PORT LUDLOW — Jefferson County Fire District No. 3 consolidation talks with the Chimacum fire department are on hold, Port Ludlow Fire Chief Wayne Kier said Thursday.
The situation could require a levy increase in Port Ludlow to maintain the existing level of service, Kier warned.
Port Ludlow-based Fire District No. 3 attempted to continue negotiations with Fire District No. 1 (Chimacum) after North Kitsap Fire District pulled out of three-district conversations to combine services.
North Kitsap withdrew support in November, after its leadership cited differences in philosophy.
“Now, Chimacum fire are initiating talks with District No. 6, [Cape George], and Port Ludlow was not invited to those talks,” a visibly upset Kier told the Village Council at a meeting Thursday.
“What’s next? I propose we go it alone for a few years.”
