Fire District Annexation Delayed

Spokane city officials have agreed to delay an annexation that could cost Valley Fire District 1 about $500,000 in annual property tax income.

For years, the city has been considering annexation of the Yardley district, a mostly industrial area between Havana and Thierman streets, north of Sprague Avenue.

Besides hurting the fire district’s budget, annexation would complicate fire and medic services to the area. Although two Valley Fire stations are located nearby, the annexed area would be the responsibility of the city and its more distant fire stations.

In an agreement signed by city and Valley Fire officials Wednesday, the city agreed not to annex any area within Valley Fire District 1 until at least 2004. It also agreed to give the district two years’ notice if it decides to annex a piece of land, allowing both parties time to work out bugs in service.

“The laws were in favor of the city annexing,” said Pat Humphries, Valley Fire chief. “What we wanted to do is have time to plan.”

In the event of annexation, both sides agreed to work together to mitigate the adverse impacts on Valley Fire. Besides taking a chunk out of the fire district’s current tax base, annexation would require boundary and staffing changes for some district fire stations.

Creative planning would be required to keep service at current levels, district officials said.

One of several possible solutions would be the creation of a joint city/Valley fire station near the annexed area. Or, the city could contract out fire protection services for Yardley.

“We want to be sure the people in that area receive equivalent service,” Valley Fire commissioner Tom Gregory said. “I think the agreement is fair for the city and fair for the district.”