The cities of Camas and Washougal are asking voters to consider forming a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) that would make the current partnership permanent. An RFA is an independent agency to provide fire/EMS with one governing board representing residents in both cities collectively. The RFA would offer a higher level of service for residents, streamline operations, and provide a fairer and more cost-effective funding model for fire and emergency medical services. This proposal will appear on the April 22, 2025, special election ballot.
For nearly a century, Camas and Washougal have collaborated in delivering fire and emergency services, dating back to 1935 when Camas began offering ambulance service to Washougal. Since 2011, the two cities have operated under a trial consolidation and a temporary partnership established by an interlocal agreement in 2014. In the agreement, Camas maintains the fire department and Washougal contracts with Camas for emergency services.
The current structure is not an efficient way to run a fire department. As costs for emergency services increase, property owners in Camas and Washougal pay for fire service through the general property tax levy, reducing the revenue available for police, parks, streets, and other services. Placing the authority directly in the hands of residents through one governing body ensures that both Camas and Washougal continue to receive top-tier emergency services without sacrificing funding for other critical city functions.
Property owners would pay the RFA directly for services eliminating the cities as the intermediary. Most importantly, property owners in both cities would pay the same rate for service of $1.05 per $1,000. This ensures fairness and stability, as the costs are no longer divided between two cities with differing tax structures. This equal investment means there can be collaborative, long-term emergency services planning for both communities as they grow.
Higher call volumes are impacting response capacity and require more emergency personnel. The RFA would provide three-person engine companies (instead of two), enabling the first arriving engine to enter a burning building to rescue a victim instead of waiting for additional emergency personnel to arrive. It also provides more personnel in case of any emergency, such as wildland fires, motor vehicle accidents, technical rescues, multiple patient scenes, hazardous spills, and school emergencies. The RFA allows for saving money for fire engines, other emergency apparatus and equipment. It also would waive the co-pay for ambulance transports to area hospitals and allow us to seek a better community risk rating to help lower homeowner insurance premiums.
Financial Overview
Camas – The City of Camas currently has a property tax levy of $1.90 per $1,000 of a home's assessed value, which funds essential services such as fire, police, streets, parks & recreation, and the library. The proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) levy is $1.05 per $1,000. To offset this, the City of Camas plans to reduce its existing levy, resulting in a net increase of only $0.45 per $1,000 for homeowners. For a home valued at $650,000, this means an annual tax increase of $292.50, or under $25 per month for fire service in 2026.
Washougal – In Washougal a $583,000* home is considered the average. In 2026 under the current system, property owners would pay approximately $0.88 per $1,000 for fire services (which includes a $0.07 per $1,000 temporary levy) of the overall property tax levy of an estimated $1.55. The proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) levy is $1.05 per $1,000.
If the RFA is approved by voters, to offset this, the City of Washougal plans to reduce its general property tax levy by $0.81 in 2026 and $0.07 in 2027 when the temporary levy expires. This means property owners would pay an additional $0.24 per $1,000 for fire service in 2026. In 2027, that amount would be reduced to $0.17 per $1,000. For a home valued at $583,000 this means an annual tax increase of $139.92, or $11.66 per month, for fire service through the RFA in 2026. In 2027 that amount would be reduced to $99.11 per year, or $8.26 per month, when the temporary levy expires.
- *Calculations are the average assessed value of homes and not market value.
- All amounts are estimated based on current data as of 2025.
- The difference in cost increases between the cities is based on funding formulas from the interlocal agreement. Under the RFA, all property owners pay the same rate of $1.05/$1,000.
- Both cities have a levy for Emergency Medical Service. When these levies expire, the property owners would pay the RFA directly for this service.
- Voters in Camas and Washougal each approved a bond to build a new station within their city. The cost of these stations will be on their respective property tax statements until the debt is retired.
Voting Information
The Regional Fire Authority proposal will be on the ballot during the special election on April 22, 2025. Ballots will be mailed out on April 4, 2025.
More Information
Residents of both Camas and Washougal are encouraged to learn more about the proposal and its potential impact on their community before casting their votes.
For more information about the Camas-Washougal Fire Department, the Regional Fire Authority proposal, and the details of how it will affect taxpayers, visit:
Learn more about the Camas-Washougal Fire Department.
The Camas-Washougal Fire Department provides fire, fire suppression, technical rescue, emergency medical services and ambulance transport to approximately 50,000 people over 20 square miles. Emergency personnel currently respond to over 5,500 calls per year.
Media Contacts
Michele Loftus
City of Washougal Communications Manager
360-835-8501 x107
michele.loftus@cityofwashougal.us