The Port Townsend City Council has directed city staff to begin negotiating a pre-annexation memorandum that would change the governance and taxing structure in the current interlocal agreement between the city and East Jefferson Fire-Rescue. The council unanimously approved moving forward with the process Monday, and City Manager David Timmons is expected to bring a preliminary agreement to the council in January. A levy to support annexation is expected to be on the August ballot. Currently, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue (EJFR) District 1 provides all fire and emergency medical services (EMS) to the city of Port Townsend and owns all the fire stations, including the station in uptown Port Townsend. It also employs all fire and EMS personnel.