Fire authority wants budget input

SNOHOMISH COUNTY — A county fire authority is seeking public input for its 2010 budget during its upcoming meetings.

The North County Regional Fire Authority’s Board of Commissioners will be holding budget discussions during their public meetings, which take place the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

One of the main topics of discussion will be whether the fire authority, which currently operates under a fire levy and two separate emergency medical service levies, should run a new levy that would combine all of its current levies.

Taxing districts, such as the fire authority, pay thousands of dollars for each levy they run, said Chief Dale Fulfs.

“Our taxpayers will save money by not having to pay for multiple levy elections every couple of years,” he said.

The new levy could go to voters in August 2010, Fulfs said.

The Board of Commissioners’ next meeting will take place on Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the authority’s Warm Beach location (19727 Marine Drive, Stanwood).

The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 3002 252nd St. NE, Arlington, but that date could change because of Veterans Day, Fulfs said.

North County Regional Fire Authority serves more than 15,000 residents in north Snohomish County.

The authority was formed after voters approved the merger of two fire districts in 2007.

For more information, call 360-652-1246.

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