MONROE — Two Snohomish County fire districts have signed off on a proposed merger.
The merger of Fire District 3 in Monroe and Fire District 7 in Clearview now is scheduled for the primary ballot in August.
Monroe-area voters have to approve the merger before their fire district can be absorbed. The change does not require a vote from Clearview-area voters.
The merger is designed to protect the level of emergency service while reducing duplication, Monroe Fire Chief Jamie Silva said.
The proposal affects approximately 110,000 people living on 110 square miles along the Snohomish River. The new combined agency would oversee an annual budget of about $29 million. It also likely will get a new name to reflect the change.
If approved, the merger could start as early as October, officials have said.
Silva believes property owners in the Monroe district will see their fire taxes drop about 6.7 percent. No change in taxes is predicted for property owners in the Clearview district.
The two fire districts employ more than 130 firefighters.
Public meetings for Monroe voters are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 14 and 28 at Fire Station 31, 163 Village Court. Anyone with questions or comments also is encouraged to contact Silva at 360-794-7666 or jsilva@monroefire.org.
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