In Our View: Vote ‘yes’ on Prop. 2 to enhance fire protection

A proposal to create a regional fire authority in Camas and Washougal would enhance protection in the area and would be a wise investment for taxpayers. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a “yes” vote on Proposition No. 2.

As always, this is merely a recommendation, designed to provide information and foster discussion. In considering the measure, voters must weigh the benefits of a regional fire authority against the costs.

Such information is particularly important in this case. In April, voters rejected a similar plan by approximately 300 votes (51.4 percent were opposed) following a campaign that was rife with misinformation and specious claims. Now the measure is back on the ballot with some significant changes.

The current measure is listed under “Cities of Camas and Washougal Proposed Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Protection Service Authority Proposition No. 2.” If approved, it would “consolidate services with the intent to provide enhanced service delivery.” The authority would take effect on Sept. 1, 2026, and operate under a six-member board initially filled by members of the Camas and Washougal city councils. It would be funded by a property tax not to exceed $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed value to be collected in 2027.

Any property tax is certain to generate some opposition. To mitigate that, the city councils have approved other property tax reductions; in Washougal, property taxes will decrease by 88 cents per $1,000 in assessed value, and in Camas the amount is 71 cents per $1,000. Differences in property values between the cities lead to the disparity, officials said.

Those rebates do not match the $1.05 tax for the regional fire authority, but they do provide some relief. They also exceed the rebates tied to the April ballot measure, indicating that city leaders have heeded the concerns of voters who rejected the previous proposal.

In Camas, The Columbian has reported, the owner of an average home valued at $765,000 would see a tax increase of approximately $250 a year.

That leads to the question of what taxpayers will receive in exchange for their money. The proposal, authorities say, would include increased firefighter staffing, free ambulance co-pays for all Camas and Washougal residents, long-term stability for the joint entity and increased voter control. It also would prevent the dissolution of a 12-year-old joint fire department managed by the two cities.

“In order to do what needs to be done, taxes have to go up — by 34 cents per $1,000 with the current RFA,” Camas City Councilor Martin Elzingre said in August. “Citizens have to decide: Is it worth it?”

In making that determination, several facts are relevant. One is that state law requires responding fire trucks to be staffed with three people, but trucks in Camas and Washougal typically have two members; the national standard is four.

Another is that the issue requires a holistic look. Fire response is a factor in home insurance premiums, and poor coverage could result in higher costs for homeowners in Camas and Washougal. The measure would increase property taxes, but it could generate savings in insurance costs; improved response and free ambulance services also could save money in the event of an emergency.

The issue is complex and warrants serious contemplation from taxpayers. But after weighing the facts, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a “yes” vote in Camas and Washougal on Proposition No. 2.