Battle Ground will switch its firefighting contractor from Clark County Fire & Rescue to Clark County Fire District 3 starting next year, but what that will mean for the 11 firefighters facing layoffs at Clark County Fire & Rescue in large part depends on the city’s next property tax valuation.
Fire District 3 Assistant Chief Scott Sorenson said the district will have at least 10 new positions available as it moves to take over fire duties from Clark County Fire & Rescue, and 13 people have applied with the district.
Sorenson said previously that the district intends to reserve any spots for lateral hires for applicants from Clark County Fire & Rescue.
“We did get an excellent list of applicants and we’re preparing that list now,” he said.
The district’s staffing plan depends on what its budget will be. The money for the contract with District 3 comes from Battle Ground’s general fund, which has multiple revenue sources including property taxes, sales taxes and utility taxes.
Battle Ground’s budget for the contract is calculated as $1.50 per $1,000 of the assessed property values in the city. Sorenson said the newest property value information won’t be available for several weeks.
Several administrators at Clark County Fire & Rescue also were let go as a result of the loss of the contract.
Clark County Fire & Rescue has been the city’s fire services contractor for 25 years and covers more than 160 square miles of unincorporated north Clark County, along with La Center, Ridgefield and Woodland.
A city committee reviewed proposals from both districts, Battle Ground spokeswoman Bonnie Gilberti said, and decided District 3’s offer, which included more services, was more enticing.