Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about the proposed annexation of the City of Battle Ground to Clark County Fire District 3. I want to provide you with some information about why we are considering annexation, and answer any questions that you may have. First? The basics. The City of Battle Ground contracts for fire and EMS with Fire District 3. This partnership has been in place since 2016, but a contract relationship causes some challenges for both parties. For the City, emergency service costs will exceed its general fund revenue by the time the contract has to be renewed. This impacts the City’s ability to fund other services like police, roads and parks. Having property owners in the City annex to the Fire District would remove fire and EMS costs from its budget. That revenue can then be used to fund these City services. From the Fire District’s perspective, the contract we have with Battle Ground provides additional units to respond to 911 calls for Fire District residents. We also fund a fire marshal and fire prevention services in our local schools through this partnership. If the City has to cut costs for emergency services, these benefits go away. For residents in both communities, annexation means the Fire District can plan long-term for emergency service needs to serve the City and our residents in the unincorporated areas. We cannot do this with a short-term contract agreement and, considering our proximity to one another, it’s short-sighted to do otherwise. As a final note, the contract revenue we receive from the City should not be confused with the recent fire levy lid lift our taxpayers approved. Those funds are accounted for separately, and your tax dollars go directly to emergency services for Fire District residents. Annexation will be on the February 2020 ballot, and it must be approved by voters in the City and the Fire District. If you have any questions, please contact Fire Chief Scott Sorenson at scott@fire3.org or (360) 892-2331. PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE: The City of Battle Ground and Clark County Fire District 3 are holding public meetings to answer questions regarding the annexation proposal on the February 11, 2020 Special Election ballot. Meeting dates and times are as follows:
MORE INFORMATION: Questions about the Annexation? Answers can be found here. Find our latest informational video here. IN THE NEWS Clark County Fire District 3 officials discuss impacts of potential annexation Link to: The Columbian - February 6, 2020 Strategic plan approved for Clark County Fire District 3 Link to: The Reflector - January 27, 2020 Commentary: Examining facts about annexation from BG and District 3 Link to: The Reflector - January 27, 2020 Battle Ground, Fire District 3 asking voters to OK annexation Link to: The Columbian - January 14, 2020 Letter to the editor: Fire annexation is fair and cost-effective for taxpayers Link to: The Reflector - January 13, 2020 Public meetings scheduled to answer questions about Battle Ground annexation to Fire District 3 Link to: The Columbian - January 13, 2020 Meetings set ahead of fire annexation vote Link to: The Columbian - January 13, 2020 Local View: Fire District annexation would benefit BG police Link to: The Columbian - January 12, 2020 Fire Chief and city manager welcome invitations to talk about annexation Link to: The Reflector - November 18, 2019 Battle Ground, Fire District 3 leaders partner to talk about the annexation vote Link to: The Columbian - November 18, 2019 Fire District 3 Seeks Volunteers for Committee to Write Statements For, Against Annexation of Battle Ground Residents. Link to: Annexation Committee "For" and "Against" Letter: Fire District 3 Chief and Battle Ground City Manager offer thanks Link to: Clark County Today - November 11, 2019 Fire District 3 puts annexation on ballot. First public hearing held for Battle Ground fire annexation plan Link to: Clark County Today – October 10, 2019
Battle Ground weighs annexing Fire District Link to: KOIN TV – October 7, 2109
Letter: Fire District 3 chief invites area residents to public hearings to discuss annexation Link to: Clark County Today – September 30, 2019
Battle Ground to consider annexation into fire district Link to: The Reflector - September 30, 2019
Public meetings to tackle Fire District 3 annexation Link to: The Columbian – September 20, 2019
Public invited to hearings on possible annexation vote for city and fire district Link to: Clark County Today – September 19, 2019
Battle Ground, Fire District 3 work toward annexation vote Link to: The Columbian – August 31, 2019
City of Battle Ground officials identify improvements or cuts if annexation vote occurs Link to: Clark County Today – August 30, 2019
Clark County Fire District 3 officials make case for annexation Link to: Clark County Today – August 26, 2109
Battle Ground eyes 2020 fire district annexation vote Link to: The Reflector – August 5, 2019
City leaders want to annex into Clark County Fire District 3 to free up funding for other services Link to: Clark County Today – June 28, 2019
Battle Ground, Fire District 3 explore annexation plan Link to: The Columbian – June 10, 2019
MEDIA RELEASES Public Meetings Scheduled to Answer Questions About Battle Ground Annexation to Fire District 3 - January 9, 2020 Link to PDF. Strategic Plan Approved for Clark County Fire District 3 - January 6, 2020 Link to PDF. City Manager and Fire Chief Welcome Invites to Talk About Annexation - November 15, 2019 Link to PDF. Clark County Fire District 3 Passes Annexation Resolution - October 29, 2019 Link to PDF.
Battle Ground City Council Passes Annexation Ordinance for Emergency Services – October 22, 2019 Link to PDF Public Invited to Hearings on Possible Annexation Vote for City and Fire District - September 18, 2019 Link to PDF
Annexation Discussion Continues for Battle Ground and Clark County Fire District 3 - July 31, 2019 Link to PDF |
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