Fire district boundaries on agenda today

The Boundary Review Board will meet today to examine Spokane Valley’s proposal to permanently become part of two fire districts.

The public hearing will address boundary issues, particularly in the Morningside neighborhood on the eastern edge of Spokane Valley. A dozen parcels there straddle both the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8, complicating issues such as taxation, voting and fire protection.

Fire chiefs from the district have submitted a proposal to modify the boundaries in the Morningside neighborhood to eliminate the confusion, said Susan Winchell, director of the Boundary Review Board office.

After hearing testimony, the Boundary Review Board could accept or modify the fire district’s proposal.

Under state law, new cities, after two years, must permanently annex one or more fire districts, contract for fire-protection services or start a municipal fire department.

The city plans to hold an election this fall on a proposal to keep fire district service areas as they are by annexing to both the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Fire District 8. The Boundary Review Board hearing is part of the process required to get the issue on the ballot, Winchell said.

The hearing will be held today in Spokane Valley’s council chambers, 11707 E. Sprague, at 3 p.m. For more information, call the Boundary Review Board office at 477-4237.