Lacey City Council on Thursday rejected a Lacey Fire District 3 annexation request, ultimately deciding that the move did not show the right return on investment for the city.
“I’m in favor of the annexation, but not under the current financial conditions,” Councilman Jeff Gadman said.
Lacey Fire District 3’s annexation request is related to a capital facilities and equipment plan recently approved by the fire commission. The district plans to seek $19.5 million through a bond issue to make renovations and buy equipment for four of its five fire stations. Two of those stations are in the city, while two more are in Lacey’s urban growth area.
The district is already working with Thurston County on a redevelopment plan for its station on Steilacoom Road, Fire Chief Steve Brooks said Thursday, but if Lacey annexed Station 33 on Mullen Road into the city, then the district would have three stations in the city, making the building permit process more streamlined, Brooks said.