Letters to the Editor: April 4, 2025

Vote ‘yes’ on the RFA: a smarter, safer future for our community

In response to Mr. Perman’s April 3 letter to the editor regarding the proposed Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority, there seems to be some confusion about how the city’s budget works. Let’s set the record straight.

The improvements to Crown Park come from the capital budget, which is funded by one-time developer fees and rental fees that are legally restricted for infrastructure and park improvements. These funds cannot be used for day-to-day operations like police or fire services. Just like a homeowner takes out a mortgage to buy a house, the city uses long-term debt to fund long-term projects — and the payments come from those dedicated funds. 

Now, let’s talk about public safety. The additional police staff the city asked voters to fund through a 4 percent utility tax is part of the operating budget. Operating costs — like salaries for police officers and firefighters — require a consistent, ongoing source of revenue. The city cannot legally use one-time funds for these expenses. That’s why additional revenue was needed: to prevent cuts to other already stretched departments and ensure we have enough police officers as our city grows. 

And this is exactly why we need the RFA. 

Right now, the fire department is funded through the general fund, which also pays for other essential services. When unexpected emergencies — like wildfires or firefighter overtime — arise, the money has to come from somewhere, often taking resources away from other critical city services. 

An RFA fixes this problem by creating a dedicated fire budget, ensuring funds are used exclusively for fire and emergency medical services. This means:

• Faster response times – No more financial roadblocks that could delay emergency response.
• Stable, reliable funding – Fire and EMS will no longer compete with other city services for funding.
• Fair, transparent taxation – Every household in the RFA boundary will contribute equally.
• Local control – Governance will be in the hands of the people, ensuring accountability.

Without an RFA, the cities cannot afford to continue the current Interlocal Agreement (ILA). If it collapses, fire services will be split up, costs will go up, response times will likely increase, and we could see higher employee turnover — all of which put public safety at risk.

The city council spent a year planning this, funding two consultant studies, and investing in this ballot measure because they know this is the best choice for our community. The facts are clear: a “yes” vote means safer neighborhoods, faster emergency response, and long-term stability.

On Election Day, vote “yes” on the RFA. It’s the right choice for our city’s future.

Bonnie Carter,

Camas