Fire District Merger Being Considered

Thu., Feb. 4, 1999

By Kevin Blocker kevinb@spokesman.com

The county’s Boundary Review Board is considering a plan to merge Fire District 6 with Fire District 9.

Officials say the merger will save taxpayers in the tiny district money and won’t cost taxpayers in District 9 a dime.

“If it’s approved, the outcome will benefit both districts,” said Susan Winchell, a planner with the review board.

If the review board approves the merger at its Monday meeting, the proposal would then be submitted to District 6 voters for approval in a special election.

“District 9 is a larger fire district with a broad base of support and has substantially better resources,” said Jim Graue, District 9’s assistant chief.

District 6 encompasses less than two-square miles between Market and Wilding roads. It’s wedged between District 9 and the city’s fire service. It has just one full-time employee.

District 6 has roughly 1,500 residents compared to nearly 35,000 in District 9, which claims 120-square miles. Officials in both districts also believe a merger will produce faster response times to emergencies.

All bonds and levies would be assumed by Fire District 9, Winchell said.

District 6 volunteers would be assigned to Station 98 in Morgan Acres but could voluntarily request transfer to another District 9 station.

District 9 serves Country Homes, Fairwood, Five Mile, Foothills, Gleneden, Linwood, Mead, Nine Mile, Northwood, Orchard Prairie, Seven Mile, Wandermere and Whitworth communities.

WHAT’S NEXT Meeting scheduled The public is invited to attend the Spokane County Boundary Review Board’s meeting regarding the proposed merger of Fire District 6 with Fire District 9. The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the lower-level hearing room of the Public Works Building at 1026 W. Broadway.

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