Annexation
Questions about the future of fire service in Othello?
Adams County Fire District #5 (ACFD5) currently provides fire protection, rescue services, fire prevention, life-safety programs and fire marshal services to the City of Othello through a contract. The City and Fire District have worked together under this arrangement for more than two decades.
The current service contract expires in 2027. The City and Fire District are discussing annexation as a possible long-term approach for providing and funding fire and rescue services. Annexation has not been approved.
What is annexation?
Annexation would make the City of Othello part of ACFD5. City property owners would pay the Fire District’s levy directly and receive fire and rescue services as residents of the district rather than through a city contract. Under annexation, property owners in Othello and across the Fire District would pay the same fire levy rate.
Has annexation been approved?
No. The City and Fire District have signed a pre-annexation agreement that outlines how the transition would work if annexation is ultimately approved. Signing the agreement did not annex the City into the Fire District. Annexation can take effect only with approval from voters in both the City and Fire District.
Why are the City and Fire District discussing this?
The City has contracted with ACFD5 for fire and rescue services for many years. As the cost of providing those services has increased, maintaining the contract has placed more pressure on the City’s general fund, which also supports services such as police, parks and recreation, planning, and development.
Annexation would provide a more stable, long-term way to fund fire and rescue services. It would also give the City the opportunity to retain some or all of the property tax revenue currently used for the fire service contract to support other community priorities.
What would annexation cost Othello property owners?
Fire District property owners currently pay a fire levy of $0.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Under annexation, Othello property owners would pay that same levy rate directly to the Fire District.
The City Council determines whether, and by how much, to reduce the City’s general property tax levy in connection with annexation. The overall tax impact for Othello property owners depends on the amount of that reduction.
Would the City continue paying for fire service?
No. If annexation were approved, the City would no longer pay the Fire District through a service contract. Fire services would instead be funded directly through the Fire District levy paid by property owners throughout ACFD5. The City Council would determine how to address the property tax revenue currently used to help fund the fire service contract.
What happens next?
Annexation requires approval from the City Council and Fire District Board to place a measure on the ballot. The City and Fire District are currently discussing whether to place an annexation measure on the April 2027 ballot.
If a measure is placed on the ballot, it must pass in both the City of Othello and Adams County Fire District #5 before annexation can take effect.
Where can I learn more?
Residents are encouraged to follow updates from Adams County Fire District #5 and the City of Othello and attend public meetings as discussions continue. Contact Fire Chief Tom Salsbury at 509-488-2951 or City Administrator Aaron Garza at 509-488-5686 with questions.