yesterday and reviewed several options for the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC), a fee that would be sent with property taxes … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio and Danny Stusser | 9/27/22 | 3 comments

At the RFA planning committee meeting on September 12, 2022, consultant for RFA Karen Reed presented charts that reflect the impact of estimated FBC adjustments in various properties.

RFA committee discusses possible FBC adjustments

Regional Fire Authority planning committee members are considering six options to adjust the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) formula. At the RFA planning committee meeting held Monday, September 12, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/13/22 | 2 comments

The December 15, 2021 fire that destroyed several businesses, including this one, and an under-construction apartment building, was put out by Olympia Fire Department working in cooperation with several other agencies, including vehicles and firefighters from Tumwater.

Olympia, Tumwater city managers on proposed merger of fire departments

City managers Jay Burney of Olympia and John Doan of Tumwater sat with The JOLT last Friday to answer questions about the proposed Regional Fire Authority, the accompanying Fire Benefit Charge, and … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/23/22 | 9 comments

At the Town Hall meeting held Monday, August 15, 2022, Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley and Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson discussed the importance of quick response in medical emergencies and fire situations.

Fire department chiefs speak out about why Tumwater and Olympia need a regional fire authority

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley said that creating a Regional Fire Department (RFA) is the best way to address challenges faced by Olympia and Tumwater fire departments. The RFA planning … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/16/22 | 7 comments

RFA planning committee's proposed FBC classifications and weights - one of the factors in the FBC formula.

Proposed Regional Fire Authority committee holding a Town Hall session on Monday

Both city councils received briefings on Tuesday; reactions slightly differed Tumwater and Olympia city council members received separate briefings on Tuesday about the proposed Regional Fire … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio, Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 8/12/22 | 1 comment

Many special ‘Days’ to enjoy

If you are a regular reader of this column, you are aware that I track the 1500+ “National Days”. For instance, yesterday was International Cat Day (so give your kitty extra loving if … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 8/9/22

This slide shows budgets for the proposed RFA growing from $39.7 million in 2024 to $52.9 million in 2030.

Are you ready to pay 47% more for fire and EMS in 2024 than you did in 2022?

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee will meet for the 12th time this Monday, August 8 at 5:30 p.m. to prepare its recommendations to Olympia and Tumwater city councils the following … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/5/22 | 17 comments

The RFA committee members voted to recommend Option 4 for fire governing board structure during the RFA planning committee meeting on July 25, 2022.

Who would run the proposed regional fire authority?

If voters approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) of Olympia and Tumwater, its governing board would likely be composed of one individual appointed by each city council and five citizens … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/26/22 | 3 comments

At the Olympia Finance Committee meeting held on July 20, 2022, Finance Director Aaron Miller discussed the impact of RFA in the city and the effect on property tax collections.

Combined fire departments could reduce Olympia’s fire expense; 'excess' may address future costs

The creation of the Regional Fire Authority, merging the fire agencies of Olympia and Tumwater, could reduce Olympia's expenses and address "bow wave" items in the budget, according to Finance … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/25/22 | 4 comments

At the planning meeting for a proposed Regional Fire Authority on July 11, 2022, consultant Karen Reed discussed a Fire Benefit Charge.

New 'Fire Benefit Charge' would rate properties - and annual charges - according to size, use

During the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee meeting on Monday, July 11, consultant Karen Reed presented a new financial model that could increase revenues for the first seven years of … more

By Lorilyn C. Liro and Danny Stusser | 7/15/22 | 10 comments