1. Regional Fire Authority Annexation The Tukwila Experience
Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers.
WCMA Conference – August 2016
David Cline, Tukwila City Administrator

2. The Big Takeaways
After years of discussions, Tukwila chose to not annex to Kent Regional Fire Authority in 2016
There wasn’t a crisis, yet
Finances didn’t pencil out – not a huge cost savings in the short term
Council and Community didn’t see need for change, while the Fire Union did
A Few Public Comments
“We love OUR fire department, why would we change?”
“We are willing to pay more to keep our OWN Fire Department”
- 65 Firefighters,
- 4 stations,
- $11 million annual budget
- 8 square miles

3. History Regionalization discussed for several years
2010 – Study of merging with City of SeaTac
– Kent Regional Fire Authority Several Workgroups and Study
2011 – First Steering Committee put on Hold as Kent RFA and SeaTac created contract model
2014 – Internal City Committee reviewed alternatives, recommended RFA as best option
2015 – Second Steering Committee, split recommendation to annex to Kent RFA
2016 – City Council decided not to annex to Kent RFA and focus on City Fire Department
2016 – City Council put public safety bond on Nov. 8 Election
Replacing 3 stations and fund Fire apparatus and equipment
Criminal Justice Center for Police and Courts

4. This was a general time frame presented by the 2014 Exploratory Committee.

5.  Lessons Learned
Know why you changing model – Financial, Service, Leadership?
Do the detailed analysis
Financial First, include all costs – if it doesn’t pencil out, stop there, Operational, Indirect, Capital needs, Equipment replacement
Be objective – Make sure it isn’t run by the fire department
Clearly state what the City will do with its excess capacity – Use it or lose it
Recognize different stakeholders – Fire Union, City, Council, Community
Don’t underestimate the passion
“We love OUR fire department” to “I can’t believe the City Council/Mayor didn’t do this”
Financial – is there a deficit? Is it negatively impacting other City Services?
Service – is response time worsening? Need to close a station?
Leadership/Direction –Department working well? Strong leadership?

8. Fire Benefit Charge – Key Issue in moving to RFA
Allows charge based on need – can shift costs to Commercial from Residential
Can be up to 60% of operating costs
Has to be approved by 60% every six years
Can vary by geographic areas, business type

9. Fire Benefit Charge – Easily Explained
Initial imposition of FBC requires 60% voter approval (RCW )
Renewing existing FBC requires 60 for RFAs%, renew every 6 years (RCW )
The FBC takes the place of the 3rd 50 cent property tax levy (RCW )
Cannot exceed 60% of the annual operating budget (RCW )
Imposed on personal property and improvements to real property (RCW )
FBC is added to property tax bills
County charges a fee to collect the funds (currently 1%)
Formula shall be reasonably proportioned to the measurable benefits to property (RCW )
Any other method that reasonably apportions the benefit charges is acceptable. (RCW )
Exceptions, limitations:
Property owned by religious organizations (RCW )
Property not assessed and subjected to ad valorem taxation under Title 84 (RCW )
Property that is subject to a contract for services (RCW )
Low income, seniors that qualify for exemptions under RCW through are exempt from a portion of the FBC. 25%, 50% or 75% exemption

10. Fire Benefit Charge – Explained, Take 2
Kent Regional Fire Authority - Tukwila Service Area Benefit Charge Formula:
Square root of total square footage X 18 X Category Factor X Fire Flow Factor X Response Factor X Risk Factor X Applicable Discount = FBC
Total square footage of structure(s)
Category Factors:
,799
1, ,699
2, ,599
3, ,999
4, ,999
5, ,999
8, ,999
10, ,999
15, ,999
20, ,999
30, ,999
50, ,999
100, ,999
140, ,999
200, ,999
300, ,999
400, ,000
500, ,999
600, ,000
700, ,999
1,000,000 - and >
Residential
0.70
Mobile Homes
Apartments
1.60
3.25
6.70
8.60
11.10
14.25
Commercial
1.10
1.30
1.40
1.50
2.05
3.05
3.35
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.15
4.25
Fire Flow Factor:* *
Response Factor:**
Residental
1.00
1.35
1.65
2.25
Manufactured Homes
1.18
1.75
2.65
4.10
4.30
4.40
4.50
Risk Factor:***
Light Hazard
Ordinary Hazard - 1
Ordinary Hazard - 2
Extra Hazard - 1
Extra Hazard -2
Discounts:
Automatic Fire Sprinklers
0.900
Manual Local Alarm
0.980
Manual Central Alarm
0.950
Automatic Local Alarm
0.970
Automatic Central Alarm
0.925
Agricultural
0.250
*Fire flow factor is estimated until final tax and property data is certified by the King County Assessor
**Response factor is based upon the number of firefighters needed to deliver the required fireflow
*** Risk factors apply to commercial property, are defined by the NFPA and are assigned by inspection performed by the Fire Authority.

11. Tukwila Moving Forward
Keep our Fire Department – Ask Voters for Financial Support for Capital
Hire new Permanent Fire Chief
Continue Regional Efforts through South King County Training Consortium

12. Questions?