Fire merger proposal described at open house

Rosalia

An open house at the Rosalia Fire Station April 12 was conducted for the public to ask questions about the proposed annexation of the Town of Rosalia's fire department into Whitman County Fire District 7. Fire Chief Bill Tensfeld was present with several of the volunteer firefighters, Mayor Nanette Konishi and town council members.

“We are annexing the town into the district in order to better organize the finances and establish long-term goals,” Tensfeld stated. “The fire district has a dedicated funding stream from property taxes, while the town has a set budget in which the fire department competes with the other needs within the general budget fund.”

The annexation, if approved, will mean a slight increase in property taxes for town residents. The Town Council and the commissioners of Fire District 7 unanimously agreed on placing the proposal on the ballot.

“You will still see the same familiar faces responding to emergency calls,” Tensfeld said. He added he believes the annexation is important for the longevity of the fire department.

Deadline for ballots is April 26.