City of Renton and Fire District 40
Annexation of the Benson Hill Communities will cause about one third of Fire District 40’s current territory to become part of Renton. This annexation prompted the Board of Commissioners of Fire District 40 to consider the future of the fire district and how to preserve a high quality of services to district residents.
Renton and Fire District 40 reached an agreement in February, 2008, for Renton to be the Fire and Emergency Services provider for all of District 40 in addition to the area that was annexed.
Annexation and Fire & Emergency Services
Annexation rarely impacts the level of fire and emergency services to residents. Response time and services will be the same as prior to annexation. After March 1, 2008, when any resident calls 911, the Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department will respond. Today, five city fire stations are staffed with a total of 25 people on duty 24 hours a day on four engine companies, one ladder company, three transport-capable medical aid cars, and one battalion chief. In March, the two Fire District 40 stations will still be used to provide response to the entire service area and residents in both areas benefit from the larger system of service. The City of Renton intends to close its Fire Station 13 at some time in 2008.
Annexation also means that property owners in Benson Hill will no longer pay Fire District 40’s property tax levy or benefit charge but will still pay the bond proceeds for the District’s new station. The city will assume all fire code inspection and enforcement as well as emergency management responsibility. New or renewed fire code permits after March 1 will be obtained from the city instead of the county.
Under state law, annexation will cause Fire District 40 to transfer about one third of its assets to the city within a year (based on the percentage of property that is annexed). State law allows firefighters to transfer employment to the annexing city.
Agreement Between Fire District 40 and Renton
The City of Renton and King County Fire Protection District #40 have approved a contract for Renton to be the Fire and Emergency Services provider for the entire Fire District as of March 1, 2008.
The governance of the Fire District will remain with Fire District 40 Board of Commissioners, who will continue to meet, provide policy guidance and provide oversight on behalf of District residents.
Highlights of the District and city’s agreement, reached in February 2008, include:
- The same level of service in Fire District 40, City of Renton and Fire District 25.
- The contract’s cost of services was based on a cost model that estimated the direct service costs to provide fire and emergency medical services and adding an overhead cost for department and city overhead percentages.
- The Fire District 40 Board of Commissioners will conduct an annual review of the operational service plan and budget for the service area.
- Effect of future annexations: if portions of the District annex in the future, both Renton and the District desire to maintain the level of service and will annually calculate the assessed valuation that is annexed by the city and deduct a proportionate amount from the estimated annual cost of service.
- If the cumulative total of annexations reaches 60% of the District, the Board may ask District residents to vote to transfer service responsibility and assets to the City of Renton.
- Renton’s Fire and Emergency Services Chief is the chief of District 40, and the contract is viewed as a partnership between the two governments with regular dialogue encouraged, including an annual meeting among board members, Mayor, Chief, and Deputy Chief.
- The agreement is for 20 years and if termination is desired before 2028, a 30-month notice of termination is required.
- All stations and assets remain in Fire District 40’s ownership and Renton will maintain the facilities. Major facility and equipment repair and replacement will be the responsibility of the District.