Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter, November 08, 2013

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Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH

Friday, November 8, 2013

www.issaquahreporter.com

Butler next mayor of Issaquah Callan leads Meryweather for school board

The overpacked Sammamish city council meeting Tuesday night, as people anxiously awaited City Manager Ben Yazici’s proposal regarding EFR.

BY LINDA BALL LBALL@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM

KELLY MONTGOMERY Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

LET’S MAKE A DEAL New cost-sharing plan proposed for fire service

BY KELLY MONTGOMERY AND LINDA BALL KMONTGOMERY@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM LBALL@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM

After waiting for more than three hours at the Sammamish city council meeting on Tuesday night, community members were relieved to finally hear city manager Ben Yazici’s proposal to the council, which was to remain partners with Eastside Fire and Rescue. “Considering how much public scrutiny this issue has received over the past year and a half, I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what the recommendation was going to be,” Yazici said. “I am happy to report to you tonight that we have made very substantial progress.” An ad-hoc committee was recently created to make progress on the issue. The committee includes Sammamish City Council member Don Gerend, Issaquah City Administrator Bob Harrison, Fire Commissioner Michael Fette from District 10, Chris Dahline from District 38 and Allen Go-

Dean deAlteriis, EFR Lieutenant and Sammamish resident, shows his anxiety over the complicated situation KELLY MONTGOMERY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

thelf from North Bend. They’ve only met twice — Nov. 2 and 4, but the committee did work out a suggested funding formula that they unanimously agreed to present to their respective agencies. This proposal was presented to the Sammamish city council Tuesday night and is based on an 85/15 funding model for all five EFR partners--a total of

nine fire stations. Under this plan, 85 percent of cost would be based on assessed value and 15 percent would be based on calls. However, 25 percent of the operating costs for fire station 81 in Pine Lake and station 72 by the Issaquah park and ride will be spread evenly throughout the partnership. The model would save the city of Sammamish approximately $412,000 annually after the first year. Although the estimated savings under the original plan was $491,000, Sammamish city council members said they are happy with the new proposal. Although everything will need to be formalized and approved by all the partners, Yazici said the ad-hoc committee’s proposal comes very close to meeting Sammamish’s cost-reduction goals and therefore his recommendation is for Sammamish to remain in EFR. “There’s no reason we need to spend days, weeks, months on this thing,” said Yazici. “Let’s get it done.” In order to move forward with the ad-hoc committee’s proposal,

“It was only when we threatened to leave that people started taking this seriously.”

- Mayor Tom Odell King County Fire District 10, District 38 and Issaquah have to approve the funding model by Dec. 15. North Bend has already signed on, and as the smallest station it is taking the biggest hit financially. While Yazici supported the proposal, he also made it clear that his recommendation is conditional and ultimately dependent on the EFR partners. “We’re not the bad guys here,” said councilmen John James. “We’re trying to bend over SEE EFR, 15

With update results in from King County elections, Fred Butler appears to be the mayor-elect for the city of Issaquah. Butler leads his opponent, Joe Forkner, with 3,375 votes or 75.83 percent. Forkner garnered 1,056 votes or 23.73 percent. Fred Butler “I’m a very happy person,” Butler said. “I take office in January, but obviously I have some ideas and things I’d like to accomplish. I’m going to rest a little, catch my breath and give some thought about my first 90 days and how to prioritize.” Butler said he fully intends to keep up with his current duties as president of the Issaquah City Council. He said transportation and human services need to be improved, noting that a conversation is needed about drug and alcohol use among teens in Issaquah. He also spoke of the need for a resolution to the situation with Eastside Fire and Rescue. Forkner said of the loss, it’s SEE ELECTION, 7


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