Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority narrowly leads in early returns

A second proposal to create a Camas-Washougal regional fire authority was narrowly passing in early election results Tuesday night.

Proposition 2, if passed, would ratify a regional fire authority protection service plan approved by the Camas and Washougal city councils earlier this year. The new Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority would provide fire protection and emergency medical services in Camas and Washougal beginning Sept. 1.

Results released by Clark County’s elections office about 8:30 p.m. showed 4,415 “yes” votes (50.29 percent) to 4,364 “no” votes (49.71 percent).

Camas-Washougal Fire Department Fire Chief Cliff Free said he is optimistic the measure will pass.

“The Camas-Washougal communities have always been supportive of fire and EMS services, and this is ultimately going to provide a more stable funding and governance structure so that we can better serve the community,” Free said Tuesday.

A similar measure on the ballot in April failed by about 300 votes.

The regional fire authority would operate under a six-member governing board, initially filled by council members of both cities. Funding would be through a property tax not to exceed $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed value to be collected in 2027. The regional fire authority would have the lowest tax rate among fire districts in Clark County, Free previously said.

The property tax would replace a portion of both cities’ existing lawful property tax levies. Property taxes will decrease by 88 cents per $1,000 in assessed value in Washougal and by 71 cents per $1,000 in assessed value in Camas if the proposition is approved. Differences in property values between the cities cause the disparity, Free previously said.