PORT TOWNSEND — City Council members and Jefferson County Fire District No. 6 commissioners on Tuesday night unanimously approved a historic interlocal agreement to operate joint fire operations.
The agreement is intended to remain in effect at least until September.
Supporters contend that the joint operation between city and fire district departments would reduce costly service duplications, combine personnel, defer the need for costly recruitment and ultimately provide more services for the same cost.
The need for consolidation arose with the continuing increase in the required levels of service as revenues flattened.
“I don’t propose a reduction of budget,” Port Townsend Fire Chief Mike Mingee said, “but I do propose an increase of level of services.”
Signing expected soon
Within days, both sides are expected to sign the formal agreement, drafted by Port Townsend City Attorney John Watts.
The City Council unanimously approved entering into the agreement during its 2005 budget adoption talks Monday night at Fort Worden State Park.
“Hey, it was a surprise for me, too,” said a laughing City Councilman Geoff Masci, while opening Tuesday’s fire consolidation meeting with a briefing.
“I feel like that was very historic. It’s something that we’ve been working toward for a very long long time. I actually feel moved by this.”
