The Mattawa City Council wants annexation with Grant County Fire District 8 because the fire district is increasing the fee the city pays for fire protection services. But fire officials said the agreement won’t benefit the district.
During a Feb. 18 meeting, council member Tony Acosta proposed annexation into the fire district. He said the idea was discussed in 2016, but at the time, the fire district commissioners weren’t in favor.
Barbara Davis, business manager for fire district and district secretary for the fire district board of commissioners, said it is the fire district’s understanding if the city were to be annexed into the fire district, the city would become part owner of the district’s assets.
“Currently, the commissioner board is not in favor of that,” Davis said. “They wouldn’t be paying for anything. It is not a benefit to us.”
Davis said in previous conversations with the city, the district suggested the city add a safety fee for fire and EMS services.