House passes Morrell bill to create fire-protection options for Milton

February 23, 2009

OLYMPIA—The Legislature voted 92-0 today to remove a state roadblock to improving fire and emergency medical services in the City of Milton.

The measure sponsored by Rep. Dawn Morrell (D-Puyallup) will enable-but not require-the Pierce County portion of the City of Milton to join a larger fire district with improved services.

"The problem is that Washington's fire-service annexation laws don't apply to cities that exist on two sides of a county line," said Morrell. "Unless we fix it, this legal loophole will continue to limit options for saving lives and property through improved emergency services in Milton, which is mostly in Pierce County but spills over into King County."

At a Feb. 5 hearing, City of Milton Mayor Katrina Asay testified that Morrell's bill (House Bill 1561) "would allow the county and the city to move forward in developing a common service area and working together to promote the safety of our citizens."

"The nice thing about this bill is that we're not asking for any money," Asay quipped. The measure was also strongly supported by Ed Goodlet, who serves as Fire Chief for Pierce County Fire District 8 and the City of Edgewood.

"In these difficult economic times, public safety agencies are continually being asked and expected to do more with less and to find ways to become even more efficient with our practices," Goodlet said. "This bill allows just that."

The Washington State Fire Commissioners and Association of Washington Cities also testified on behalf of the bill.

If signed into law, Morrell's proposal would give voters in the City of Milton the option of improving fire protection and EMS response by annexing the Pierce County portion of the city to Pierce County Fire District 8. The measure also includes safeguards for citizens relating to taxation, employment rights and other matters.

Jim Jaques, Fire Chief for the City of Milton, summed up the case for Morrell's legislation when he told the House Local Government Committee that the bill "would allow our citizens an opportunity to vote on an annexation into District 8, where we believe that financially, together, we can provide a higher level of service."

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